Name
Vallance Westover Turcock Fisher
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
631346
London Regiment
13th Bn. (Kensington’s)
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
Vallance Fisher was born on 15th June 1890 at Dover, one of three children born to Henry and Maria Fisher of 41 Clarendon Street, Hougham, Dover. The couple had two sons and a daughter and Henry worked as a Tailor’s Cutter. Vallance continued to live at Clarendon Street until the 1911 Census, and worked as a Shoemaker.
Vallance’s Service Record indicated that he had moved to Abbots Langley to work at the Leavesden Asylum as an Assistant Shoe and Boot Maker in 1911. His brother Henry also worked at the Asylum, and it is not known which brother came to Leavesden first, or whether they arrived together.
Vallance was recorded in the Hertfordshire Advertiser’s Leavesden Asylum Roll of Honour on 14th October 1914, having attested on 9th September 1914. He joined the 13th (Kensington) Battalion of the London Regiment and travelled to Kensington to be medically examined. He was first recorded in the Abbots Langley Parish Magazine Roll of Honour in November 1914, and was shown serving with the 13th London Battalion. The Kensington’s had mobilised in Abbots Langley in August 1914, and several local men joined up with the battalion. The battalion records showed that Vallance was scheduled to go to France with “A” Company of the Kensington’s, when they left for the Western Front in November 1914. However his name was struck through (deleted), suggesting that he didn’t join the draft. No explanation was given, and it is presumed that he remained in England, training with the 13th London battalion. His Service Record indicated that between 10th July 1915 and 14th October 1915 Vallance was attached to the 105th Provisional Battalion stationed at Richmond Park Camp in south London. Vallance requested a transfer to the Royal Field Artillery (RFA) at Stratford as he was “desirous of becoming a Gunner, and being with friends”. His application was approved on 24th September 1915 and on 15th October he was transferred to the 12th Brigade RFA.
On 22nd December 1915 he married Alice Dickinson at Abbots Langley, and the couple gave their address as 16 Railway Terrace, Abbots Langley.
Vallance’s Service Record does not show that he left England during the War, and on 12th October 1916 he was posted to the 320th Brigade RFA as a Driver. There are no indications of failing health, however on 25th February 1918 a letter in his Pension Record from 1st Eastern General Hospital at Cambridge, confirmed that it was recommended that Vallance be discharged, and it is presumed that he had attended a Medical Board at the Hospital.
On 15th March 1918 Vallance was discharged as being “Physically Unfit for War Service” due to suffering from Bronchitis, aggravated by Military Service. He was allocated a Silver Badge (to wear on his civilian clothes to indicate that he had been discharged from Service), and provided with a pension of 27/6d for four weeks, then 5/6d to be reviewed after 48 weeks. He was instructed to present himself for a Medical Review on 15th March 1919. He returned to 16 Railway Terrace, Abbots Langley.
Vallance Fisher survived the War, as did his brother Henry.
Note: Vallence’s Census Record and his Service Record indicated that his third name was Turcock. Two Christening Records show the name to be Lincock or Luscock. Turcock has been used here.
Additional Information
Formerley Private, Gunner, Royal Field Artillery
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
