Service dress jacket : Sergeant A Fisher, 4 Light Horse Regiment, AIF

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Accession Number RELAWM17393.001
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Uniform
Physical description Oxidised brass, Plastic, Steel, Wool twill
Maker Unknown
Date made c 1916-1919
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Description

Australian Army Other Ranks pattern unlined khaki woollen twill service dress jacket with stand and fall collar. Oxidised brass Rising Sun (general service) badges are secured on the front of the collar with brass split pins. The tunic is fastened at the front with five brown plastic buttons, and a a brown metal press stud at the collar. The front of the tunic has four patch pockets: the breast pockets are box pleated with a pointed flap, and the lower pockets are larger with expandable sides, and a pointed flap. All the pockets are secured with brown plastic buttons. The self fabric waistband is integral to the tunic. The buckle on the waistband has been removed, and the remaining tongues of fabric have been shortened and sewn under the front opening. The shoulder straps are secured at the collar end with a small brown plastic button, and carry voided curved 'AUSTRALIA' titles in oxidised brass. The rectangular colour patches on both shoulders are those of 4 Light Horse Regiment, and should be pale blue over dark blue, but the colours have faded so they now appear to be white over purple. Brass ANZAC 'A's are fitted to each patches, and traces of the original colour of the colour patches can be seen beneath the 'A's where they shaded the fabric. There are woven chevrons for a sergeant on the upper right sleeve. There are four blue and one red overseas service chevrons above the right cuff. The lower left sleeve carries a gold Russia Braid wound stripe. Both of the cuffs have been crudely modified and no longer have buttons.

History / Summary

Albert Fisher was born at Cheltenham, Victoria, in 1872. He served in the Boer War as a private, service number 101, with the 1st Victorian Contingent, which arrived in South Africa in 1899. When the Contingent returned to Australia in 1900, Fisher remained behind, serving with the South African Constabulary. His date of return to Melbourne is not known. He served in the militia, with the Victorian Rangers, for six years before 1914.

Fisher enlisted for service in the First World War at Broadmeadows, Victoria, on 18 August 1914. He was assigned the service number 105 and posted as a corporal to A Squadron, 4th Light Horse Regiment. The regiment sailed for Egypt on 19 October, aboard HMAT A18 Wiltshire. After training in Egypt the regiment arrived on Gallipoli in May 1915. Fisher was promoted to sergeant on 29 July. On 20 October he was sent to Imbros to act as a guard for the General Officer Commanding's staff. He returned to Gallipoli on 19 November, then returned with his regiment to Egypt in December.

At the beginning on March 1916 Fisher was admitted to hospital in Heliopolis with a mild hernia. Once recovered, he rejoined his regiment at Tel-el-Kebir, on 26 April. In July 1917, he was transferred to the 4th Light Horse Training Regiment (Cadre Staff) at Moascar, North Egypt, and was promoted to temporary squadron sergeant major in October.

Reverting to the rank of sergeant, Fisher rejoined his regiment at Belah in Palestine, in February 1918. He sustained a gunshot wound to his right hand on 4 May during the Es Salt raid, and was subsequently mentioned in despatches for 'conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in the defence of Black Hill, Jordan Valley' between 1 and 4 May. He was evacuated to Egypt for treatment and rejoined the regiment on 19 June. On 20 July, near Jericho, Fisher fractured a number of ribs, apparently as a result of a fall or horse kick, rather than enemy action. He was again evacuated to Egypt.

Fisher saw no further active service and returned to Australia on Anzac leave on 22 December. He was discharged from the army on 2 April 1919.