Fish was born in Chard, Somerset and educated at Kingswood School and Manchester University (L.D.S. 1914; Ch.B. 1916; M.D. 1924). He was a leading figure in British dentistry. He was Chairman of the Dental Board, 1944-1956, Dean of the Faculty of Dental Science of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, 1956-1959, and President of the General Dental Council, 1956-1964. Fish was knighted in 1954.