Joseph FLETCHER

17 December 1915

INGLETON – Recruiting

There was quite a rush at the eleventh hour to enlist under Lord Derby’s scheme, and the following presented themselves for attestation at the recruiting centres:–Messrs. W. Harper, E. Hutchinson, M. Whittam, J. Townson, W. Wilkinson, J. Wilson, J. Wilson, jun., H.J. Birkett, J. Fletcher, N. Monks, M. Ramwell, R. Wilcock, W. Burrows, W. Robinson, A. Sherwin, F. Brooks, W. Bradley, B. Lister, W.A. Longton, R. Jackson, W. Jackson, A. Tyas, T. Hutchinson, R. Robinson, W. Riding, T. Thompson, J. Thompson, J. Hutchinson, R. Fisher, F. Lambert, Jas. Townson, W. Clarkson, N. Preston, J. Hodgkinson, C. Barker, J. Batty, R. Foster, W. Emmott, J. Saul, W. Noble, Rt. Robinson, R. Sears, J. Slawson, J. Newsholme, H. Tomlinson, J. Ellis, C. Robertshaw, R. Farnworth, E. Coates, and N. Downham. Of these a dozen were rejected. The above list does not pretend to be complete, and the recruiting secretary (Mr. G. Walling) would be glad if any others who attested would forward their names to him, particularly as the authorities at Skipton have asked him to send in a list of all who have attested under the group system.

12 October 1917

INGLETON – Ingleton Soldiers

…Amongst those who have been on leave are… Pte. Jos. Fletcher, Laburnum Terrace, whose brother, Percy, recently died of wounds…

12 April 1918

Corporal Joseph Fletcher, Ingleton

Mr. James Fletcher has received intimation that his youngest son, Corporal Joseph Fletcher, Royal Engineers, has been killed in action. Before joining the Army, Corporal Fletcher was Chauffeur to Dr. Mackenzie. Universal sympathy is felt for Mr. Fletcher, who has now lost two sons in the war, whilst a third has lost a foot. When the sad news reached Ingleton, Mrs. Fletcher was in the Lancaster Infirmary, where she had undergone a serious operation. The flag at St. Mary’s Church was hoisted half-mast.

Second Lieutenant Whitley, writing to the parents, says Corporal Fletcher was killed while holding the line against the Germans. He was shot through the head and suffered no pain whatever. He adds:– “I am sorry to say we could not bring him back with us as we were almost surrounded. He was a very fine stout chap, and the section has lost it best Corporal. I need hardly say how much we shall all miss him. I have a cigarette case and a pocket case containing a photo or two, and 10 francs which I will send on.”

21 June 1918

INGLETON – Memorial Service

The third memorial service for those who have fallen in the war was held in St Mary’s Church on Sunday evening, when the building was packed. The service opened with the hymn ’O God our help in ages past,’ and was of a special character. The lessons were read by Mr. J. Harding, lay reader, and the other hymns sung were ‘How bright those glorious spirits shine’ and ‘Peace, perfect peace.’ The Vicar read out the names of those who had fallen since the last memorial service, viz., Capt. E. Walling, M.C., Flight-Lieut. R.B. Brookes, Sergeant T. Heaps, M.M., Segeant R.E. Walker, Lance-Corporal J. Fletcher, Private W. Metcalfe, Private E. Robinson, Private P. Coulson, and Private L. E. Redhead (missing). The Vicar paid all honour to the men who had made the supreme sacrifice; they had laid down their lives in order that we might live in peace, and what had we done or what were we going to do for these men who answered the call of King and Country? Were we worthy of their sacrifice? He urged them to make themselves worthy and not to mourn for them, for they had entered into their rest, but rather to reserve their sympathy for those who were left behind. The Ingleton Colliery Band played the Dead March, and Bugler Robert Howson sounded the ‘Last Post,’ an impressive service concluding with the National Anthem. A collection of £5 13s 6d. was taken towards a permanent memorial.