John William Fisher one of 7 children, was the fourth 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, baptised August 13th at Long 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.

Upon the declaration of war, John William was a mere 14/15 years of age. Horseman, John William Fisher, Pecks Houses Farm, Westerhope, Northumberland, was mobilised August 24th 1917 and sent to the Army Reserve. Called to serve he enlisted at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, May 23rd 1918, assigned as Private 100539, aged 18 years 303 days. He was initially posted to the 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, then reposted to the 2nd Battalion, however whilst with his regiment in Germany again returned to the 9th Battalion, March 30th 1919.

The 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry at the time of the Armistice of November 11th 1918 was near Maubeuge and had joined the Allies’ march into Germany. June 8th 1919 Private Fisher was taken by the 7th Field Ambulance to Cologne where he was admitted for treatment, suffering from scabies. From there he was given leave to England but returned to his unit. He was examined at Bonn, January 4th 1920 claiming to be suffering from disability due to Army service. Private Fisher was discharged in England, March 15th 1920.

His brothers Fred, James and Arthur were also eligible for service during WW1, Private 235818 James Fisher 9th (Yeomanry Hussars) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers was killed in action, October 24th 1918.

John William Fisher married a lady by the name of Isabella born March 18th 1907. In 1939 they were living at 41, Garden Terrace, Seaton Valley, Northumberland, where he was employed as colliery motor driver.

His father 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