Lance Corporal James L Fletcher

James Leslie Fletcher, the son of James and Ellen Fletcher, of Claverden, Warwickshire, originally enlisted into The Worcestershire Regiment on 15 February 1940.

When an announcement was made in Unit Part One Orders asking for volunteers to expand Britain’s Airborne Forces, James responded to the call. After passing the selection tests he was posted to the 2nd Parachute Battalion, and went on to complete a preliminary parachute course, using basic equipment.

He then went on the 3rd Advanced Parachute Course, which also took place at RAF Ringway, 21 – 29 January 1942, using some of the new techniques and equipment. He was then assigned to No 1 Platoon Headquarters (commanded by Lieutenant Dennis Rendell and he became his batman) in A Company, of the 2nd Parachute Battalion and in November 1942 he sailed to North Africa with the rest of the 1st Parachute Brigade as part of ‘Operation Torch’.

On the 29 November 1942 he took off, with the rest of the 2nd Parachute Battalion, in forty four Dakota’s from Maison Blanche airfield to drop at Depienne airfield in Tunisia.

Over the next twenty four hours they were in almost constant contact with the enemy. Lance Corporal Fletcher was mortally wounded by shell-fire and died on the evening of  30 November 1942, aged 23.

He is buried at Massicault war Cemetery, Tunisa, in Collective Grave.

Grave photo via British 1st Airborne Operations 1941 – 1943 face-book site.