Harry Luke Fletcher was born in the spring of 1889 in the Dorset town of Gillingham. The youngest of eight children, his parents were James and Mary Fletcher. James was an agricultural labourer-turned-gardener, but when his youngest left school, he took a different path.

The 1911 census found the family living in a four-roomed cottage on Wyke Road, Gillingham. James was retired by this point, and he and Mary shared their home with their daughter Bessie, who was employed as a glover. Harry completed the household, and he was working as a printer in the local iron works.

When war broke out, Harry was called upon to play his part. His service records have been lost to time, sadly, but, it is clear that he enlisted in the Dorsetshire Regiment, and was assigned to the 1st/4th Battalion. They served in South Asia, and it is likely that Harry – who rose to the rank of Corporal – spent the war in India and Mesopotamia.

Harry survived the conflict, and returned to Britain after the Armistice, waiting to be demobbed. During this time he fell ill, and passed away on 5th April 1919. He was 29 years of age.

The body of Harry Luke Fletcher was laid to rest in Gillingham Cemetery, not far from where his family were still living.

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