Fletcher, William
Personal Information
Rank | S/L |
Forename(s) | William |
Surname | Fletcher |
Gender | M |
Age | 29 |
Decorations | DFC, DFM |
Date of Death | 14-02-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of William and Nora Fletcher. Husband of Edna Blanche Fletcher, of Nottingham. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax II |
Serial Number | DT694 |
Markings | NP-N |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Netherlands |
Burial/Memorial Place | Jonkerbos War Cemetery, Nijmegen |
Grave Reference | Coll. grave 12. E. 2-5. |
Epitaph | BELOVED HUSBAND OF EDNA. LOVED & RESPECTED BY ALL ''BY HIS DEEDS SHALL YE KNOW HIM" |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 165 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 44063 |
Service | Royal Air Force |
Group | 4 |
Squadron | 158 |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | St. James of Compostola Church, Lissett, East Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Memorial Stone & Inscribed Metal Plaque |
Memorial Text | Memorial to 158 Sqn, RAF Lissett 28th February 1943 - 17th August 1946 |
Location | St. James of Compostola Church, Lissett, East Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stained Glass Window & Inscribed Metal Plaques |
Memorial Text | A stained glass window in memory of 158 Sqn RAF |
Miscellaneous Information
He won his DFM with 37 Squadron and his DFC during a recent operation to Turin |
DFC Citation, London Gazette, 12 January 1943: "Distinguished Flying Cross. Squadron Leader William FLETCHER, D F M (44063), No 158 Squadron. Distinguished Flying Medal 540757 Sergeant Ralph LEWIS, No 158 Squadron, 1375551 Sergeant Harry KAY, No 158 Squadron. In December, 1942, Squadron Leader Fletcher and Sergeants Lewis and Kay were captain, flight engineer and navigator of a heavy bomber detailed to attack Turin. While over the target area one of the starboard engines failed. Shortly after the bombs had been released all blind flying instruments failed and the aircraft stalled and fell into a spin. Squadron Leader Fletcher skilfully regained control, but it was found impossible to climb over the Alps. Despite bad weather and poor visibility Sergeant Kay navigated the aircraft on another course round the Alps. Sergeant Lewis's cool and skilful manipulation of the petrol consumption completed the team work which resulted in the safe return of the aircraft, after flying some 900 miles with 1 of its engines disabled. These members of aircraft crew set a grand example of grim determination to triumph over tremendous difficulties". |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1048/27 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1048/26 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 14-02-1943 |
End Date | 15-02-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Rufforth |
Day/Night Raid | Night (77% moon) |
Operation | Cologne. 243 aircraft, 9 lost (3.7%). PFF used H2S to mark the target with sky-markers. Limited success. |
Reason for Loss | Shot down by a night-fighter and crashed ESE of Maastricht, Holland |