FLETCHER, Donald McDonald
| Service Number: | 532 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 28 February 1915, An original member of B Company |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 18th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Woonona, New South Wales, Australia, 1896 |
| Home Town: | Woonona, Wollongong, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Woonona Superior Public School, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Killed in action, Belgium, 20 September 1917 |
| Cemetery: |
Divisional Collecting Post Cemetery and Extension Plot I, Row L, Grave No. 7. FAR FROM THOSE WHO LOVE HIM IN A HERO'S GRAVE HE LIES |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Bulli Great War Memorial, Bulli Roll of Honour, Bulli-Woonona War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 28 Feb 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 532, 18th Infantry Battalion, An original member of B Company | |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Jun 1915: | Involvement Private, 532, 18th Infantry Battalion, Third Ypres, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '12' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Ceramic embarkation_ship_number: A40 public_note: '' | |
| 25 Jun 1915: | Embarked Private, 532, 18th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ceramic, Sydney | |
| 7 Feb 1917: | Involvement Private, 532, 18th Infantry Battalion, Third Ypres, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '12' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Wiltshire embarkation_ship_number: A18 public_note: '' | |
| 7 Feb 1917: | Embarked Private, 532, 18th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Wiltshire, Sydney |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Donald McDonald Fletcher was born at Woonoona, New South Wales, during 1896, and attended Woonoona Public School. His father, Abraham Fletcher, had died of injuries from a mining accident in the Bulli Colliery during 1906. His mother, Jessie, was left to raise thirteen children.
Donald Fletcher enlisted when he was 18 years of age; he was single and worked as a farmer. Joining up in the newly formed 18th Battalion he landed at Gallipoli with this unit during August 1915. They were involved in several unfortunate assaults within a few weeks of landing and Donald was wounded in the hand during this time. Donald was evacuated to England during September 1915 and was returned to Australia on guard duty a month later.
His elder brother, 5499 Pte. John Burnett Fletcher 13th Battalion AIF was killed in action at Mouquet Farm on 29 August 1916, aged 32.
Donald had to re-attest in Sydney during November 1916, even though he kept the same regimental number. He eventually arrived in Belgium and rejoined the 18th Battalion in August 1917.
He was killed in action in Belgium during the Battle of Menin Road Ridge near Ypres. He was reported missing at first, and later confirmed as killed in action. The Imperial War Graves Commission discovered his remains during 1925, his identity confirmed by the presence of a cigarette holder and his identity disc. The items were forwarded to his mother. Donald was buried at the Divisional Collecting Post Cemetery outside the town of Ypres during 1926.
Donald Fletcher had two other brothers who served in the AIF, 542 Pte. Edgar Fletcher 20th Battalion who was returned to Australia wounded in the right arm during 1917 and 2929 Pte. Abram Fletcher 31st Battalion AIF who was returned to Australia in late 1918.
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