Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Alexander Morson Fisher, known as Morson, was a twenty-one year old school teacher when he joined the AIF in April 1916. He had left his posting at Barrington School, via Dungog on 17 March 1916, and visited his family home at Munni, via Dungog, before he proceeded to camp.
On Wednesday 29 March 1916 Morson attended a community farewell for another local who had also enlisted, Cpl. Richard Tighe. Morson stated that, ‘he was proud to be going, and would be prouder still when came home again’. He thought he had as good a reason for staying at home as many about, but he considered reasons should be put aside and all who are fit go’. It was reported in local newspapers that three cheers were called for Pte Fisher.
A large numbers of friends and family gathered at the Fisher family home at Munni on Wednesday 5 July 1916. Morson was home on his final leave. At his farewell he was recognised as a thorough sport and gentleman. The general feeling of those gathered was that when Morson got to the other side of the world, he would make his presence felt. He was presented with an auto strap razor set.
Morson responded after the presentation and said that, ‘it was extremely difficult to make a speech on such an occasion’. He added that, ‘he felt the time had come for him to answer the call’ and ‘hoped he would be spared to come back safely’.
William Fisher, Morson’s father, also spoke and stated that, ‘he was indeed a proud man. He was glad his boys had enlisted’ and he thought that, ‘if every young man answered his country’s call there would be no need for recruiting Sergeants’ (Richard Fisher, service number 1646, an older brother of Morson had also enlisted in January 1916).
Morson’s enlistment form indicates that he was 5’ 10” tall and weighed 146 pounds. He had been a member of the militia for six months but had resigned. He was assigned to 36th Battalion, 9th Brigade, 3rd Division
He embarked from Sydney on 4 September 1916 as a ‘voyage only’ sergeant and reverted to ranks when he disembarked at Plymouth on 29 October 1916. He was posted to the staff of 9 Training Battalion. Later he was promoted to corporal.
Morson was eventually taken on strength to the 36th Battalion on 1 September 1917 and posted to 16th Platoon ‘D’ Company. This unit was held in reserve for the Battle of Broodseinde on 4 October 1916.
It has been recorded that a week later, on 12 October 1917, in appalling conditions, Morson went forward into the swampy wilderness of the Passchendaele battlefield. Without effective artillery cover the attacking units were cut to pieces. Morson was killed early in the advance in his first encounter. His body was never recovered.
The ground was held.
Morson was originally reported as missing. It was ascertained, through the work of the Australian Red Cross, that Morson was killed by a high explosive shell. Death had been instantaneous. His comrades described him as fair, clean shaven and nick-named “Annie”.
In February 1918, his mother wrote to Major J M Lean, Officer-in-Charge Records that she had received word from other families with sons at the front that Morson had been wounded, but not seriously, and had been taken to hospital. She wrote that it was an anxious time for her. Morson’s service record notes that on 4 April 1918 a Court of Enquiry determined that Morson had been killed in action on 12 October 1917.
Morson was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Alexander Morson Fisher is commemorated at the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belguim on Panel 29. His name is also included on the Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial, Canberra at Panel 126.