Main CPGW Record
Surname: FLETCHER
Forename(s): George William
Place of Birth: Skipton, Yorkshire
Service No: 68388
Rank: Gunner
Regiment / Corps / Service: Royal Garrison Artillery
Battalion / Unit: 122nd Siege Battery
Division: ---
Age: 28
Date of Death: 1917-04-04
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: I. A. 1.
CWGC Cemetery: ANZIN-ST. AUBIN BRITISH CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
George William Fletcher was the son of Benjamin and Catherine Fletcher, née Smith. Benjamin was born at Carleton-in-Craven and Catherine at Skipton, Yorkshire.
1891 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 32, George Street - George Wm Fletcher, aged 2 years, born Skipton, son of Benjamin and Catherine Fletcher.
1901 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 32, George Street - George W. Fletcher, aged 13 years, born Skipton, son of Benjamin and Catherine Fletcher.
1911 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 32, George Street, Middletown - Mr. G.W. Fletcher, aged 21 years, born Skipton, son of Mr. and Mrs. B. Fletcher.
The British Army Service Record for George William Fletcher exists but may be incomplete.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Gnr George W. Fletcher, 68388, R.G.A.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Gnr George William Fletcher, 68388, 122 Sge. Bty. R.G.A.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Gnr George William Fletcher, 68388, 122 Siege Bty. Date and Place of Death: 4.4.17 in Action France. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Father - Benjamin. £6 4s. 5d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for George. Name(s) on card(s): Dependant: Mrs Catherine Fletcher. Relationship: Mother. Deceased. Dependant: Benjamin Fletcher. Relationship: Father. Address 1. 32, George Street, Skipton. Address 2. 64, Castle Street, Skipton.
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
FLETCHER, Gunner G.W., R.G.A., aged 29, 32, George Street, [Skipton], killed in action France, 1917.
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Gunner George William FLETCHER
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Royal Garrison Artillery
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Skipton Rugby F.C. Winner's Yorks Challenge Cup 1911-12
Standing L-R: J.C. McIntyre, J. Pickard, J. Graham, W. Fletcher, P. Fields, S. Bishop, H. Blakey; Middle Row L-R: A. Lambert, A.M. McIntosh, C. Tosney (Capt.), A. Clark, W. Scott; Front Row L-R: C. Thwaites, W. Brayshaw, J.E. Gill, G. Fennerty.
Courtesy of Dr J. K. Elwood, Skipton
'YORKSHIRE RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION - IN MEMORIAM 1914-19'
FLETCHER, G. W., Gunner 122nd Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery. Killed at Arras April 4th 1917. Skipton R. F. C.
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
13 April 1917
FLETCHER – April 4th 1917, killed in action in France, Gunner George William Fletcher, Siege Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery, son of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Fletcher, 32 George Street, Skipton, aged 29 years.
13 April 1917
“FELL DOING HIS DUTY NOBLY” – SKIPTON FOOTBALLER KILLED IN ACTION: GUNNER GEO. WILLIAM FLETCHER
It is with much regret that we have to record this week the death in action of Gunner George William Fletcher of the Siege Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery, son of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Fletcher of 32 George Street, Skipton, and a well known Skipton footballer. News of the sad event, which apparently occurred about Wednesday of last week, was received last weekend in the following letter from deceased’s officer:– “I much regret to have to inform you that your son met a soldier’s end in action. He fell doing his duty nobly, as the excellent gunner he was, with the lanyard in his hand. His name will be the first to be inscribed on the Roll of Honour of the ----- Siege Battery, and none will, I am certain, be more sincerely lamented. He was struck by a piece of shell in the head and killed instantly, and his death must have been painless. Please accept the sympathy of both officers and men in your bereavement.”
Twenty-nine years of age, deceased was a warp-dresser in the employ of Mr. J. Wilkinson, Park Shed, prior to enlisting in February 1915, and he had been in France about nine months. Amongst the sporting public of the town and district he will be remembered as one of the best forwards for many seasons of the Skipton Rugby Football Club, and he was one of the clever fifteen which, in 1911-12, carried off the Yorkshire Challenge Cup. For a brief period he also assisted the Ilkley Rugby team.
His brother, Pte. Charles Smith Fletcher, has also been at the Front with the West Riding Regiment and was recently seriously wounded in the thigh. He is now in Liverpool hospital. He was also in the employ of Mr. Wilkinson as a dyer.
With the death of Gunner Fletcher, the Skipton Football Club’s Roll of Honour has been increased to six, the other five being Lieut. J.C. McIntyre, Lance-Corporal J. Willan and Privates S. Bishop, F. Thornton and Fred Gallagher.
05 April 1918
FLETCHER – In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Gunner G. W. Fletcher, R.G.A., killed in action April 4th, 1917.
“Until the day breaks and the shadows flee away.”
32, George Street, Skipton.
04 April 1919
FLETCHER – In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Gunner G. W. Fletcher, R.G.A., killed in action, April 4th, 1917.
Two lonely years have passed
Since our great sorrow fell,
But in our hearts we mourn the loss
Of him we loved so well.
From 32 George Street, Skipton.
02 April 1920
FLETCHER – In ever loving memory of a dear son, Gnr. G. W. Fletcher, R.G.A., killed April 4th, 1917.
Nothing to us can ever repay
The sacrifice he made that day.
Dearly loved and sadly missed by his Mother, Father, Brother and Sister, 32 George Street, Skipton.
01 April 1921
FLETCHER – In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Gunner G. W. Fletcher, R.G.A., killed in action April 4th, 1917.
In the old home you are fondly remembered,
Sweet, happy memories cling round your name;
True hearts that held you in deepest affection
Always, will love you in death just the same.
From Mother, Father, Brothers and Sisters, 32 George Street, Skipton.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
13 April 1917
FLETCHER – Killed in action in France, Gunner G. W. Fletcher, of the Royal Garrison Artillery, son of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Fletcher, of 32, George Street, Skipton, aged 29.
13 April 1917
SKIPTON SOLDIER KILLED
Information has been received that Gunner George Wm. Fletcher of the Royal Garrison Artillery, son of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Fletcher of 32, George Street, Skipton, has been killed in action. Gunner Fletcher, who was 29 years of age, enlisted a year last February and had been out in France about nine months. He was formerly employed as a warp-dresser by Messrs. Wilkinson’s of Skipton. Prior to joining the army he was a prominent player of the Skipton Rugby Football Club, he assisting the team when they carried off the Yorkshire Challenge Cup in season 1911-12. In a letter to his parents an officer writes:– “I much regret to have to inform you that your son met a soldier’s end in action. He fell doing his duty nobly as an excellent gunner he was – with the lanyard in his hand. His name will be the first to be inscribed on the roll of honour of the Siege Battery, and none will I am certain, be more sincerely lamented. He was struck by a piece of shell in the head and killed instantly. His death must have been quite painless. Please accept the sympathy of both officers and men in your bereavement.”
Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher have another son, Pte. Charles Fletcher, of the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, who is at present in a Liverpool hospital suffering from wounds in the thigh. He was also employed at Messrs. Wilkinson’s as a dyer.
05 April 1918
In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Gunner G.W. Fletcher, R.G.A., killed in action, April 4th, 1917.
“Until the day breaks and the shadows flee away.”
32, George Street, Skipton.
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