Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Lieutenant H. W. Fletcher, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who was killed in action at the Battle of Alimunter Hill, Gaza, on 26 March 1917

1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. H. W. Fletcher. R.W. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. H. W. Fletcher.); Memorial Plaque (Horace William Fletcher) toned, extremely fine (4) £200-£240

Horace William Fletcher was born on 19 September 1889 and was educated at Eton and Merton College, Oxford. Whilst preparing for Holy Orders, he enlisted in the Royal Naval Division in August 1914 and was soon after commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Welch Fusiliers on 21 December 1914. He served with the 7th Battalion during the Great War in Gallipoli from October 1915, and was then transferred to the Intelligence Department in Egypt, where he participated in the Battle of Romani.

Fletcher served with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in Palestine, and was killed in action by a sniper, after taking and capturing a forward position at the Battle of Alimunter Hill, Gaza on 26 March 1917. His Commanding Officer wrote: ‘He did magnificent work that day, pushing on beyond the captured position with a few men and tow other officers, and it was in this forward position that he met his death. He was a splendid officer and exceptionally gallant, and his death will be a great loss to this Battalion.’ He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial. His brother, Captain R. S. Fletcher, Northumberland Fusiliers, had previously been killed in action at Mons on 1 November 1914.

Sold with copied research, including a photographic image of the recipient.

For the recipient’s brother’s medals, see Lot 196.