Granted a clearance on 25 April 1913 (exactly two years before his death),[9] he played his first senior VFL match with South Melbourne, against St Kilda, at the Lake Oval, on Saturday, 26 April 1913 (round one), as a rover.

[19] At the time of his enlistment (18 August 1914), he was living in Albert Park and was employed as an engine-driver with the Metropolitan Gas Company.

He embarked from Melbourne on the HMAT Orvieto on 21 October 1914, bound for Egypt and the Dardanelles.

Midway across the Indian Ocean, their ship encountered, and took on board, survivors from the German raider, the SMS Emden, that had been defeated by HMAS Sydney.

[22] Fincher was killed in action during the Landing at Anzac Cove on 25 April 1915, as part of the Gallipoli campaign.