Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
James Fisher, one of 7 children, was the second born of 5 brothers,1 sister,1 deceased sibling gender unknown, he also had a half-sister. His father John Fisher was born at Green Lane, Harton, County Durham, in 1868, and married in the district of Tynemouth in 1891, Anne Linfoot, known affectionately as Annie, daughter of James and Margaret Ann Linfoot. The Linfoot family originated from Yorkshire where Annie was born in the district of Otley and baptised at Harewood, August 8th 1869. They had migrated to the north east post 1881 and became neighbours with the Fishers when James and his family moved into the parish of Hartley. James Linfoot had abandoned his employment as a game keeper and became the licensed victualer of the Beehive Inn, John was employed at Briardene Farm as an agricultural labourer where his widowed father, James, was farm steward, his unmarried aunt Isabella Fisher (65) lived with them, tending to household duties.
John and Annie settled at Hartley, he also took responsibility for her child Alice Linfoot (3) who by 1901 was listed as Annie Fisher along with his natural children, Fred born June 16th 1892 and James in 1894 at Earsdon, Albert 1896 at Percy Main, John William, July 24th 1899 at Benton, Annie Hilda, September 3rd 1900 at Warden and Arthur 1904 at Percy Main, all in Northumberland. In 1901 they were living at Warwick Grange Cottages, parish of Warden, where he was a stockman on a farm, possibly a holding belonging to widow Anna M Ridley the owner of Walwick Hall. Annie Linfoot-Fisher had married in 1907 in the district of Dewsbury, West Riding, Yorkshire, to Joseph Edwin Geldard. By 1911 John and Annie were living with all their children in 3 rooms at Howden Dene, Corbridge, near Hexham, Northumberland. He and Fred (19) were horsemen on a farm, James (16) a cow-man, John William (11), Annie Hilda (10) and Arthur (6) were scholars.
Prior to WW1 as a Territorial and Reserve force the Northumberland Hussars had been formed in 1907. They consisted of 3 lines, the 1st destined for service overseas, the 2nd for home service consisting of those unable or unwilling to serve and the 3rd to act as a reserve, trained to join the 1st and 2nd lines.
As Private 270416 James Fisher was assigned to serve with the 2nd/1st having enlisted in October 1914 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland. The 2nd Line was split in April 1916, A Squadron initially trained at Gosforth Park was sent to the coastal defences at Scarborough, B Squadron joined the 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division, C Squadron the 59th (2nd North Midland) Division. In February 1917 they were reassembled and became the only 2nd Line Yeomanry regiment to be sent overseas during WW1. Having landed at Le Havre in France they moved to Etaples, August 28th 1917, for training and trench familiarisation. Completed September 25th they amalgamated with the 9th (Service) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers as the 9th (Yeomanry Hussars) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. Upon his transfer Corporal Fisher was assigned the new service number 235818.
Corporal 235818 James Fisher 9th (Northumberland Hussars) battalion Northumberland Fusiliers was killed in action, October 24th 1918, and interred at Bermerain Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, grave A. 1. The cemetery is on the road that runs from Cambrais to Villers-Pol. James was 24 years of age and single.
At the request of his father all monies owed to him from the Army were assigned to his mother Annie, also his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal, sent to her at Pecks Houses Farm, Westerhope, Northumberland.
Fred, Albert and John William Fisher would also have been eligible to serve, however, only the record of John William has been found. He survived the conflict.
John Fisher died aged 84 years during the 1st quarter 1952, within 6 months his widow Anne (Annie) Fisher nee Linfoot died aged 82 years, both registered at Northumberland South.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
James Fisher is remembered at Whorlton on W53.01
