LIEUT. ERIC FLETCHER

Another promising career has been cut off in the prime of manhood by the falling in action of Lieut. Eric Graham Fletcher, South Lancashire Regiment, the last surviving son of Mr. and Mrs. John Fletcher, of Hamilton House, Church Walk, Ulverston, and late of Greenbank.  The gallant young officer was in the thick of the fighting in which the South Lancashires took such a prominent part in the big British offensive at the beginning of this month, and on Monday morning the following wire was received by his parents: - “Deeply regret to inform you that Lieut. E. G. Fletcher, South Lancashire Regiment, was killed in action July 4th. The Army Council express their sympathy.” Lieut. Fletcher, who was born at Rock House and educated at Eckersley’s School, was 28 years of age.  He served his articles with Messrs. Settle and Brundritt, architects, Ulverston, and obtained his commission on the 14th August, 1914, being at that time in the office of a leading firm of Liverpool architects, Messrs. Woolfall and Eccles.  During the furious fighting at Hill 60 in May of last year he was wounded by shrapnel, and suffering severely from shock he was invalided home.  He returned to the front at the end of January. Much sympathy is extended to Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher in their affliction.  Lieut. Fletcher’s eldest brother Arthur took part in the Boer War as a member of the first Active Service Company of the 4th King’s Own.  His cousin, Capt. Colin MacDonald, of the 7th Gurkha Rifles, has been killed at Mesopotamia, and another cousin, Capt. Jas. B. Dinwidie, of the 1st Border Regiment, wounded twice in Gallipoli, has died in hospital in London.