FISHER, John James Henry

John, the Licensee of the Imperial Hotel at Inverell, enlisted in July 1916. He stated he was born in Victoria and claimed his age as forty four years, when in fact he was seven years older. His previous military experience was recorded as having been a member of the Quirindi Rifle Club and that he had two marksman’s certificates. A ‘Send Off’ was held for him at the Inverell Council Chambers when he was presented with the Inverell Medal and some socks.

John departed Australia with the 34th Battalion, 4th Reinforcement on HMAT A30 Borda in October 1916, leaving his wife Annie to manage the Hotel during his absence. After a long voyage of fifteen weeks, due to quarantine restrictions following a measles outbreak, he arrived in England where his Battalion spent three months training before being sent to France in April 1917. A year later he was ill with Trench Fever and invalided back to England for treatment at the Duchess of Connaught’s Red Cross Hospital. He was returned to Australia and medically discharged. Just a few weeks later John re-enlisted, was assigned to the Tropical Forces and sent to Rabaul. After almost a year there he returned to Australia and medically discharged in September 1919. Shortly after, he and his wife disposed of their interest in the Inverell Imperial Hotel.

John died in Sydney in 1948. His name is recorded on the Inverell Honor Roll.