Samuel Fletcher
Samuel Fletcher was born in Pontypridd and lived in Ystradgynlais. He joined the Royal Army Medical Corps but died of an asthma attack just as he had completed training and was about to be sent to the front.
The information on Samuel Fletcher has been compiled from a number of sources, including the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the Labour Voice newspaper, and the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives).
| Name | Samuel Fletcher |
| Date of Death | 21st December 1915 |
| Place of Death | Cambridge Hospital, Aldershot |
| Age at Death | 47 |
| Unit and Regiment | Royal Army Medical Corps |
| Rank | Private |
| Service Number | 62781 |
| Additional Information | Born Pontypridd. Lived Ystradgynlais |
| Grave | LYDBROOK BAPTIST CHAPELYARD – GLOUCESTERSHIRE UK; 3. 4. |
| Local Memorials | Ystradgynlais War Memorial |
| Family Details | Husband of Alice Havard (formerly Fletcher, born Worcester 1872) of Church Road, Ystradgynlais, Swansea. Note - from the article below his mother is Annie, living in Lydbrook, Gloucs. |
| Sons | Thomas J, born 1897 in Lydbrook, Gloucestershire Ivor, born 1906 in Aberdare, Glamorganshire Idris, born 1909 in Ystradgynlais |
| Daughters | L.C. as mentioned in the article below Bertha, born 1895 in Lydbrook, Gloucestershire Gladys M, born 1899 in Lydbrook, Gloucestershire |
| Known Brothers | John Fletcher Isaac Fletcher |
| Known Sisters | 3 who married Mr G R Jones, Mr J C Martin and Mr W Price
Note - from the newspaper article, these are probably George Jones and his wife Merwyn (nee Fletcher) and Jim Martin and his wife Cissie (nee Fletcher) |
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Samuel Fletcher To the left is the article from 8th January's edition of the weekly Labour Voice newspaper reporting on the funeral of Samuel Fletcher at Lydbrook Baptist Chapel. |
The Llais Llafur of the 8th August 1915 recorded the call-up of Samuel Fletcher:-
Mr Samuel Fletcher, of Ty Coch Yniscedwyn, a well known and highly qualified local member of the St John Ambulance Brigade, has been called up for work with the R A M C and proceeded to Aldershot on Wednesday. We learn that he will be concerned with hospital work.
Fom the Llais 4th December 1915 :-
R. A. M. C. MAN HOME
Private Sam Fletcher who has been stationed with the R A M C at Dublin returned home for 48 hours’ leave last weekend. He has now journeyed to Woolwich and expects to be sent out on Imperial service very soon.
From the Labour Voice newspaper, 1st January 1916 :-
It is with deep regret that we report the death of Private Samuel Fletcher of the RAMC and late of Ty Coch, Ystradgynlais which took place under tragic circumstances on Tuesday of last week. Pte Fletcher was at Aldershot preparatory to leaving for France when he had an attack of asthma which resulted in his death.
He was a native of Aberdare but had lived in Ystradgynlais for many years.
He was employed at Yniscedwyn Tin plate works.
Interment took place at the Forest of Dean on Christmas Day.
The deceased leaves a widow and six children.
From the Labour Voice newspaper, 8th January 1916 :-
MILITARY FUNERAL OF YSTRAD PRIVATE
The funeral took place on Saturday last, of Pte. Samuel E. Fletcher, of the R.A.M.C., whose death was reported in our last issue at the Baptist Chapel, Lydbrook. At the wish of his widowed mother, the body was brought to Lydbrook on December 24th for interment in the family burial ground at the above mentioned chapel. Previous to the start of the cortege, the hymn "Jesu, lover of my soul" was sung by the large asembly. The procession was headed by the Trafalgar Brass Band, who played the "Dead March" from the home to the chapel, soldiers on leave joining in the procession, also the Lydbrook Volunteer Training Corps, and a large number of friends also attended to pay their last respects. The manifestations of sympathy shown along the route to the graveyard were universal. The coffin which was covered by the Union Jack was borne into the chapel by six soldiers. In the chapel, "O rest in the Lord" was rendered as a voluntary. A very impressive service was conducted by the Rev. Mostyn M. Jones, Lydbrook, who gave an appropriate address. The hymn "Aberystwyth" was afterwards sung. The coffin was lowered into the grave by soldier-bearers, "The Last Post" being sounded by a bandsman of the 1st Herefords.
The chief mourners were Mrs Fletcher (wife), Mr John Fletcher (son), Misses L.C., Bertha and Gladys Fletcher (daughters), Ivor and Idris Fletcher (sons), John and Isaac Fletcher (brothers), Mrs G.R. Jones and Mrs J.C. Martin (sisters), Mr J.C. Martin (brother-in-law), Mr and Mrs W. Price (sister and brother-in-law), D. and G. Price (nieces), Miss B Roblins, Stowport (sister-in-law), T. , H. and A. Price (nephews)
Telegrams expressing sympathy and regret at being unable to attend were received from many friends. Deceased's mother, who is an invalid, was also unable to attend. There were many beautiful flowers including one very artistic wreath from the Officers, NCO'S and Men of the E. Company, R.A.M.C., Aldershot. Other floral tributes were from the wife, the children, mother (Annie, George and Merwyn, Cissie, Jim and family, Bertha (sister-in-law), Mrs Hodges (nurse), Mrs Evans (Yniscedwyn) and others. A memorial service was held the same evening at the Baptist Church, when the Rev. Mostyn Jones preached an impressive sermon from the words "He thanked his God and took courage".
From the Labour Voice newspaper, 23rd December 1916 :-
IN MEMORIAM FLETCHER
In loving memory of Private Samuel Fletcher of the R.A.M.C. and late of Tycoch, Ystradgynlais who died of sickness at Cambridge Hospital, Aldershot, on 21st December 1915, and who was buried with military honours at Gloucestershire on 26th Dec. From sorrowing wife and children:
A light is from our household gone
A voice we loved is stilled
A place is vacant in out home
That never can be filled.
Peace, perfect peace.