Ten: Sergeant-Major William Fletcher, Grenadier Guards, who was recommended for the Albert Medal for saving life from a fire at Wellington Barracks in March 1898

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, 1 clasp, Suakin 1885 (6472 Sergt. W. Fletcher, 3/Grenr. Gds.); 1914-15 Star (Q.M. & Lieut. W. Fletcher, G. Gds.); British War and Victory Medals (Q.M. & Lieut.); Jubilee 1897, bronze; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (6472 S.Mjr., G. Gds.); Meritorious Service Medal, V.R. (Sgt. Maj: W. Fletcher, Gren: G’ds.); Royal Victorian Medal, Bronze, V.R., unnamed as issued; Khedive’s Star 1884-6, the reverse lower point impressed ‘6472 3GG’ and fitted with additional hook for mounting purposes; Royal Society for the Protection of Life from Fire, 4th type, silver (Wm. Fletcher, Wellington Barracks, S.W. 13th March 1898) complete with silver buckle but this lacking pin fitment, the first nine mounted for wear, the Sudan pair pitted, fine, otherwise very fine or better (10) £1000-1200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Long Service Medals from the Collection formed by John Tamplin.

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William Fletcher was recommended in 1898 by the Commander-in-Chief for the Albert Medal for saving life at the fire in Wellington Barracks, but received instead the Silver Medal of the Royal Society for the Protection of Life from Fire (see the Life Saving Awards Research Society Journal No. 37 for further details). The fire is described in a contemporary press report:

‘About half-past 5 o’clock yesterday morning [13th March 1898] excitement was caused at the Wellington Barracks, Birdcage-walk, by the discovery that a fire had broken out in the Sergeant’s canteen, on the ground floor at the end of F Block. The barracks are occupied by the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Horace Ricardo. A large number of soldiers mustered in answer to the bugle call, and got to work with the fire manual kept at the barracks. Meantime, a message had been sent to Westminster Fire Station, and several engines were ordered from the nearest fire stations. The flames were overcome by half-past 6 o’clock and the damage was mainly confined to that portion of the building in which the fire originated. The canteen, however, was quite burnt out and rooms above, used as married quarters, were much damaged, as also was the roof of a covered yard adjoining...’

William Fletcher was born on 23 July 1859, in the Parish of St Phillips, Bristol, Gloucestershire.He served in the 2nd Somerset Light Infantry Miltia prior to joining the Army at Bath on 22 May 1878. He enlisted in the Grenadier Guards, taking part as a Sergeant in the Sudan campaign in 1885 with the 3rd Battalion at Suakin. He was appointed as Assistant Drill Sergeant in January 1890, transferred to the 2nd Battalion the following November, and was promoted Sergeant-Major in February 1891.

In Army Order 168 of October 1899, Sergeant-Major Fletcher was awarded the M.S.M. and Annuity of £10. On his discharge in February 1900, he was appointed Sergeant-Major of the Dulwich College Corps, and is shown in a picture published in The Navy and Army Illustrated on 16 November 1901, clearly wearing his Sudan pair, M.S.M., and Jubilee Medal, with, on his right breast, the Life Saving Medal. He the Dulwich College Corps in March 1902.

Fletcher rejoined the Colours in 1914 and served as Sergeant-Major of the Public Schools Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, until granted a commission as temporary Quartermaster and Hon. Lieutenant on 14 September 1915. He served in France from 28 September 1915, and became Quartermaster of the Guards’ Divisional Base Depot, British Expeditionary Force, on the Western Front. In 1917, he was awarded the Army L.S. & G.C. medal (Army Order 125 of April 1917). This late award was occasioned because Warrant Officers had been ineligible prior to July 1902, by which time Fletcher had been discharged from the Army. Sold with comprehensive research, including several copied photographs.