Main CPGW Record
Surname: FLETCHER
Forename(s): Robert
Place of Birth: Burnley, Lancashire
Service No: 5338
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: East Lancashire Regiment
Battalion / Unit: 2nd Battalion
Division: 8th Division
Age: 21
Date of Death: 1915-05-09
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Panel 5 and 6.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: BARNOLDSWICK, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Robert Fletcher was the son of George and Jane Ann Fletcher, née Smith? George was born at Tottington and Jane at Burnley, Lancashire.
1901 Burnley, Lancashire Census: 11, Paper Street - Robert Fletcher, aged 7 years, born Burnley, son of George and Jane Ann Fletcher.
1911 Barnoldswick, Yorkshire Census: 17, Gisburn Street - Robert Fletcher, aged 17 years, born Burnley, Lancashire, son of George and Jane Ann Fletcher.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Robert Fletcher, 5338, E. Lan. R. Theatre of War first served in: 1 [France]. Date of entry therein: 30.11.14.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Cards: Pte Robert Fletcher, 5338, 3rd East Lancs; 2nd East Lancs. K. in A. 9.5.15.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Robert Fletcher, 5338, 2/Bn East Lancs Regt. Date and Place of Death: 9.5.15 in Action. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Mother and Sole Legatee - Jane A. £3 0s. 0d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: Pte Robert Fletcher, 3/5338, East Lancs. Date and cause of death: 9.5.15. K. in A. Name(s) on card(s): Dependant: Mrs Jane Ann Fletcher. Relationship to soldier: Mother. Address 1. 9, Ings Avenue, Barnoldswick. Address 2. 37, Sunderland Street, Burnley. Address 3. 15, Edith Street, Barnoldswick.
In 1921 Robert's parents were living at 15, Edith Street, Barnoldswick.
A short biography of Robert is included in: ‘Barnoldswick – A small Town’s part in conflicts 1800 to 2014’ by Peter Ian Thompson (2014).
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, Robert, 2nd E.L.R., aged 21, of 9, Ings Avenue, Barnoldswick, reported missing and later, in July 1915, officially reported killed.
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Private Robert FLETCHER
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: East Lancashire Regiment
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 8th Division
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‘Burnley Express’ (19 June 1915)
Private Robert Fletcher
Kindly supplied by the website: Burnley in the Great War
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
18 June 1915
BARNOLDSWICK SOLDIER ‘MISSING’
Mr. and Mrs. George Fletcher, 9, Ings Avenue, Barnoldswick, a few days ago received information that their son, Pte. Robert Fletcher, of the 2nd 3rd East Lancashire Regiment, had been missing since the 9th of May. He is 21 years of age and prior to going out to the front in October was in the Special Reserve for two years. He came home on sick furlough in February, suffering from shattered nerves, and on returning to France a short time afterwards, was transferred to the 2nd Battalion.
The letter conveying the intimation is from Quartermaster Sergt. G. Taylor, who writes as follows:– “Dear Madam, – Your son Robert is reported missing since 9th May, and as we have heard nothing about him in the regiment, most probably he is killed. Will do all I can to get more information.”
The last letter received from Pte. Fletcher was on May 11th.
23 July 1915
PRIVATE FLETCHER'S DEATH CONFIRMED
After being reported missing since May 9th, Mr. and Mrs. George Fletcher, 9, Ings Avenue, Barnoldswick, have received official intimation from the War Office that their son, Pte. Robert Fletcher, of the 2nd East Lancashire Regiment, was killed on the above-mentioned date. He was 21 years of age, and was for two years in the Special Reserve before the war. He went to the Front in October last. His last letter home was received on May 11th.
05 May 1916
FLETCHER – In loving memory of Pte. Robert Fletcher, East Lancashire Regiment, killed in action in France, 9th May, 1915.
“We loved him in life; he is dear to us still.”
From Father, Mother and Sisters, 9, Ings Avenue, Barnoldswick.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
18 June 1915
BARNOLDSWICK SOLDIER MISSING OR DEAD
News has been received by Mrs. George Fletcher of 9 Ings Avenue, Barnoldswick, of the probable death of her son, Private Robert Fletcher, who has been reported missing since May 9th last. The intimation is contained in a letter from Quarter-Master-Sergeant G. Taylor, who writes:– “Your son, Robert Fletcher, is reported missing since 9th May. As we have heard nothing about him in the regiment, most probably he is killed. Will do all I can to get more information.”
Private Fletcher was 21 years old. Before the war he was in the Special Reserve, and upon mobilisation was called up and was drafted to the Front in October last. He was one of those who endured the hardships of the winter campaign, and was sent home in February on furlough to recover from the effect of shattered nerves. He stayed in Barnoldswick only a few days, and on his return was drafted from the 1st Battalion to that of which he was a member up to the time of his having been missing.
23 July 1915
MISSING BARNOLDSWICK SOLDIER OFFICIALLY REPORTED DEAD
A few weeks ago we published a report that Private Robert Fletcher of the 2nd East Lancashire Regiment, and son of Mr. and Mrs. George Fletcher of 9 Ings Avenue, Barnoldswick, was reported missing. The news that Private Fletcher was ‘missing’ was contained in a letter from the trenches written by a non-commissioned officer, who said the incident occurred on May 9th subsequent to fierce attacks and counter attacks, with heavy losses on both sides. Little hope was afforded by the letter from the Front, but as Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher received a letter from their son on May 11th – two days after he was reported missing – they continued to hope against their fears. No further news was received until this weekend when official intimation of their son’s death ‘on active service in France’ has been received. Private Fletcher, who was 21 years of age, had been in the Special Reserve two years before the outbreak of the war and was drafted to the Front in October last.
24 December 1915
CRAVEN’S ROLL OF HONOUR – BARNOLDSWICK
Pte. Robert Fletcher, 2nd East Lancashire Regiment, of 9 Ings Avenue, Barnoldswick, reported missing, and later, in July, officially reported killed. Twenty-one years of age.
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