Frank Fisher joined the AIF much later in life than many, aged 38. By this time, Frank already had 3 children to first wife Rosie Shilling: Willie, Frank and Doris. At the time of enlistment, Frank was married to Esme Fisher (nee Hayward). At his medical examination, it was noted that Pte Fisher had a scar on the right side of his back as well as an operation scar for a hernia, a tell tale sign of the indentured service that he had performed on Barambah Settlement.

Pte Frank Fisher was one of three men from Barambah who formed part of the “The Queensland Black Watch”, serving alongside his Indigenous brothers, John Geary and William Bert Brown, in the 11th Light Horse, 20th Reinforcements. Pte Fisher embarked from Sydney on the ship HMAT A38 Ulysses on the 19th December 1917 bound for the Middle East. He saw active service in a number of towns within the Middle East, along with some time spent confined to hospital.

Frank Fisher is the father of Frank “Bigshot” Fisher, an important figure in Cherbourg history, and the great grandfather of Cathy Freeman.

Archive Items For This Person

Barambah Cricket Team 1930

1930-05-05

1930, 1930s, cricket, Domination, Eddie Gilbert, Frank Fisher, Jack Daylight, Jack Malone, John Oxley Library, Sport, Stanley Alberts

1

The sports’ teams and their success are a great source of pride for the players and the people alike. From 1922, Barambah cricketers compete against local teams in social matches. In 1929, the Barambah Cricket Team join the Kilkivan-Murgon District Cricket Association. Their success is immedeiate. From 1933 to 1937, the Cherbourg cricket team is undefeated in the Murgon district competition. The team contains many gifted players, Frank Fisher, Jack Daylight, Eddie Gilbert and Stanley Alberts and   → View item

Barambah Aboriginal Settlement Rugby League Team 1925

1925-10-05

1925, Arthur Georgetown, Arthur Purcell, Betty McKenzie, Betty McKenzie Collection, Clive Duncan, Colin Sheridan, Consolidation, Dickie Dalton, Felix Saunders, football, Frank Fisher, green and gold, Hugh Ross, Jack Thomas, Joe Hegarty, John Gee Gee, Queensland Museum, Raymond Duncan, rugby league, Sport, William Hegarty, Willie Fisher

1

The Green and Gold team are the first team to play football for Barambah. Pictured are Clive and Raymond Duncan, Willie and Frank Fisher, William and Joe Hegarty, Hugh Ross, Dickie Dalton. Jack Thomas, Colin Sheridan, Arthur Georgetown, Felix Saunders, John Gee Gee and Arthur Purcell.   → View item

Barambah Aboriginal Settlement Rugby League Team 1925

1925-05-05

1920s, 1925, Adam Cobbo, Arthur Georgetown, Arthur Purcell, Betty McKenzie, Betty McKenzie Collection, Claude Willoughby, Clive Duncan, Colin Sheridan, Consolidation, Dick Dalton, Felix Saunders, football, Frank Fisher, Fred Martin, green and gold, Hugh Ross, Joe Hegarty, Johnny Gee Gee, Nathdaniel West, Norman Clarke, Queensland Museum, rugby league, Sport, Willy Fisher

0

Initially, Barambah rugby league teams are restricted to playing amongst themselves. They begin playing outside teams in social games from the mid-1920s. From 1929, the Barambah Rugby League team plays regularly in the South Burnett as well as in provincial matches against teams from Gympie, Nambour, Toowoomba, Maryborough and Bundaberg. They excell in competion.   → View item

Morning parade at Barambah Aboriginal Settlement c1920

1919-02-02

1910s, 1920s, Administration, Betty McKenzie, Betty McKenzie Collection, employment, Frank Fisher, Joe Hegarty, labour depot, office, parade, Queensland Museum, Segregation, superintendent, work

0

Every morning the men had to line up in front of the Superintendent’s Office and orders are issued. All men have to work – if they are not sent away to work, they work on the settlement. Frank Fisher stands at the front, he calls the men to attention. Joe Hegarty stands to his right. Men raise their hands when their names are called. Buildings in the background (from left) Old Men’s Quarters – burned down one night providing light for a corroboree, Hospital and Government Retail Store.   → View item

Frank Fisher First World War Soldier c1917

1917-16-08

1910s, Black Diggers, First World War, Frank Fisher, military service, Ration Shed Museum Archive, Segregation, soldiers, WW1

0

Enlisted: Brisbane, 16 August 1917 in the 28th Reinforcements to the 11th Light Horse Regiment. Embarked: Sydney on the troopship Ulysses, 19th December 1917. Landing at Suez, he is transferred to the 4th Light Horse Training Regiment at Moascar, Egypt, and eventually to the 11th Light Horse Regiment on 13th April 1918. Returns to Australia on the troopship Morvada, 20 July 1919.   → View item