Gerald Fisher was born in Sarnia on March 24, 1920, the son of Walter Frederick Fisher and Margaret Rosabelle (nee McLean) Fisher, of the 4th Concession of Sarnia Township. Gerald was born on the 10th line of Enniskillen Township. He had three sisters: Dolores (born 1910), Beulah Sarah (born 1913) and Gwendolyn (born 1924). At the time of Joseph’s death, his sisters were then: Mrs. Fred Evoy, of Norwich; Mrs. H.G. MacColl, of Petrolia; and Gwendolyn Fisher, in Sarnia. Joseph also had four brothers: Andrew Clayton (born 1915, who at the time of Joseph’s death was a Sergeant serving with the RCAF overseas); Donald Cleone (born 1919); Arlie Eugene (born 1926); and Wayne George (born 1931).

Single at the time, Gerald enlisted in the Canadian Army in September 1942. He listed his occupation at the time as a farmer. Private Gerald Fisher went overseas in March 1943, on his 23rd birthday, as a member of Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps 22 Field Ambulance. In late March of 1944, parents Walter and Margaret Fisher in Sarnia Township would receive a cablegram from their son Joseph Gerald in which he stated that he was “fine and hopes to soon be home again.” Less than three months later, Gerald would be part of the landing force on Normandy, France on D-Day.

About three months later, on September 5, 1944, Gerald was wounded during fighting in France. The next day, September 6, Gerald Fisher would lose his life as a result of his wounds in a hospital in France, ten hours after an operation made necessary by injuries caused by enemy shellfire the previous day. Joseph Gerald Fisher would later be officially listed as, Overseas casualty, died of wounds received in action, in the field (France). On October 22, 1944, an Honour Roll, bearing the names of the men and women of the London Road West United Church congregation serving in the forces was unveiled and dedicated at a service there. At the same ceremony, a special memorial service was also held for Private Joseph Gerald Fisher, R.C.A.M.C. who died in France in the previous month.

In late October of 1944, parents Walter and Margaret Fisher in Sarnia would receive messages of condolence in the death of their son, Private Gerald Joseph Fisher, from the officer commanding the 22nd Canadian Field Ambulance unit and from the commander of his section. Captain J.W. Latimer, in a letter written on September 11 said,

 By this short note I wish not only to convey to you my deepest sympathies but those of this entire unit and particulary of those members of my section in the loss of your son, Gerald Joseph. I will try also to give you a few details of the incidents which led up to his being wounded.

 Gerald had been a member of my section for many months in England. He was held in high esteem by all the men and I was proud to have him under my command, not only because he was efficient at his work but also because he was an example to others. I was pleased to put him in charge of a squad long before the invasion. We crossed the channel together, landed on the beach together in France on D-Day and he has been with me ever since.

 On September 5 we were travelling in a convoy along a highway when suddenly enemy shelling broke loose among our vehicles. I was riding in the rear of the convoy and saw the shells landing a short distance ahead. I immediately got out of my vehicle and ran up to where the shells had landed. The other members of my section had already managed to get Gerald and several others who were wounded into a ditch. I immediately dressed his wounds and gave him morphine to relieve his pain. We carried him to a nearby house where I administered “Plasma transfusion” to him. He was immediately sent back by ambulance to the hospital.

 The wound he received was caused by a shell fragment which struck him in the back of the chest. On reaching hospital he was given blood transfusions and was operated on by a surgical specialist. Everything that could possibly be done for him was done and he was never allowed to have pain after he received his wound. He passed away about 10 hours after the operation.

 Your son and I were very good friends, Mr. Fisher, and I feel your loss very deeply myself. We had been through many actions together in the past three months. I considered him one of my bravest men and he was always there when duty called, regardless of the personal risk involved. He brought relief to many of his wounded comrades and I feel sure that save for his work and skill more Canadian lives would have been lost. He died as he lived, unselfishly, bravely and a good soldier.

Lieut. Col. M.R. Caverhill, officer commanding the C.F.A. unit, added this testimonial;

Your son was an excellent soldier, well liked by his companions and the officers of the unit, and had carried out his duties with the utmost faithfulness since landing in France on D-Day.

Twenty-four year old Gerald Fisher is buried in Calais Canadian War Cemetery, Leubringhen, France, Grave 1.B.12. On Joseph Fisher’s headstone are inscribed the words, Our darling son is sheltered by the rock of ages. Anchored on God’s golden shore.

SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, L, N, 2B, 2C, 2D