- Contributed by听
- Chris Wood
- People in story:听
- Edmund Fisher (fka Bagnall)
- Location of story:听
- Kohima, Burma
- Background to story:听
- Army
- Article ID:听
- A2614367
- Contributed on:听
- 08 May 2004
My Dad was a regular soldier in the Manchester Regiment from 1929 to 1945. He served in India, Palestine, Jamaica & Bermuda, Egypt. He was at Dunkirk and also in Burma.
He was at the battle of Kohima and was mentined in dispatches for his bravery. The reccommendation read as follows -:
On the morning of 28th. May 1944 Sgt. Fisher was present with the platoon of which he was PI Sgt in an Infantry Battalion defensive position on Aradura Spur, when the enemy attacked the area.
At the time the platoon were adjusting their machine guns and ammunition loads on their backs preparatory to moving. One of the platoon, Private Tate, was wounded in the thigh by Jap LMG fire. Sgt. Fisher immediately left the weapon pit in which he had taken cover and with complete disregard of the enemy's fire which at that time was very heavy, he walked over to Pt. Tate and having applied his field dressing, carried him back to the safety of a trench.
Later whilst still under LMG fire and grenade fire Sgt. Fisher personally evacuated the wounded men of his platoon to the Regimental Aid Post.
Sgt. Fisher has shown great coolness and courage under fire on all occasions, and has carried out his duties as platoon sergeant in an exemplary fashion. On this particular occasion he was a great inspiration to his platoon under very difficult circumstances. His standard of leadership and technical ability have for a long period set a high standard for his platoon and company.
I recommend that Sgt. Fisher be awarded the Military Medal. R. King-Clark. Major Commanding 2 Manch. Regt. 30th. June '44. end.
Unfortunately the recommendation for the Military Medal was downgraded to a Mention In Dispatches.
Dad was reunited with Pt. Tate in the '80s and it was a very emotional reunion.
My Dad was a POW for brief period but escaped.
He was very proud to have been a regular soldier and of the Regiment in which he served. He held no grudges or bitterness against his former enemies. My Dad died in 1992 and I miss him every day. He is MY HERO.
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