His brother, George Edward, served with the 6th Bn York and Lancaster Regiment and was killed on 1 December 1916 (Thiepval Memorial). (See record on this ROH.)
Mansfield Reporter, 28 May 1915 (photograph): Letters from the Front. Mansfield Man’s Narrow Escape. Private William Fletcher. Private William Fletcher, of the York and Lancaster Regiment, was, before the war, a driver in the employ of the Mansfield Tramway Company. As a reservist he was called to rejoin his regiment at the commencement of hostilities. After a short stay in Ireland he was sent to France, where he has been in the thick of it since the battle of the Marne. Six years he spent in India securing the much coveted gold badge for scouting, and he was employed on that work up to Christmas. Of late, however, he has been passing his time in the dangerous occupation of bomb throwing. He has had some very narrow escapes, but Dame Fortune has smiled on him up to now. Whilst speaking to one of his chums in the trenches he was spotted by a sniper, who had a go at him, and it was not a bad shot either, for his rifle was knocked out of his hands. The bullet, which did the trick, as he puts it, he has sent home to his people in Stockwell-gate. Writing home a few days ago, he expressed pleasure at the way Mansfield men had rallied round the flag, ‘but’, he added, ‘no single young men ought to hesitate to join the colours. I am proud to be fighting for King and country.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Mansfield Reporter, 3 September 1915 (photograph): ‘Mansfield Man Killed at Hooge. Private JW Fletcher. We regret to announce the death of Pte. John William Fletcher, of the 2nd York and Lancaster battalion, a son of Mr and Mrs Fletcher of Stockwell-gate. His father is a carter in the employ of Messrs. Pickard and Son. He was killed in action at the battle of Hooge, on August 9th. In a letter received, Lieut. Sim, officer commanding his Company, says: ‘It is with regret I have to inform you that your son, Private John William Fletcher, of the 2nd York and Lancaster Regiment, was killed in an attack on the morning of the 9th Aug. Perhaps it may be some consolation to you, in your sorrow, to know that he was highly esteemed by both officers and men, and died fighting for his country as every Englishman should,’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Mansfield Reporter 31 Aug 1917: ‘Local and District News. For Those Who Have Fallen. A special service was held in the Leeming Street Primitive Methodist church on Sunday evening in memory of those associated with the church who had fallen in the war. The service was conducted by the Rev. Chas. F. Gill (superintendent minister). The names mentioned were: Harold Blythe, Wm Andrews, George Ed. Fletcher, William Fletcher, Fred H Tudge, Albert E Binch, Archie Draycott, Sam Bowler and Frank Weighell. Mr Gill delivered a suitable address, on the words, ‘He healeth the broken in heart.’ He urged his hearers to commit their loved ones, and also their own lives, to the keeping of the God of infinite tenderness, and so find consolation in the hour of trial. The service was very impressive.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)