“In the bottom cottage in the 3 on Baslow Road lived Mrs Fisher. To my brother and I there was no-one like her in the world, she had 3 sons at home and the youngest daughter Jess; 3 other daughters being out in service. Jess later became Mrs Joshua Tyzack - an affair of which I probably have more knowledge than any other living person! I loved the youngest son, Tom, and one of my earliest recollections of him (when I was about 3 years old) is of him taking me by the hand one dark winter’s evening and going to Ash Cottage where he milked a couple of cows for an elderly Mr and Mrs Hattersley.. When he took the milk to the house he was given about a half-gallon can of morning milk for his mother. I used to go with him when he was mowing and sit on his knees on the machine for hours at a time, while he mowed the land where Main Avenue, Rowan Tree Dell and all that property now stands.”
To me this conjures up a picture of a kind, gentle young countryman who was liked by all who knew him. Tom Fisher is my favourite of all the soldiers we researched and even though he has no known family to remember him he will not be forgotten. Tom's body was never found and he is one of over 7000 names of men with no known graves on the Cambrai Memorial at Louverval.
For their tomorrow, we gave our today.
18 comments:
nice post Rowan. Sleep well Tom.x
Leanne x
What a deeply touching post, dear Rowan. I sincerely appreciate that you shared a snapshot of Tom's life with us. He will definitely be amongst those nestled firmly in my thoughts tomorrow.
♥ Jessica
What a moving post. Its lovely that you will remember Tom today. xxx
We will remember them, always.
I've just read to Bob, with difficulty I must add, your heartfelt post on Tom Fisher.......in fact the last two quoted lines brought tears. What a great memorial to one who has no grave.....may Tom know he is not forgotten thanks to good people such as you dear.
My parents were married on this date in 1942 while in the RAF/WRAF, so it brings back memories of them also.
Rowan, re: your ? on my template, I don't know which one it is as I've used it for ever and Blogger has made so many changes! I think it was just one of the first 'classic' group when blogging life was simpler! I'm scared to go in and try to update to something else so just plod along with the same old, same old! Sorry I'm of no assistance - perhaps someone else who's more of a techie can help.
Hugs - Mary
A wonderful and poignant post. So many memories and so much sorrow. We will remember them.
I've just been looking at your book to read again the chapter on Tom Brown Fisher. Thanks to your research he, and all the others on the memorial, will be remembered.
Thanks to you and the others who wrote the book Tom will be remembered and not just a name on a memorial.
Rowan that is so moving,the horror of all thos young men going off from their homes to be slaughtered is so terrible.That soet of history brings the reality of war to us.RIP Tom and all the others so cruelly wasted.
Oh I love your post Rowan. How lovely that Tom is remembered and not forgotten. Having that testament from his old friend is wonderful. It just goes to show that when researching our own families how much we should treasure any Information we can get hold of whether oral or written that can in turn be handed down to our heirs.
Patricia x
How wonderful that you have not only remembered Tom, but made his life known to us too, so that he is not forgotten, on this day of all days. A very poignant piece.
I just read in the blog of someone that I follow, that he has been approached by an ex soldier with post traumatic stress syndrome and mental health issues resulting from it. I'm so appalled that we do so little for our ex soldiers when you think of the official care and concern shown by the USA to their veterans. Memorials are necessary but help for the living is also needed.
What a moving post. What a price the countless have paid. This is a wonderful tribute to Tom Fisher, so much a part of life and then gone. How wonderful that he is not forgotten. Leaves us with much to think about.
A privelge to read this D, very moving.
Hi Rowan, what a very moving post, Tom shall never be forgotten, thank you for sharing this heartfelt post. Greetings from Maine, Julie.
How wonderful that you were able to track this down Rowan, what a moving story & so lovely that it paints a picture of Tom. Hope you are keeping warm & dry x
I know I am now a little dated on commenting but this post reminded me that I finally got to see your book when down at Neil's house. The one sent out to South Africa never made it.
Beautiful, Rowan. He will never be forgotten now. I can see him with the can of milk, holding the little boy's hand...such a picture.
Post a Comment