Ian Murray has submitted the following:-
Joseph Martin was born in 1879 at Tanfield, to parents, William and Hannah Fletcher. The 1881 census records the family living at Beamish Red Row. In 1891, Joseph aged 12 was living with his brother Michael, still at Red Row. In 1900, Joseph married Edith Welsh Gibbon from Brandon and in 1901 they were living as boarders with the Calvert family in Brandon village by which time Joseph was a joiner. The 1911 census records him as an estate joiner living with his wife and two children in Matfen.
Joseph enlisted in Consett and served with the 6th Battalion of the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He was killed in action on the 9th April 1917 and is buried in Tilloy British Cemetery.
The Stanley News 24/05/1917 reports:-
Pte. J.M. Fletcher, K.O.Y.L.I. has been killed. He resided at Greencroft Park, near Lanchester and leaves a widow and two sons.
Awards: British War Medal; Victory Medal.
Joseph Martin Fletcher is remembered at Lanchester on L62.01 L62.02 L62.04
