Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
George met his death at the Battle of the Hohenzollern Redoubt. On the 12th October 1915 the Battalion marched the ten miles from the village of Hesdigneul to the Redoubt in “fighting order”, with great coats rolled and strapped to their backs. They arrived at 10.00pm at Vermelles, and the following eight hours were spent packed solid in communication trenches. Each soldier carried six sandbags and every third a shovel. As you could imagine, none of them slept and the lucky ones had a drink before our artillery opened up at noon on the 13th October. The enemy artillery responded fifteen minutes later, and at 1.00pm we released chlorine gas, and disastrously for us an enemy shell shattered some containers in our frontline. At 2.00pm our troops, many wearing gas helmets went “over the top” and bayonet charged the enemy positions. Terrific machine gun fire tore into them and a shrapnel barrage added to the heavy casualties. Hours passed and furious hand to hand fighting took place and repeated bayonet charges drove the enemy back, who in turn counter attacked. After darkness fell Lance Corporal Clayson of the 1st/5th Battalion saved many lives by dragging wounded back to our trenches, and Captain Barton spent hours in No Man’s land giving morphine and water to the dying. When food and drink was brought up during the night the men had their first meal for twenty four hours, but still no sleep. The morning of the fourteenth was very misty and this became smog as the Germans continued to use shrapnel and gas shells throughout the day. It was at 8.00am on the fifteenth that the relief was completed and buses took most of our troops back to Hesdigneul. The 1st/5th Battalion lost four officers, six wounded, two gassed and thirty five men killed, one hundred and thirty two wounded and twenty two gassed. The War Diary for today records. At 6.00am Battn in place in RESERVE trench. At 12.00 noon bombardment of enemy trench FOSSE 8 commenced. At 1.00pm smoke and gas turned on until 1.50pm. At 2.00pm assault. 5th Battn LINCOLNSHIRE REGT and 4th Battn LEICESTERSHIRE REGT advanced in lines of platoon at 50 paces distance against HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. 4th Battn LINCOLNSHIRE REGT attacked from 2nd line followed by the MONMOUTHSHIRE REGT. REDOUBT captured but lines checked and stopped by machine gun fire from MAD POINT, MADAGASCAR, and SOUTH FACE, also heavy rifle fire FOSSE and DUMP TRENCH. First two lines as almost all Coy officers became casualties. REDOUBT and half of NORTH FACE was held – LITTLE WILLIE and BIG WILLIE still in enemy hands. At 3.00pm B Coy sent up to reinforce centre and left of REDOUBT followed by A and part of D Coy’s. Machine guns in position along original front line now held by C Coy and parts of other regiments. Considerable progress made along LITTLE WILLIE by grenade party under Lt C. H. F. WOLLASTON. Ground lost again owing to lack of grenades. At 5.30pm ground now held consisted of front face of REDOUBT and up to LITTLE WILLIE and point 60. Remainder of REDOUBT untenable by either side. 138th Brigade relieved gradually by 139th Brigade. 138th Brigade hold original front line trench. Many of A and B Coy’s still remained in the REDOUBT during the whole of next day.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday October 22nd, 1915

Ellistown Soldier Killed

News has been received that Pte. George Fletcher, of the 5th Leicesters, son of Mr George Fletcher, collier, of 9, Ibstock Road, Ellistown, has been killed in action. The information is conveyed in a letter from another Ellistown soldier. Fletcher took part in the fighting last week, in which the Leicestershire Territorials so distinguished themselves though at heavy loss.

Coalville Times article - Friday November 5th, 1915

Notification

Mr and Mrs G. Fletcher and family desire to tender their sincere thanks for the many kind expressions of sympathy extended to them on the occasion of the death of their son, Pte. George Fletcher, killed in action, October 13th, 1915.

9 Ibstock Road, Ellistown

Ellistown Soldier's Death - Officially Confirmed

Mr George Fletcher, banksman at the South Leicestershire Colliery, who resides at 9, Ibstock Road, Ellistown, has been officially notified of the death of his son, Pte. George Fletcher of the 1/5th battalion Leicestershire Regiment. The notice, dated October 28th, received from the Territorial Record Office, Lichfield, states that the deceased was killed in action on October 13th.

Mr and Mrs Fletcher have also received a letter from Pte. E. Dowell (Donington-le-Heath) who since the 13th has re-joined the battalion at the front, stating that he had heard of George’s death and expresses deep sympathy with his parents and friends. He says, “He was a very dear pal and I miss him very much. I am sure you have lost a noble son. When he was asked to do anything by the officer or non-commissioned officer he was always willing to do it without a murmur. He died a hero’s death and did his duty to God, King and Country.”

Before the war, Pte. G. Fletcher worked at the Bagworth Colliery. He was 31 years of age and single. For some years being in the Hugglescote Church choir and a teacher in the Sunday School. Much sympathy is felt for his parents and other members of the family.

Coalville Times article - Friday October 13th, 1916

MEMORIAM

In remembrance of George E. Fletcher, reported killed in action, October 13th, 1915.

“We’ll catch the broken threads again
That snapped while they were in our hand
Heaven will the mysteries explain
And then, And then, we’ll understand”

From Louie Farmer, 15, Main Street, Hugglescote

Coalville Times article - Friday October 17th, 1919

IN MEMORIAM

In ever loving memory of Private George Edward Fletcher, 5th Leicesters, who made the supreme sacrifice, October 23rd, 1915.

“We long for household voices gone,
For vanished smiles we long;
But God hath led our dearest ones on,
And He can do no wrong.

No one knows how much we miss him,
None but aching hearts can tell;
Earth has lost him, Heaven has found him
Jesus hath done all things well.”

From his sorrowing Mother, Brothers and Sisters, and Louie.

Coalville Times article - Friday October 15th, 1920

IN MEMORIAM

FLETCHER – In very precious memory of our dear son and brother, George E. Fletcher, who made the supreme sacrifice, October 13th, 1915.

“We think we see him still in life,
Though five years have passed,
But in our memory still he lives,
And will do to the last.
This day bring back sad memories
And those who think of him today,
Are those who loved him best.”

“Our loved one at rest”

From his loving Mother, Brothers and Sisters and Louie.
9, Ibstock Road, Ellistown.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from the Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 10/09/2017