A Great War ‘Western Front 1918’ D.C.M. group of six awarded to Company Sergeant-Major A. Fletcher, Highland Light Infantry, late Essex Regiment with whom he saw service in the Boer War and at Gallipoli in the landing on ‘W’ Beach where he was wounded shortly after; he was decorated for ‘marked gallantry’ when ‘he on his own initiative crawled forward and killed 3 snipers’

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (55423 C.S. Mjr: A. Fletcher. 1/9 High: L.I.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4383 L. Corpl: A. Fletcher. Essex Regt.); 1914-15 Star (4383 Sjt. A. Fletcher. Essex R.); British War and Victory Medals (4383 W.O. Cl. 2 A. Fletcher. Essex R.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (4383 Sjt: A. Fletcher. Essex Regt.) mounted for display, the second with re-fixed suspension claw, edge bruising and contact marks, therefore nearly very fine, edge bruise to the last, otherwise very fine or better (6) £1,200-£1,600

D.C.M. London Gazette 2 December 1919:

‘For marked gallantry and initiative near Englefontaine, on 24th October, 1918, his company was acting as vanguard. The company commander was wounded and he took command until the arrival of another officer. His initiative and leadership contributed to the success of the advance. On 26th October he was in charge of a party mopping up in the village of Englefontaine, and did good work. During consolidation, when casualties were being sustained from snipers’ fire, he on his own initiative crawled forward and killed three snipers, and so allowed the work to continue.’

Alfred Fletcher was born on 21 February 1877, in the Parish of St. Paul's, Stockport, Cheshire. He attested for the Essex Regiment at Manchester on 21 December 1894, aged 17 years 10 months, a labourer by trade. At the time of his attestation he was serving in 4th (Militia) Battalion, The Cheshire Regiment. He joined the depot at Warley on 23 December 1894, and after training was posted to the 1st Battalion on 21 February 1895. He was subsequently posted to the 2nd Battalion for service in Burma on 27 October 1897, and was appointed Lance Corporal on 14 October 1898. He first saw active service in South Africa from 6 December 1901, returning to India in August 1902. He was promoted Corporal on 1 May 1903, after being posted back to the 1st Battalion where he was appointed Lance Sergeant. He later spent some time at the depot until being posted to the 3rd Battalion on 4 April 1907, where he remained until again posted to the 1st Battalion, where he was promoted to Sergeant on 16 December 1910. Sergeant Fletcher accompanied his battalion to Egypt on 23 March 1915, and thence to Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. The 1st Battalion, Essex Regiment were part of the 88th Brigade, 29th Division that landed at 'W' Beach, Cape Helles, on the Gallipoli peninsula. He was wounded on 9 May 1915 by a gunshot wound to the chest. On 15 August 1915, he was appointed Company Quartermaster Sergeant with the substantive rank of Colour Sergeant. Fletcher left Gallipoli with his battalion on 8 January 1916 to return to Egypt, and on 16 March 1916 he sailed for Marseilles from Alexandria. He was promoted to Company Sergeant Major on 4 June 1916, and returned to the U.K. on 20 June 1916, on being posted to the depot. Another posting followed, this time to the 3rd Battalion on 15 July 1916. He was transferred to the 2nd Garrison Battalion, Suffolk Regiment on 1 April 1917, followed by transfer to the 2/6th Battalion, Scottish Rifles on 23 June 1917. He remained with the Cameronians until he transferred to the 2/5th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry on 12 November 1917. He was subsequently posted to the 1/9th Battalion, H.L.I. in France on 14 April 1918, and it was while serving with this battalion that he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. He returned to the H.L.I. depot soon after the armistice, on 18 December 1918, and was posted to the 4th Battalion, H.L.I. on 14 January 1919, where he remained until being discharged on 22 March 1919, after 24 years of service. During his long service, Sergeant-Major Fletcher served in Burma, South Africa, Mauritius, Egypt, Gallipoli and France. After 18 years’ service he was awarded the Army Long Service & Good Conduct medal which was promulgated in Army Order 134 of April 1915. After his discharge, Alfred Fletcher lived at 59 Albert Road, Romford, Essex.

Sold with copied research including gazette notices, discharge papers, and all relevant medal rolls.