Fisher, William Robert (Able Seaman, b.1924 - d.1945)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of PM5357 Able Seaman William Robert 'Bill' Fisher, HMAS Australia, Royal Australian Navy, c 1943-1946.

Wallet 1 of 1 - Consists of two folders of material relating to Able Seaman Fisher.

Folder 1 of 2 contains one postcard and three letters from Able Seaman Fisher to his mother, Mrs Sarah Daphne Cobden, dated c 1943-1945. In his correspondence to his mother, Able Seaman Fisher writes of his experiences of service in HMAS Australia. Some of these experiences include participation in a sports day, having a lack of work due to rain, spending two hours in jail, sending photographs home, and having a slight cold. He also sends messages to pass on to other family members.

Folder 2 of 2 contains letters and documents relating to the death of Able Seaman Fisher. It consists of:
1x Telegram from the Department of the Navy to Able Seaman Fisher’s mother, Mrs Sarah Daphne Cobden, Melbourne, 25 January 1945. Telegram informs Mrs Cobden that her son was missing, presumed killed.
1x Letter from the Department of the Navy to Mrs Cobden, Melbourne, 2 February 1945. This letter expresses sympathy and refers to helpful notes.
1x Letter of condolence from Commanding Commodore of His Majesty’s Australian Squadron to Mrs Cobden, Philippines, 4 February 1945
1x Letter of condolence from a Commodore of the Royal Australian Navy to Mrs Cobden, Perth, 10 February 1945
1x Letter of condolence from Ms Maud Delaney to Able Seaman Fisher’s mother, Mrs Cobden, Camberwell, Victoria, 23 February 1945
1x Certificate of Death of Able Seaman Fisher, issued 27 February 1945
1x Letter from the Department of the Navy to Mrs Cobden, Melbourne, 2 March 1945. This letter informs Mrs Cobden of the arrangements relating to Able Seaman Fisher’s estate.
1x Will of Able Seaman Fisher, signed 5 May 1943
1x List of effects of Able Seaman Fisher
1x Letter from Captain J M Armstrong to Mrs Cobden, HMAS Australia, 8 March 1945. This letter relates to a commemoration service for men of HMAS Australia and Arunta that lost their lives in the Leyte and Lingayen actions.
1x Letter from the Department of the Navy to Mrs Cobden, Melbourne, 29 March 1945. This letter relates to the estate of Able Seaman Fisher.
1x Letter from the Captain of HMAS Penguin to Mrs Cobden, Sydney, 28 April 1914. This letter relates to the return of effects of Able Seaman Fisher.
1x Letter from the Department of the Navy to Mrs Cobden, Melbourne, 15 September 1945. This letter relates to the sales of some effects of Able Seaman Fisher.
1x Entitlement to War Gratuity relating to Able Seaman Fisher, 20 November 1946
1x Notes for Information of Next-of-Kin
1x Letter from Directorate of Graves Registration, Melbourne. This letter requests the recipient to complete a form in order to commemorate those that lost their lives.

Able Seaman William Robert Fisher enlisted to the Royal Australian Navy on 3 February 1943. After a period of training on HMAS Cerberus, he was posted to HMAS Australia in July 1943. With HMAS Australia, Able Seaman Fisher participated in the bombardment of enemy held islands in New Guinea, the Netherlands East Indies, and the Philippines. On 6 January 1945, while involved in action in the Lingayen Gulf, Philippines, HMAS Australia was targeted by Japanese Kamikaze attack. Able Seaman Fisher was killed. He is commemorated at Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon, United Kingdom.