Frederick John Russell Fishley was born 11 May 1887 in West Brompton, London, the eldest of the four children of Frederick Davay Fishley (1865-1915) and Sarah Jane Fishley née Russell (1866-1932). His birth was registered in the 2nd quarter of 1887 in the Fulham registration district. On 23 July 1887 he was baptised at St Peter's Church, Fulham, where the baptismal register shows the family were living at 191 Lillie Road, Fulham and that his father was a clerk.
The 1891 census shows him living in four rooms at 41 Afghan Road, Battersea, with his parents and brother, Henry George Fishley (1891-1916). His father's occupation was recorded as a brass finisher's foreman. In the 1901 census he is shown as living at 59 Eversleigh Road, Battersea, with his parents and two brothers: Henry and Sidney Arthur Fishley (1892-1970) His father continued to be shown as a brass finisher's foreman.
When his father completed the 1911 census return form he was described as a clerk employed by Pearl Insurance, living in four rooms at 27 Landor Road, Stockwell, Clapham, with his parents, three brothers: Henry, Sidney and Leonard William Fishley (1901-1991), together with his maternal grandmother, Jane Ball née Richards née Russell (1841-1912). His father described himself as a janitor at a music hall.
On 20 September 1913 he married Gertrude Elizabeth Arundell (1891-1970) at All Saints Church, Hatcham Park, Lewisham, where the marriage registers show him as a clerk living at 4 Nettleton Road, New Cross Gate and his wife was listed at the same address. The registers also show that his wife's sister, Florence Maud Arundell (1890-1950) was married at the same time to a Jason William Finch (1889-1966).
On 27 February 1916 their daughter, Vera Adie Gretrude Fishley (1916-2003) was born and she was baptised on 15 March 1916 at All Saints Church, Hatcham Park, where baptismal registers shows the family still residing at 4 Nettleton Road and his occupation was recorded as an insurance clerk.
He enlisted in Lewisham as a Private in the 1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment, service number 9570, and when Territorial Force service numbers were changed in 1917 he became 269584 in the 3rd Battalion Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment. He had gained promotion to the rank of Corporal when he died, aged 31 years, on 17 October 1918 at one of the Croydon War Hospitals. His death was registered in the 4th quarter of 1918 in the Croydon registration district.
He was buried on 24 October 1918 in Plot A, Grave 1850 in the Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries, 113 Brockley Grove, London, SE4 1DZ, where he is commemorated on the Screen Wall. On 25 January 1919 his army effects totalling £8-3s-2d were sent to his widow who was also sent his £12-0s-0d war gratuity on 3 December 1919. He was posthumously awarded the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal.
He is also commemorated on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website, the Imperial War Museum Lives of the First World War website and the Lewisham War Memorials website.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
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