William Fisher, like most heroes, was a modest man, who spent most of his working life in Southampton Docks, the scene of his incredible bravery, which he self-effacingly described as “the least I could do.’’ At the age of 33, William became one of the first recipients of the medal instituted by the direct command of King George VI in recognition of acts of outstanding gallantry by civilians.

Throughout the Second World War there were local Hampshire people, in both the armed forces and Civvy Street, who, with not a single thought for their own safety, instinctively cheated death and injury to save the lives of others, but the story of William Fisher is quite simply amazing.

His courageous action was never forgotten, and almost half a century later when William died at the age of 80, the man he rescued from a blazing warehouse and almost certain death, was amongst the funeral congregation to pay his own silent tribute to the Southampton hero.

One of the first daylight raids by enemy bombers on Southampton took place on August 12, 1940, when the docks were attacked and the International Cold Storage Company’s building in the port was set on fire and would go on to burn for days.

A full account of the incident appeared in the citation for the award of the George Medal, which was published in the official London Gazette the following month.

In giving a graphic account of the drama, the citation said: “During an air raid great gallantry was displayed by William Fisher in rescuing Gunner Sydney Jones, of the 71st Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, from the gunsite on the roof of a building about 50 feet above ground level.

“In the early part of the raid a series of bombs fell on the building itself and on the ground adjoining, and one man of the gun team was seriously wounded in the face and head.

“Fire quickly broke out, and, in addition to the ammunition which began to explode, ammonia gas fumes were released from a cold storage chamber below.

“The sergeant in charge of the gun realised the danger to his men, and rightly ordered them to abandon the post. It was found impossible to move the wounded man over the parapet wall and down the ladder on to the crane platform as the ladder slipped off the ledge. Mr Fisher, then came up, and without hesitation made a rough seat of a sling rope and fastened it to the hook of the jib crane.

“After obtaining the assistance of the crane driver he allowed himself to be hoisted on to the roof of the building. He then attached the sling under the arms of the wounded soldier, and waited on the roof until he had been lowered to the quay. The sling was then detached, and returned once more to the rook for the rescuer himself to be lowered. During such time as Mr Fisher was on the roof he was in constant danger from the fires, the gas fumes, and explosion of shells. His conduct throughout was a fine example of initiative, bravery, and coolness.’’ Although the account states that William was lowered in a sling, other reports show that there was no time to get the sling untied and sent up on the crane, and that he actually descended hanging to the hook by his hands.

Always modest about his actions, William said; “I’m naturally very proud that the King thought my little job of work worth rewarding, but after all, it was the least I could do.’’ William was a recruit to Southampton’s Air Raid Precaution RP organisation, and was attached, as a voluntary warden to Post Three in Portswood.