William Nicholson Fischer (3 October 1883 – 15 October 1917) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL). He was killed in action in Belgium in World War I.
| Bill Fischer | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | William Nicholson Fischer | ||
| Date of birth | 3 October 1883 | ||
| Place of birth | Kilmore, Victoria | ||
| Date of death | 15 October 1917 (aged 34) | ||
| Place of death | Passchendaele salient, Belgium | ||
| Original team(s) | Tatura | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1909 | Melbourne | 1 (0) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1909. | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Family edit
One of the six children of Henry and Isabelle Fischer, née Mathieson, he was born at Kilmore, Victoria on 3 Oct 1883. He attended Kilmore State School.[citation needed]
Football edit
Recruited from Tatura, he played his first and only senior game for Melbourne against Carlton, at the MCG on 29 May 1909 (round nine).[1] It was a close match until three-quarter time, when Carlton drew away to win by 23 points, 12.8 (80) to 8.9 (57).[2][3]
Soldier edit
His brother, also an excellent footballer, Henry Mathieson Fischer (1880–1960), had served in the Boer War,[4] and became a policeman, retiring as the officer in charge of the police station at Hawthorn, Victoria.[5]
Bill Fischer enlisted in the First AIF on 13 December 1915, giving his occupation as draper—he had been working in Kyabram prior to his enlistment[6]—and his status as single. He was promoted to sergeant on 9 July 1917.
Death edit
He was killed in action, serving with the 8th Brigade Australian Field Artillery, during the Battle of Passchendaele on 15 October 1917, and is buried at the Potijze Chateau Grounds Cemetery, Belgium. His name is located at panel 15 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial.
See also edit
Footnotes edit
- ^ Football: An Interesting Match: Carlton v. Melbourne, The Argus, (Saturday, 29 May 1909), p.19.
- ^ Observer, "A Strong Carlton Finish: Pleasant Game at Melbourne", The Argus, (Monday, 31 May 1909), p.19.
- ^ League Matches: Carlton (12.8) Beat Melbourne (8.9) The Age, (Monday, 31 May 1909), p.6.
- ^ Australian War Memorial: Boer War Nominal Roll – Henry M Matheison Fischer (1603)
- ^ Personal, The Argus, (Tuesday, 23 July 1940), p.4.
- ^ (Mr. W. Fischer), The Kilmore Free Press, (Thursday, 24 March 1910), p.2.
References edit
- Died on Service: Fischer, The Argus, Tuesday 20 November 1917), p.1.
- Australians on Service: Killed: Fischer, , The Argus, Tuesday 20 November 1917), p.6.
- Obituary: Corporal (sic) William N. Fischer, The Kilmore Free Press, (Thursday, 22 November 1917), p.3.
- Local and General (Obituary), The Broadford Courier, (Friday, 23 November 1917), p.2.
- Died on Service: Fischer, The Argus, Saturday 24 November 1917), p.11.
- Australian Casualties: Lists Nos. 367 and 368: Victoria: Killed in Action (Fischer, Sgt. W. N., Kilmore, 15/10/17), The Argus, (Tuesday, 11 December 1917), p.5.
- In Memoriam: On Active Service: Fischer, The Argus, (Wednesday, 15 October 1919), p.1.
External links edit
- Bill Fischer's playing statistics from AFL Tables
- Australian World War I Service Record: William Nicholson Fischer (19761)
- Demonwiki Biography: Bill Fischer
- Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour – William Nicholson Fischer (19761)
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission: Casualty Details: Fischer, William Nicholson (19761)