The Airmen's Stories - S/Ldr. A W Fletcher
Andrew William Fletcher, of Cardston, Alberta, Canada was born on 15th January 1915. He received his private pilots license at the Lethbridge Flying Club at the age of 18.
Fletcher joined the RAF on a short service commission in July 1935. He went to 5 FTS Sealand on 28th September and after training was posted to SHQ RAF Calshot on 20th July 1936 as an instructor on flying boats.
In July 1940 Fletcher was serving with 235 Squadron as 'B' Flight Commander. He was awarded the DFC (gazetted 22nd October 1940) and posted away in November 1940 to command 272 Squadron.
He received a Mention in Despatches in January 1941.
In May 272 Squadron went to the Middle East and Fletcher led a detachment to Malta in mid-July. On the 28th he destroyed four SM79s and damaged two CR42s on the ground at Borizzo airfield, on the 30th he destroyed three SM79s on the ground at Elmas airfield and on 28th September he probably shot down two enemy aircraft at night.
At the end of his tour in October 1941 Fletcher was awarded a Bar to the DFC (gazetted 31st October 1941) and posted away.
Above: Fletcher with his wife Ethel (nee Tenney), an army nurse, they married in 1943.
He was released from the RAF in 1946, returned to Canada and went farming in Warner, Alberta.
Fletcher died in 1978.
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