FLETCHER, Arthur

Arthur Fletcher was born in Stourbridge and volunteered for the Worcesters at the outbreak of war in 1914. He joined the 2nd Battalion early in 1915 at Festubert, a village in Artois between Armentieres and Bethune. In the British Spring offensive they fought in the battle of Festubert on the 16th May but suffered considerable losses. In September a further attack was planned for the area around Loos and this involved the largest British force assembled so far. Some gains had been made on the 25th September and the Worcesters were part of the following force which attacked on the 26th. They swept across the open country towards The Quarries, but suffered severe casualties from enemy machine guns. More than 300 men were casualties and among the killed in action was Lance Corporal Arthur Fletcher. He was 25 years of age and is commemorated on the Loos,Stourbridge, St. Thomas's church and Methodist church Memorials.