George Enderby Fletcher
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
George Enderby was the son of John and Isabella Fletcher (née Jackson). His father John Fletcher was born in Derby in about 1863. His mother Isabella was born in Friskney, Lincolnshire, in 1864 (A/M/J Spilsby), the daughter of William Jackson, a blacksmith, and his wife Anna/Hannah (née Enderby). Isabella was baptised at Friskney parish church on 10 July 1864. In 1871 the family was living on High Road, Sea Lane, Friskney. It seems likely that John and Isabella were married in London in 1889 (O/N/D Pancras London). They had six children; four were born in Netherfield (Basford registration district) but two, George and Charles, were born in Derby: John William birth registered 1891 (J/F/M Basford); Henry b. 1892; Joseph b. 1894; George Enderby b. 1896 and Charles Frederick birth registered 1899 (J/F/M) both baptised at Derby St James 4 April 1900, and Albert Edward b. 1901 (A/M/J). In 1891 John, a railway engine fireman, and Isabella were living on Dunstan Street, Carlton, with their first child, John William (u/1yr). They were living in Derby when their sons George and Charles were born in 1896 and 1899 respectively and their address was 49 Brough Street, Derby, when the boys were baptised in April 1900. The family had returned to Nottingham by 1901 when they were recorded on the census living at 15 Springfields, Colwick. John, a railway engine driver, and Isabella now had five sons: John William, Henry (9), Joseph (6), George (3) and Charles (2). John snr. died on 8 August 1901, shortly after the birth of his sixth son, Albert Edward. The probate record gave his address as 15 Springfield, Colwick. His widow Isabella had moved to 4 Knight Street, Netherfield, by 1911. All six sons were living at home: John a French polisher (furniture), Henry an office boy (Great Northern Railway Company), Joseph a number taker Traffic (GNR), George an errand boy, and Charles and Albert who were still at school. George later worked for GNR as a clerk. Isabella was still living at 4 Knight Street when George attested in March 1914 but had moved to 46 Carnarvon Road by the time of his death in August 1915. When Isabella completed a form for the Army in 1919 listing George's surviving blood relatives she and five of her sons were still living at 46 Carnarvon Road. John William had married in 1914 and was living at 31 Bourne Street, Netherfield. Isabella died on 17 February 1929; she was living at 4 Bourne Street, probably with her married son Charles who was recorded at this address on the 1939 England & Wales Register. Charles had married May Allcock in 1923 (O/N/D Basford) and had at least two children, George b. 7 August 1927, who was included on the 1939 Register, and Albert H b. 1926 (A/M/J Basford), who was probably also in the household in 1939 but the record remains closed. John William married Mabel Florence Jones on 30 August 1914 at Netherfield. He attested on 7 December 1915 on a short service engagement (duration of the war); he ws 24y 11m old. He was posted initially to the Sherwood Foresters and transferred to the Army Reserve on 8 December. However, when he was posted on 20 March 1916 he transferred to the Royal Garrison Artillery (73682 Gunner), serving latterly with the 157 Siege Battery. He served with the BEF France, and suffered a severe gun shot wound to his left arm on 15 October 1917 and was admitted to No. 14 General Hospital, Wimereux, before being medically evacuated to England and the Highfield Military Hospital, Liverpool, on 19 October. He was medically discharged from the Army on 9 April 1918 as no longer fit for war service but was not discharged to his home at 31 Bourne Street, Netherfield, until 30 April. He was issued with Silver War Badge No.409408. He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. Joseph attested on 5 July 1917, aged 22y 150d and employed as a mineral porter (GNR). He was posted initially to the Sherwood Foresters but transferred to the 2nd Bn South Staffordshire Regiment (41971 Private). He served with the BEF France from 22 October 1917 and discharged from Clipstone Camp to 46 Carnarvon Street, Netherfield. A letter in his service papers shows that he contacted his former employer, the station master at GNR Colwick Sidings, about reinstatement. The reply, headed 'Demobilization of Railwaymen Serving With HM Forces', indicated that the company had a policy of 're-employing employees providing they are physically fit to do their duties.'
Private George Enderby Fletcher attested in the Territorial Force (4 years service), 8th Bn Sherwood Foresters, on 31 March 1914; he was 17 yrs and 9 months old. He completed his first two week annual camp at Hunmanby from 26 July-3 August 1914 and then transferred to embodied service. He was drafted to France with the 1/8th battalion on 2 March 1915 as part of the British Expeditionary Force. George was killed in action five months later on 14 August 1915. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. An account in 'The History of 1/8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters 1914-1919' (Captain WCC Weetman MC) of this period on the Ypres Salient gives the Battalion's casualty figures during 30/31 July 1915 as 21 killed and 40 wounded, 'This total was increased from day to day by incessant shelling, trench mortars and rifle grenades and by the unfortunate inaccuracy of one of our 6-inch naval guns, which persisted in firing into our trenches until its identity was eventually discovered. During the first fortnight in the line here, our casualties were no fewer than four Officers wounded, 36 other ranks killed or died of wounds and 90 wounded.' The Battalion was relieved by the 7th Battalion on 17 August, three days after George's death. (pp71-72) George had served at home for 336 days and 166 days at the front. He was eligible for the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
His personal effects were returned to his mother Mrs Isabella Fletcher, 46 Carnarvon Street, Netherfield, in November 1915 and comprised: packet of photos, letters, song book, testament, pair of scissors, tape measurement, belt, purse, 4 coins and 2 x1d (one penny) stamps. His mother also received his medals after the war. Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his mother was his legatee. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Acknowledgements’, 26 August 1915: ‘Mrs Fletcher and Family, of 46 Carnarvon-street, Netherfield, wish to thank all friends for their kind expressions of sympathy to them in their sad bereavement.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 19 February 1929: ‘Fletcher. Feb. 17th. At 4 Bourne-street, Netherfield, Isabella, aged 64. At rest.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
