image

Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 18002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 142

The Africa General Service Medal awarded to Captain H. W. Fletcher, East Lancashire Regiment, attached King's African Rifles, who died as a result of blackwater fever whilst attempting to save the lives of suffering brother Officer's on an elephant shooting expedition in 1906

Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1902-04 (Capt: H. W. O. Fletcher. E. Lanc: Regt. & K. A. Rif:), very fine

Henry William Fletcher was born in 1868, the son of Reverend J. J. K. Fletcher, Rector of Whittlebury, Northampton. Having been commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the East Lancashire Regiment, he was attached to the 4th (Uganda) Battalion, King's African Rifles in August 1896. Promoted Captain on 25 May 1902, he served as a Company Commander during the Somaliland operations. With fellow Officers of the King's African Rifles, Fletcher was present for an elephant shooting expedition around Nimule during May 1906. When three of their party began suffering from blackwater fever, he had attempted to assist those taken ill, but himself caught the fever and died on 24 May 1906, aged just 38 (Northampton Mercury, 1 June 1906 and Clifton Society, 7 June 1906 refer); sold with copied research.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£400