Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Joseph Fisher, a framework knitter, born 1857 in Sneinton, Nottinghamshire and his wife Fanny Fisher (nee Woolman, married on the 24th May 1885 in St. Luke’s Church, Sneinton, Nottinghamshire), born 1864 in Kibworth, Leicestershire. William Woolman was born in the 1st quarter of 1885 in Sneinton, and was baptised on the 14th February 1886 in St. Philip’s Church, Sneinton, his siblings were, John, a schoolboy, born 1887 in Sneinton, and was baptised on the 13th March 1887 in St. Philip’s Church, Sneinton and Charles, born in the 2nd quarter of 1891 in Kibworth, in April 1891 William was absent from the family home in Leicester Road, Stonton Wyville, Leicestershire, William was a schoolboy and was residing at Leicester Road, Stonton Wyville, in the family home of his maternal grandfather, William Woolman, a lamp lighter, born 1819 in Leicestershire and his wife Mary Woolman (nee Loveday, married in the 3rd quarter of 1859 in the Market Harborough, Leicestershire district), born 1831 in Leicestershire. In March 1901 William was employed as a domestic servant and was residing in the family home at Carlton Road, Kibworth Harcourt, Leicestershire together with his father, a hosiery trade worker, his mother and siblings, John, a hosiery trade worker, Charles, Mary Alice, born 1892, Arthur Frederick, born 1894, Thomas Henry born 1897, Frank Reginald, born 1899 and George Edward, born 1901, the latter five siblings were all born in Kibworth, also residing with the family was William’s maternal Uncle, Arthur Woolman, a general labourer, born 1873 in Leicestershire. In April 1911 William was employed as a framework knitter and was residing in the family home at Albert Street, Kibworth Harcourt, together with his father a framework knitter, his mother and siblings, Thomas, a farm labourer, Frank, a schoolboy, Albert Edward, born 1902, a schoolboy and Harold Joseph, born 1905 the latter two siblings were both born in Kibworth. William’s younger brother Charles died in 1918.
The War Diary records: 13 Oct-15 - At 6.00am Battn in place in RESERVE trench. At 12.00 noon bombardment of enemy trench FOSSE 8 commenced. At 1.00pm smoke and gas turned on until 1.50pm. At 2.00pm assault. 5th Battn LINCOLNSHIRE REGT and 4th Battn LEICESTERSHIRE REGT advanced in lines of platoon at 50 paces distance against HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. 4th Battn LINCOLNSHIRE REGT attacked from 2nd line followed by the MONMOUTHSHIRE REGT. REDOUBT captured but lines checked and stopped by machine gun fire from MAD POINT, MADAGASCAR, and SOUTH FACE, also heavy rifle fire FOSSE and DUMP TRENCH. First two lines as almost all Coy officers became casualties. REDOUBT and half of NORTH FACE was held – LITTLE WILLIE and BIG WILLIE still in enemy hands. At 3.00pm B Coy sent up to reinforce centre and left of REDOUBT followed by A and part of D Coy’s. Machine guns in position along original front line now held by C Coy and parts of other regiments. Considerable progress made along LITTLE WILLIE by grenade party under Lt C. H. F. WOLLASTON. Ground lost again owing to lack of grenades. At 5.30pm ground now held consisted of front face of REDOUBT and up to LITTLE WILLIE and point 60. Remainder of REDOUBT untenable by either side. 138th Brigade relieved gradually by 139th Brigade. 138th Brigade hold original front line trench. Many of A and B Coy’s still remained in the REDOUBT during the whole of next day.
On Friday October 29th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL WAR ITEMS.” – KIBWORTH. - MEMORIAL SERVICE. A memorial service for Lance-Corpl. Wm. Fisher (signaller), of the 5th Leicesters (T.F.), who was killed in action on October 13th, was held at the Parish Church on Sunday morning, the service being conducted by the Rev. E. S. B. Fletcher, who spoke in eulogistic terms of Corpl. Fisher, and explained the hope that all would realise the great debt of honour due to the lads who had so bravely and nobly laid down their lives in doing their duty to King and country. The local Boy Scouts Troop of which Corpl. Fisher was assistant scoutmaster, attended, together with the Fleckney Troop, under District Scoutmaster W. H. Lord, and the members of the local Training League, under Commandant Langmere. The organist (Mr. Barrows) played the Dead March, and the National Anthem was sung at the commencement of the service.