Private Joseph Benjamin Fletcher served four yeas with the Middlesex Militia, ten years with the City of London Volunteers, and four years with the 39th. Norfolk Rifles, Simcoe, Canadian Militia.

Private Joseph Benjamin Fletcher embarked at Quebec for overseas with the Canadian Army Medical Corps September 30th, 1914, arriving at Salisbury Plains October 22nd, 1914, proceeding to France November 6th. He served as stretcher-bearer, and did military police duty, receiving promotion to Corporal April 22nd, 1915, and also the Mons decoration. He was recommended in dispatches for devotion to duty in arresting a supposed German spy. In July 1915 he was afflicted with rheumatism through exposure, was admitted to hospital in France, and later to various hospitals in England, did military police duty while convalescing at Ramsgate, and was given escort duty to Canada in March 1916 with a number of shell-shock cases. He returned to England in June 1916 on the “Empress of Britain”, served as Orderly Corporal at Folkestone, did escort duty in various places in England, and was invalided to Canada February 20th, 1917. He received treatment at the London Central Military Convalescent Hospital until given his discharge August 28th, 1917, but was later taken on the strength of the Military Hospital for eleven months. He then served Dominion Police duty for six weeks when admitted to Guelph Military Hospital for further treatment by order of the Soldiers’ Civil Reestablishment, receiving his final discharge December 31st, 1918.

Private Joseph Benjamin Fletcher received his discharge August 28th, 1917, being medically unfit for further military service. he later received hospital treatment being given his final discharge December 31st, 1918.

 A.M.C. Of Chatham, went to the front with the First Contingent. He had spent a year in France. He returned to Chatham on extended leave, returning to England, arrived home again after nine months of service in England.

He was met at the station by the Mayor and Council with a civic welcome. Corporal Fletcher had been been invalided home suffering from rheumatism. After a ten days visit with his family on Lonsdowne Ave.

He was entered a convalescent hospital in London, ON. for treatment.

The Cpl. who was over 40 years of age, His hair had turned White an he is much thinner, and less robust than he was when he returned home the first time. The Planet. When engaged on escort duty in England taking charge of wounded soldiers transported to the various hospitals in all parts  of Great Britain. He volunteered three times with drafts  to France and three times for Salonica authorities desired to keep him in England.

Corporal Fletcher return with a cane-rifle which he got from a German officer, when he was in France. The glass cane  capable of discharging a service-cartridge when a small button under the handle is pressed. The Corporal has had offer as much as $75.00.       

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Awards	MID, 1914 Star
Sources	IODE, Chatham Daily Planet (22-12-1914), Chatham Daily Planet (12-05-1917), Chatham Daily Planet (28-08-1917), Chatham Daily Planet (27-06-1918)

Height	5' 7 1/2''
Eye Colour	Brown
Age	43
Complexion	Fair
Hair	Dark
Race	White
Birthplace	Seven Cakes, Kent, England
Religion	Baptist
Last Place of Employment	London Life Insurance Company, Chatham
Marital Status	Married
Marriage Info	June 4th, 1892, St. Likes Church, London, E. England
When Enlisted	August 16th, 1914
Where Enlisted	Chatham, Ontario
Allowance from Patriotic Fund	$10.00 per month
Next of Kin	Wife- Mrs. Hannah Elizabeth Fletcher, Son- Private Joseph George Frederick Fletcher (killed in action), Daughter- Lillian Martha Fletcher

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