Hey Guys, I'm doing some family research and looking for info on my Great Grandad. The following information I already have is Cpl William Robert Fletcher Service Number - 4540127 I've also managed to find out that he completed his parachute training on course number 134 at RAF Ringway, from 16 September to 6 October 1944. He was then posted to 12th (Yorkshire) Parachute Battalion. He took part in the 6th Airborne response to the German counter-offensive in the Ardennes during Winter 1944-5. Unfortunately was KIA on the 6th January 1945 (Battle of the Ardennes, I'm led to believe) He is buried in Hotton War Cemetery. We are led to believe that he was awarded the distinguished flying cross and the distinguished flying medal.
Welcome aboard and experts in such matters will be along shortly. new members are always urged to apply for a Service Record, even if the turnaround is reported as a year plus now. See: Request records of deceased service personnel Upload the records here once you've obtained them and then the forum can get to work on them. Please do not pay for any site on the internet who promise you his service records they will not have them, and you would have wasted your money. (More via PM). There are many threads on the 12th, some may be id'd by using the two tags you have already added or search using Google with: "12th (Yorkshire) Parachute Battalion" site:ww2talk.com On a very quick glance the Ardennes does feature. Nothing found to confirm he was awarded the DFC and / or DCM. Curious that a Army Other Rank was awarded such a medal(s) as I assume they are mainly awarded to the RAF etc. Others here know better than I such regulations and the best way to search The Official Gazette, which normally is where awards are listed.
Hi. I can’t imagine he got those medals, they are for pilots. You have to apply for his service records to be sure on dates, places and awards. Myself and a good few others have interests in the 6th Airborne so no doubt we’ll help you as best we can. Alex.
Ive got the original cut out of this at home. I will take some pics tonight of all the belongings i have of him
Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) Air Despatch would have been eligible for the medals too. Regards Bruneval
Check out: The Pegasus Archive War Diary Collection as the owner offers a £ service to have copies of war diaries supplied. The 12th's diaries are listed for 1944-1945, you might have to narrow the date range sought.
Hi. Everyday is a school day! Thanks for that, given his attachment to 12 Para in this case it’s still unlikely.
A search of the London Gazette would confirm whether he was awarded the medals. I always thought DFC was for officers and DFM was for other ranks? Steve
Hey Guys, as promised, Here is the things Ive been handed after my grandad (his son) passed away There was water damage to his certificate from The King which has ruined it. Could this be replaced by the War Office?
