I wonder if anyone might be able to help me solve a mystery I am trying to solve for a bit of BBC D-Day coverage? I'm trying to find out what happened to a Trooper Jock Fisher (army number 7947470) who served in the 13/18 Hussars during D-Day. He's pictured in the stills here taken from uncut army footage filmed in Hulbert Road, Bedhampton, near Portsmouth on June 2nd 1944. He is shown near a group of Shermans showing a little girl and her muother the tanks. According the the note on the footage from the Imperial War Museum the unit is 'C' Squadron of the 13/18 Hussars. This appears to check out as C Squadron was the only squadron in the regt not equipped with Duplex Drive tanks. The tank with '75' on the rear of its turret would correspond with III troop with had a Firefly Sherman (no 75) plus three ordinary Shermans numbered 72,73 and 74. Jock Fisher's cap badge also seems to correspond with the shape of the 13/18 Hussars. I also think this type of lettering on the tanks may be unique to C squadron. I believe Jock Fisher survived the war as cross referencing his name and army number provides no matches on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website. However it would be great to know what happened to him after June 6th 1944 and after the war. Of course he may have passed on - he would be in his early 90s at least if he is still alive. I do know C Squadron was on Sword beach on June 6th but am interested in finding out anything about Jock Fisher and III troop's fate if anyone can help.
There are some on him much more knowledgeable than me on this subject but I have the regiments history (He's not mentioned in the index) and I have the regiments war diary for 1944. Happy to do some checking assuming you have neither and no one else helps. Andy
Hi Andy, I've been sent the war diary today by a really helpful member of the Armchair General forum so that's sorted. I don't have the regimental history though so if you have the time to have a look I'd really appreciate it. Cheers Richard
This is definitely 'C' Sqn 13/18 Hussars. The tank in front of No.75 is named 'CHALLENGER' as per IWM H38988. What puzzles me is I always thought 'CHALLENGER' was No.76, commander Lt Eric E. SMITH, 4 Tp Leader, who never mentioned a Tpr FISHER as part of his crew around D Day. Can you read the tank turret number on your footage? This could enable us to find who the tank commander was, and would tell us for sure which troop it was part of. A "Tpr FISHER '56" is mentioned in the 'C' Sqn War Diary as having been 'removed to hospital after nervous exhaustion' on the evening of June 20th, but then he's not your No.7947470 Jock Fisher. Michel
Hi Michel.. Thanks for posting. I'm afraid we can't read the tank turret number from the footage. The only one that shows up is 75. The footage is quite fleeting. Richard This is definitely 'C' Sqn 13/18 Hussars. The tank in front of No.75 is named 'CHALLENGER' as per IWM H38988. What puzzles me is I always thought 'CHALLENGER' was No.76, commander Lt Eric E. SMITH, 4 Tp Leader, who never mentioned a Tpr FISHER as part of his crew around D Day. Can you read the tank turret number on your footage? This could enable us to find who the tank commander was, and would tell us for sure which troop it was part of. A "Tpr FISHER '56" is mentioned in the 'C' Sqn War Diary as having been 'removed to hospital after nervous exhaustion' on the evening of June 20th, but then he's not your No.7947470 Jock Fisher. Michel
