Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Harold Jackson Fletcher (Jack), son of Mr. E. Fletcher, solicitor, Goondiwindi, and brother of Capt. E.D. Fletcher and Kenneth C Fletcher, was a pupil at Clayfield in the years 1926-27.  After leaving school he worked for some time on properties in the Glen Innis and Quilpie districts.  He then left the land to study for the legal profession, but he preferred the life on the land and was back in Central Queensland until the outbreak of war, when he decided to apply for admission to the Air Force.  After preliminary training he was sent to Townsville for 12 months and was engated in transport work between that town and New Guinea.  In July 1943, he was transferred to Cottamundra, thence to Canada and eventually to Enlgand.  He wa wireless operator on a plane which crashed on the 8th June last, all the members of the crew losing their lives.  Jack was married in 1941 to Miss Sheila T Simpson of Warwick, and in 1943 a son was born.  Unfortunately the little baby had to undergo an operation from which it never recovered.  To the widow who has experienced this double tragedy and to his relatives we extend our sincerest sympathies.

Air Accident
Warrant Officer H. J. Fletcher Killed

Mrs. H. J. - Fletcher, of Warwick, was advised by the Air Department this week that her husband, Warrant Officer Harold Jackson Fletcher (32), wireless gunner, lost his in an aircraft accident in Wales early on the morning, of June 8. The late W/O Fletcher was the third son of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Fletcher, of Goondlwindi, but formerly of Warwick. Mr Fletcher, sen, having been an alderman of the Warwick City Council for several years. The late W/O Fletcher, was a member of, the crew of an Anson plane which crashed at South Bethesda (North Wales) whilst engaged on a non-operational flight. His remains were interred in the Blacon cemetery, Chester (England) on Monday afternoon. Deceased, who was well and favourably known to many Warwick residents, enlisted to Brisbane 3 years ago and obtained his wings at Evans Head. He was engaged to transport flying operations to the northern-war theatre for some time and went to England in November last year. His death occurred a few days after the invasion operations commenced.

The late W/O Fletcher was born at Goondiwindi and educated at the Brisbane Boys' College, and prior to his enlistment he was on a station, property at Lawn Hill, in the Carpentaria district. He is survived by his widow (nee Miss Sheila Simpson, sister of Mrs R. C. Dent, Warwick, and of Mrs H. D McDonald, Greymare), 2 brothers. (Captain Donald Fletcher, AIF and Mr Kenneth Fletcher), and 3 sisters (Mrs Rex Seattle, Goondiwindi, and Mrs Erle Munro Pentlands, North, Queensland.

He is remembered on the Warwick Roll of Honour