Orders, Decorations and Medals

Ashantee 1873-74, 1 clasp, Coomassie (J. W. Fisher, M.D. Surgn. R.N. H.M.S. Decoy. 73-74) two edge bruises, otherwise good very fine £600-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals for the Ashantee War 1873-74.

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Collection

Ex Douglas-Morris Collection, October 1996, and Colonel Riddick Collection, September 2006.

Coomassie clasp is unique to H.M.S. Decoy. Although issued with a duplicate medal at some later date, this medal is engraved in the correct style and is almost certainly that originally issued to him.

James W. Fisher was born 24 October 1846. He first entered as an Assistant Surgeon on 14 January 1868 aboard H.M.S. Royalist until August 1871. Subsequently served aboard H.M. Ships Decoy (May-December 1873), Active (27 December 1873 to 21 March 1874 with the Naval Brigade) as a Surgeon, seniority back dated to 14 January 1868. He was present at every action of the Naval Brigade during the Ashantee Campaign. Mentioned in the despatches of both Naval and Military commanders in the field, and praised by the Principal Army Medical Officer, “Accompanied the left wing of the Naval Brigade at Amoaful, treating the numerous wounded with the greatest skill and care”. He was promoted to Staff Surgeon 2nd Class for services performed during the campaign and whilst under fire at Amoaful, with seniority dating from 31 March 1874.

Subsequently served in H.M. Ships Vanguard (1874-75) achieving the rank of Staff Surgeon whilst aboard Cruiser (1876-79), Ganges (1879-81), Iron Duke (1882) where he was promoted to Fleet Surgeon on 2 September 1882, and Audacious (1882-89). Served ashore at the R.M. Depot, Walmer (1889-92) and was promoted to Deputy Inspector General of Hospitals and Fleets on 30 May 1892, at Plymouth Hospital (1893-95) and Jamaica Hospital (1895-98).

Whilst serving at R.N. Hospital, Port Royal, Jamaica in 1895, during an outbreak of Yellow Fever, he was requested to join the Central Board of Health in place of the Principal Colonial Medical Officer who was absent on leave. Surgeon Fisher received the thanks of the Governor of Jamaica for his services to the Island during the epidemic. Promoted to Inspector General of Hospitals on 9 March 1898. He finally served once again at Plymouth Hospital (1898-1901) prior to his retirement on 18 February 1904, and received in 1910 one of only two Greenwich Hospital Pensions (£100 per annum) available to Inspector Generals. He died during 1920.