FLETCHER, John Thomas

John Fletcher was born in Amblecote and served as a pre-war regular soldier in the Sherwood Foresters and had reached the rank of Sergeant. By 1914 he was probably in the Reserve and living with his wife at 33 Granville Street, Longeaton, Nottinghamshire. He re-joined the 1st Battalion, which went to the Western Front in November, and reached them in Artois on the 11th December at what was a relatively quiet time. In the Spring of 1915 they took part in the three day Battle of Neuve Chapelle in March, fighting well in the first phase but being driven back by a German counter-attack. On the 9th May a second attack was made at nearby Fromelles which had no more success than the first. The shortage of artillery made any attack difficult and the Foresters suffered casualties of 347 officers and men in three days. Among them was Lance Corporal John Fletcher who was seriously wounded and died on the 12th May. He is buried in Merville Communal Cemetery (III B 5) and commemorated on the Brierley Hill and Brierley Hill church Memorials.