Fletcher, Wilfred

During the early days of the 20th century, the majority of Canadian immigrants were of British origin. They came from all walks of life, and settled in communities across the country, including southern Alberta. The bonds to their homeland were very close, as in many cases they had left behind parents, siblings, and other extended family. On August 3, 1914, Britain formally entered the First World War, and so too did her colonies, including Canada. Most men joined up with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces, but some patriotic young British men chose to return home and serve with the British Expeditionary Forces and other branches of the British military. One such man was Wilfred Fletcher. Wilfred Fletcher was born in July 1883 in England to Mr. and Mrs. J.S. Fletcher. Not much is known about his early life or other family members. In 1907, Wilfred immigrated to Canada, making his home in Lethbridge, Alberta, with his wife, Ethel. The couple had one child. Wilfred was employed as a traveler with the Western Canada Agency. Just days after the outbreak of the Great War, Wilfred Fletcher hurried home to enlist for duty with the 2nd Battalion King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. His wife and baby left at the same time, and set up a home in Surrey. He participated in the earliest battles of the war, including Mons and the First Battle of Ypres. Pte Fletcher wrote back to Lethbridge often, and indicated that he felt the war was going to be a long one. He stated that he was one of thirteen Canadians in his unit, and the group was nicknamed the ‘The Lucky Canucks’. On October 29, 1914, Pte Fletcher was killed in action in Belgium. He was the first Lethbridge man to lose his life in the Great War. As his remains were never recovered or identified, he is remembered on the Le Touret Memorial. Wilfred Fletcher was awarded the 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals. His wife, Ethel received the death plaque and scroll in honour of her husband