| Description | Work completed by volunteer includes the following information:
George Fletcher was born in Beverley the 19 Jul 1897 and baptised on 12 Aug 1897 at St Nicholas’ Church. George was one of eight children born to Joseph Fletcher and his wife Harriet both of whom originally came from the York area. Joseph was a tanners’ labourer. The 1901 census indicates that the family was living at New Villas, Chantry Lane, virtually next door to Hodgson and Sons Tannery. The family had previously lived in Flemingate, Trinity Lane and Bogle Lane. They later lived in Queensgate Road before 17 Sloe Lane became their permanent family home. Alfred is recorded as a “school newsboy” in the 1911 census but may have gone to work in the tannery as did his younger brother, William, born in 1894.
The Beverley Guardian of 20 Apr 1918 contained a photograph of George and stated that he was serving in an “Ammunition Column” as a driver. This was possibly the 32nd Divisional Ammunition Column of the Royal Field Artillery that was raised in Hull early in the war and in which many men from Beverley served in France. They were responsible for bringing supplies of ammunition from supply dumps to positions behind the front line using horse transport. There is no information however to corroborate this. Where George served and when he had enlisted is not known but he was awarded the War and Victory Medals.
After the war George lived in Hull. The 1939 Register records him as a foreman in the building trade and living in Elm Tree Avenue, Westmoreland Street. He married Ada A Escritt towards the end of 1921. They had four children, Ivy born 1921, Doris born 1924, Ada N born 1931 and Brian born 1934.
George died in early 1955 in Hull.
Includes photograph, information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |