#6115, Archibald Douglas William FLETCHER

Son of Miles Angus Fletcher and Charlotte Catherine Clavering. Capt. Fletcher also had a daughter, Elizabeth Nicolls Fletcher who died 6.9.1937.

Capt. Fletcher, RN entered the Navy in 1836 and was midshipman and mate of the Endymion under the late Sir Frederick Grey in the first China war, taking part in the attack upon Chin Kiang Foo and other operations (medal). He was promoted mate of the Endymion in February 1842, and served next in the Dwarf until promoted to his lieutenancy, 30th Decenber 1845. From January 1846 to October 1847 he served in the Elrctra on the North American and West Indian Station until invalided.

His next ship was the Queen, Captain Bruce, in which he served for a few months in 1848 until his health, weakened by exposure in China, again broke down. From July 1849 to 1854, he was employed at Portsmouth and in the Channel as lieutenant of the Cuckoo and Dasher, after which he did duty in the guardship at Devonport. At the close of 1854 he was ordered to join our Black Sea squadron as lieutenant-commander of the Triton in place of Commander Hency Lloyd, promoted into the Wasp. In command of the Triton he served in the naval operations against Sebastopol in 1855, and also took part in the expedition to Kinburn in October 1855 when his ship was in attendance on the St. Jean d'Acre.

At the close Lieutenant Fletcher was promoted to the rank of commander, receiving the Crimean medal with Sebastopol clasp, and the Turkish medal. From 1858 to 1863 he was employed as an inspecting commander in the Coastguard, first at Montrose and subsequently at Aldborough.

Naval & Military Gazette, 22nd March 1882.