William Henry Fletcher was born and lived in Yorkshire. Bill had 5 sisters and they were raised in Otley. He enlisted into The Royal Artillery and later volunteered for Airborne Forces. Private Fletcher successfully completed parachute training on course number 101 at RAF Ringway from 31 January to 13 February 1944, his course report stated ‘confident performer’, and he was then posted to 7th (Light Infantry) Parachute Battalion.

He fought in the Normandy campaign and took part in the 6th Airborne Division response to the German counter-offensive in the Ardennes, during Winter 1944-5.

Pte Fletcher died of wounds on 4 January 1945, aged 23, and had a field burial at Waveveille, north of road between the church and cross roads. He was later reinterred in Hotton War Cemetery on 21 May 1947.