NOEL WILLIAM SCOTT FLETCHER

Born: 5th January 1898, 35, Cardigan Street, Ipswich.

Died: 7th March 1917; age 19 & 2 months; Died of Wounds – Taking the place of a fellow-officer, told-off that night for other duty, he was just starting at the head of his men for the front line trenches, near Montauban, when he was struck by shrapnel and died before reaching the 60th Field Ambulance dressing station.

Residence: 255, Norwich Road, Ipswich.

Enlistment Details: Date: 11th January 1915; Age: 17 years. Height: 5ft 7ins. He wore glasses. Passed from Rossall to the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, on 21 April 1915. Attended Pioneer School at Reading. Gazetted to the Durham Light Infantry in the following November. Posted to 11th Durham Light Infantry in January 1917.

Rank: Second Lieutenant.

Regiment: Durham Light Infantry.

Medals Awarded: Victory & British War.

Grave Reference:

Guards’ Cemetery,

Lesboeufs,

Somme,

France.

Relatives Notified & Address: Mrs W. E. Fletcher, of 108, London Road, Ipswich.

CENSUS

1901   14, Redan Street, Ipswich.

Noel was 3 years old and living with his parents & sister.

William Edward Fletcher, 38, a Clergyman – Church of England, born Birmingham, Warwickshire.

Emily Marcella Fletcher (nee Lovatt), 33, born Birmingham.

Hilda Constance Fletcher, 8, born Leicester, Leicestershire.

1 cook

1 nurse.

1911   2, St. Matthew’s Rectory, Crescent Road, Ipswich.

Noel was 13 years old, a scholar attending King’s College Cambridge Choir. He was living with his parents & sister.

William, 40, a Clergy Man of an Established Church – St. Matthew’s.

Emily, 43.

Hilda, 18.

2 domestic servants.

Noel’s father, Canon William Edward Fletcher, died 1915, Ipswich.

Noel was educated at Ipswich School – entered 1906. From 5th August 1908 to June 1913 Noel attended King’s College Choir School. He then attended Rossall School, Fleetwood, Lancashire from 1913 -1915. He belonged to Mirtre and Stag’s Head Houses under the House Master Mr. Chamberlain. Noel played for the House Hockey Team and was awarded House Colours in 1915. The House Master wrote that he ‘put up an excellent maiden fight’ in his first match. He then passed into R.M.C. Sandhurst before joining 2nd lt. Durham Light Infantry. Chamberlain House. Whilst at Rossall School he was a private in the O.T.C.

A telegram dated 9th March 1917 addressed to 255, Norwich Road, Ipswich, reported that Noel had died of wounds.

A letter dated 2th April 1917 reported that had been buried at Ginchy Advanced Dressing Station.

Mrs Fletcher sent a number of letters to the War Office, all bordered in black. His mother was living temporarily at 10 Park Road, Nottingham (her normal address was Allington House, Woodbridge Road, Ipswich). Her correspondence were largely trying to obtain information, especially about her son’s effects. On the 12th April she was trying to ascertain the whereabouts of his sword, apparently left in South Shields, and a cheque for £30 for when he sold his motor-cycle. His effects otherwise amounted to £3.11s.10d in cash along with a silver cigarette case, identity disc, wrist watch, leather strap, leather note case and correspondence.

Noel is also remembered on the Chapel war memorial at  Ipswich School, and at St. Matthew’s Church, Ipswich. His mother helped create a memorial to the missing in the Field of Honour.

FLETCHER ROAD, IPSWICH commemorates Mrs E M Fletcher, member of the Borough Council 1922- 1933 for St Margaret’s Ward. Her husband was Rector of St Matthew’s Church 1900-1915. A stain glass memorial to her husband is directly next to the war memorial at St. Matthew’s church where Noel is remembered.

Durham Light Infantry: