Louis Fish
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Louis Fish was the son of John Thomas and Louisa Fish (née Eaton). Louis' father John Thomas was born in Nottingham in about 1874 and was the son of John Thomas and Elizabeth Fish. In 1891 John (17) a coal miner, was living with his parents and siblings on Bobbersmill Road, Nottingham. His mother Louisa was born in Nottingham in 1876, the daughter of Walter Eaton and his wife Elizabeth (née Thoms). In 1891 the family was living on Huntingdon Street, Nottingham; Louisa (15) was a cigar maker. John Thomas and Louisa were married in 1898 and Louis was born the following year, 1899 (J/A/S Nottingham). Louis had three siblings: Ethel birth registered 1899 (J/F/M) John b. 1902 and Constance Mary (Connie) b. 1904. In 1901, Louisa, who was still working as a cigar maker, was living in Nottingham with her uncle and aunt, Henry and Mary Unwin (née Thoms). Louis (1) was recorded at Bobbersmill Road in the home of his paternal grandparents, John and Sarah Fish. Louis' sister Ethel (7 weeks) was in the home of George and Eliza Doar on Whitemoor Road, Nottingham, and described as a boarder. By 1911 Louisa, a cigar maker, was living on Grafton Road, Radford, with her children Louis, Jack (9) and Connie (7). Although Louisa included her daughter Ethel on the census return, Ethel was living with Henry and Mary Unwin, on Carlton Road Nottingham. Louis and his mother were living at 9 Hague Street, Nottingham, when he enlisted in the army in 1917 and he and his mother were still at the same address at the time of his death in 1920. Louisa married William Albert (k/a Albert) Westerman on 9 September 1916. Her husband had served in the Grenadier Guards (1894-1905 including Army Reserve) and had served in South Africa (1901-1902). In 1911 he was living with his parents, Henry and Eliza, at 20 Hague Street. Louisa died on 27 May 1933. In 1939 when the England and Wales Register was compiled, Albert Westerman was living at 20 Hague Street, Nottingham; he died in 1944.
Private Louis Fish attested on 6th July 1917 at Nottingham. He was 17y 344d old and working as a coal carter. He was living at 9 Hague Street, Radford, and his next of kin was his mother Louisa of the same address. Louis was posted to the Army Reserve the following day, 7 July. He was mobilised on 30th August 1917 and posted to the 15th battalion Durham Light Infantry. He landed in France on 2nd April 1918. His service record shows that he received a shell wound to his right foot but later suffered a gun shot wound to the head in the August. He was transferred to the UK on 31st August 1918 where he was treated at the 4th London General Hospital. Louis was demobilised on 11th February 1919. He claimed a disability pension as a result of the head injury and was assessed as having a 50% degree of disability (to be reviewed after 39 weeks); he was awarded a pension of 13 shillings and 9 pence a week with effect from 12 Februry 1919. Louis died in Nottingham General Hospital of meningitis following an operation for his injury on 8th January 1920. He was buried in Nottingham General Cemetery. He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Marriages’, 12 September 1916: Westerman-Fish. On September 9th, William Albert Westerman to Mrs Louise Fish (née Eaton)’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 9 January 1920. ‘Westerman (sic). On the 8th inst., at the General Hospital after an operation for gunshot wound to the head. Louis Fish dearly loved eldest son of Mrs Westerman, 9 Hague-street, Radford, aged 20. Peace after pain. Interment top end General Cemetery, 2.30 Tuesday.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 29 May 1933: ‘Westerman. On May 27th, Louisa, the beloved wife of Albert Westerman, and loving mother of Ethel, Jack, and Connie. Peace after pain.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) WW1 Pension Ledgers: named his mother, Louisa Fish (sic)
No Photos