b. 14/12/1911 Sheffield, Yorkshire. d. 12/04/1992 Rotherham, Yorkshire.
DATE AND PLACE OF GC ACTION: 26/04/1939 Sheffield, Yorkshire.
Bernard Fisher EM/GC was born on the 14th December 1911 in Sheffield, Yorkshire, the son of John Williiam and Harriet Fisher (nee Guest). At the age of 16, he decided on a career in the steel industry and became a crane driver. He remained in the steel industry for the whole of his working life, later becoming a crane foreman in 1954, a position he held until his retirement in 1974. He married Elsie Annie Wadsworth at St John’s, Rotherham in 1935. They went on to have a son named John.
Bernard Fisher GC
In the early morning of 26th April 1939, a fire broke out in the cabin of an electrically driven gantry crane at Steel, Peach & Tozer Ltd in Sheffield. The crane was running at a height of 55 feet above ground level. The driver, William Hird, shouted for help but then lost consciousness. Fisher, who was driving a travelling jib crane, heard the shouting and saw the fire. He promptly climbed from his own cab and ascended the ladder to the crane blazing cabin. He then carried Hird through a trapdoor and up a vertical ladder 12ft to safety. Fisher’s action, which was carried out at great personal risk, almost certainly saved Hird’s life. He told a reporter: “It was one of those things you do for a workmate without thinking of the danger.”
He was awarded the Edward Medal on 15th August 1939, and was invested at Buckingham Palace by King George VI on the 6th February 1940. He was also awarded a gold watch and chain by his colleagues in the steel industry. Just before he retired from the steel industry, he was invested with the George Cross on 17th July 1974 having chosen to exchange. He presented his Edward Medal to the Clifton Park Museum in Rotherham. He died on the 12th April 1992 in Rotherham aged 80. His GC is privately held.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: PRIVATELY HELD.
BURIAL PLACE: ROTHERHAM CREMATORIUM, ROTHERHAM.
ASHES SCATTERED IN SPRING SECTION OF GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE.
Acknowledgement:
Marion Hebblethwaite – Image of Bernard Fisher GC.