Bernard Campbell Fletcher - Revision history

Ptamansamrat at 12:00, 17 March 2026

2026-03-17T12:00:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:30, 17 March 2026
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	{{Use dmy dates\|date=February 2021}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=February 2021}}
	{{Infobox military person		{{Infobox military person
	\|name= Bernard Campbell Fletcher		\| honorific_prefix = [[Brigadier (United Kingdom)\|Brigadier]]
	\|image=		\| name = Bernard Campbell Fletcher
	\|image_size=		\| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals\|country=GBR\|size=100%\|DSO\|MC}}
	\|alt=		\| image =
	\|caption=		\| image_size =
	\|nickname=		\| alt =
	\|birth_date= {{birth date\|1898\|06\|17\|df=yes}}		\| caption =
	\|birth_place=		\| nickname =
	\|death_date= ~~1968~~ (aged ~~69−70~~)		\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1898\|06\|17\|df=yes}}
	\|death_place=		\| birth_place =
	\|placeofburial=		\| death_date = 1966 (aged 68)
	\|allegiance= United Kingdom		\| death_place =
	\|branch= [[British Army]]		\| placeofburial =
	\|serviceyears= 1916–1948		\| allegiance = United Kingdom
	\|rank= [[Brigadier]]		\| branch = [[British Army]]
	\|servicenumber=		\| serviceyears = 1916–1948
	\|unit= [[Highland Light Infantry]]		\| rank = [[Brigadier]]
	\|commands= {{nowrap\|[[9th Indian Infantry Brigade]] (~~1941–42~~)}}<br/>2nd Battalion, [[Highland Light Infantry]] (~~1938–41~~)		\| servicenumber = 13785
	\|battles= [[First World War]]<br/>[[Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War\|Russian Civil War]]<br>[[1936–1939 Arab revolt in Palestine\|Arab revolt in Palestine]]<br/>[[Second World War]]		\| unit = [[Highland Light Infantry]]
	\|awards= [[Distinguished Service Order]]<br/>[[Military Cross]]<br/>[[Mentioned in Despatches]]		\| commands = {{nowrap\|[[9th Indian Infantry Brigade]] (1941–1942)}}<br/>2nd Battalion, [[Highland Light Infantry]] (1938–1941)
	\|relations=		\| battles = [[First World War]]<br/>[[Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War\|Russian Civil War]]<br>[[1936–1939 Arab revolt in Palestine\|Arab revolt in Palestine]]<br/>[[Second World War]]
	\|laterwork=		\| awards = [[Distinguished Service Order]]<br/>[[Military Cross]]<br/>[[Mentioned in Despatches]]
			\| relations =
			\| laterwork =
	}}		}}
	[[Brigadier]] '''Bernard Campbell Fletcher''', {{postnominals\|country=GBR\|size=100\|sep=,\|DSO\|MC}} (17 June 1898 – ~~1968~~) was an [[Officer (armed forces)\|officer]] of the [[British Army]] active during the [[First World War\|First]] and [[Second World War]]s.		[[Brigadier]] '''Bernard Campbell Fletcher''', {{postnominals\|country=GBR\|size=100\|sep=,\|DSO\|MC}} (17 June 1898 – August 1966) was an [[Officer (armed forces)\|officer]] of the [[British Army]] active during the [[First World War\|First]] and [[Second World War]]s.

	==Military career==		==Military career==
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	In the [[Second World War]] Fletcher and his battalion took part in the [[East African Campaign (World War II)\|East African Campaign]] as an element of the [[10th Indian Infantry Brigade]], which formed part of [[5th Infantry Division (India)\|5th Indian Infantry Division]]. When the brigade's commander, Brigadier [[William Slim, 1st Viscount Slim\|William Slim]], was wounded on 21 January 1941 Fletcher was given temporary command until the arrival of a permanent replacement on 20 March.{{sfn\|Brett-James\|1951\|loc=[http://ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Ball/fire03.html#ch5 Chapter V]}} Reverting to his battalion command, Fletcher was subsequently given command of Fletcher Force,{{sfn\|Brett-James\|1951\|loc=[http://ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Ball/fire03.html#ch5 Chapter V]}} an ad hoc grouping of armour and mobile infantry created to advance into Keren at the end of the [[Battle of Keren]] and to exploit towards Asmara. He was then appointed to command Flitforce (a reference to his nickname),{{sfn\|Brett-James\|1951\|loc=[http://ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Ball/fire04.html Chapter VI]}} an ad hoc grouping created to pursue the retreating Italians towards Adigrat. On 13 April 1941, Fletcher was promoted to command the [[9th Indian Infantry Brigade]], also part of the 5th Indian Infantry Division, an appointment he held until 7 August 1942. For his service during the campaign Fletcher was awarded the [[Distinguished Service Order]],<ref>{{London Gazette \|issue=35396 \|date=26 December 1941 \|page=7333 \|supp=y }}</ref> and was [[mentioned in despatches]].<ref>{{London Gazette \|issue=35396 \|date=26 December 1941 \|page=7348\|supp=y }}</ref>		In the [[Second World War]] Fletcher and his battalion took part in the [[East African Campaign (World War II)\|East African Campaign]] as an element of the [[10th Indian Infantry Brigade]], which formed part of [[5th Infantry Division (India)\|5th Indian Infantry Division]]. When the brigade's commander, Brigadier [[William Slim, 1st Viscount Slim\|William Slim]], was wounded on 21 January 1941 Fletcher was given temporary command until the arrival of a permanent replacement on 20 March.{{sfn\|Brett-James\|1951\|loc=[http://ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Ball/fire03.html#ch5 Chapter V]}} Reverting to his battalion command, Fletcher was subsequently given command of Fletcher Force,{{sfn\|Brett-James\|1951\|loc=[http://ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Ball/fire03.html#ch5 Chapter V]}} an ad hoc grouping of armour and mobile infantry created to advance into Keren at the end of the [[Battle of Keren]] and to exploit towards Asmara. He was then appointed to command Flitforce (a reference to his nickname),{{sfn\|Brett-James\|1951\|loc=[http://ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Ball/fire04.html Chapter VI]}} an ad hoc grouping created to pursue the retreating Italians towards Adigrat. On 13 April 1941, Fletcher was promoted to command the [[9th Indian Infantry Brigade]], also part of the 5th Indian Infantry Division, an appointment he held until 7 August 1942. For his service during the campaign Fletcher was awarded the [[Distinguished Service Order]],<ref>{{London Gazette \|issue=35396 \|date=26 December 1941 \|page=7333 \|supp=y }}</ref> and was [[mentioned in despatches]].<ref>{{London Gazette \|issue=35396 \|date=26 December 1941 \|page=7348\|supp=y }}</ref>

	Fletcher was Commanding Officer, Sub-Area, Middle East from 1942 to 1943 and assistant adjutant and quartermaster-general, Home Forces from 1943 to 1944. He was again appointed temporary [[Colonel (United Kingdom)\|colonel]] and temporary [[Brigadier (United_Kingdom)\|brigadier]] from 2 March 1944, and appointed Brigadier, General Staff British Army Staff, Washington D.C. from 1944 to 1945.<ref>Half Yearly Army List February 1948</ref> He was next posted as assistant adjutant and quartermaster-general, Home Forces in 1945, ~~before retiring~~ from the army on ~~3 September~~ 1948 with the honorary rank of brigadier.<ref>{{London Gazette \|issue=38394\|date=31 August 1948 \|page=4808 \|supp=y }}</ref>		Fletcher was Commanding Officer, Sub-Area, Middle East from 1942 to 1943 and assistant adjutant and quartermaster-general, Home Forces from 1943 to 1944. He was again appointed temporary [[Colonel (United Kingdom)\|colonel]] and temporary [[Brigadier (United_Kingdom)\|brigadier]] from 2 March 1944, and appointed Brigadier, General Staff British Army Staff, Washington D.C. from 1944 to 1945.<ref>Half Yearly Army List February 1948</ref> He was next posted as assistant adjutant and quartermaster-general, Home Forces in 1945. He was posted to Norway in late 1945, where he supervised withdrawal of German forces. In mid-1946 he was sent to Hamburg. In January 1947 he transferred to Iserlohn and in July 1947 to Braunschweig. He retired from the army on in March 1948 and returned to UK with the honorary rank of brigadier.<ref>{{London Gazette \|issue=38394\|date=31 August 1948 \|page=4808 \|supp=y }}</ref> The last three sentences of this biography were added by his surviving daughter Caroline Dalton from personal memory.

	==References==		==References==
	* {{cite book\| first=Antony\| last=Brett-James\| url=http://ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Ball/fireTC.html#TC\| title=Ball of fire – The Fifth Indian Division in the Second World War\| publisher=[[Gale & Polden]]\| year=1951\| location=Aldershot\| oclc=4275700\| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327021347/http://www.ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Ball/fireTC.html#TC\| archive-date=27 March 2020\| url-status=dead}}		* {{cite book\| first=Antony\| last=Brett-James\| author-link = Antony Brett-James \| url=http://ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Ball/fireTC.html#TC\| title=Ball of fire – The Fifth Indian Division in the Second World War\| publisher=[[Gale & Polden]]\| year=1951\| location=Aldershot\| oclc=4275700\| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327021347/http://www.ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Ball/fireTC.html#TC\| archive-date=27 March 2020\| url-status=dead}}

	==Footnotes==		==Footnotes==
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	[[Category:Recipients of the Military Cross]]		[[Category:Recipients of the Military Cross]]
	[[Category:British Army personnel of the Russian Civil War]]		[[Category:British Army personnel of the Russian Civil War]]
	~~[[Category:British Army brigadiers]]~~

UpdateBot: robot: Update article (please report if you notice any mistake or error in this edit)

2022-02-27T01:12:21Z

robot: Update article (please report if you notice any mistake or error in this edit)

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:42, 27 February 2022
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			{{Short description\|British Army officer (1898–1968)}}
	{{Use British English\|date=September 2013}}		{{Use British English\|date=September 2013}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=February 2021}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=February 2021}}
	[[~~Lieutenant colonel~~ (~~United_Kingdom~~)\|~~Lieutenant Colonel~~]] ~~'''Bernard Campbell Fletcher'''~~ [[Distinguished Service Order~~\|DSO~~]], [[Military Cross\|MC]] (17 June 1898 ~~–~~ 1968) was an [[Officer (armed forces)\|officer]] of the [[British Army]] active during the [[World War I\|First ~~World War~~]] and ~~later the~~ [[~~World War II\|~~Second World War]].		{{Infobox military person
			\|name= Bernard Campbell Fletcher
			\|image=
			\|image_size=
			\|alt=
			\|caption=
			\|nickname=
			\|birth_date= {{birth date\|1898\|06\|17\|df=yes}}
			\|birth_place=
			\|death_date= 1968 (aged 69−70)
			\|death_place=
			\|placeofburial=
			\|allegiance= United Kingdom
			\|branch= [[British Army]]
			\|serviceyears= 1916–1948
			\|rank= [[Brigadier]]
			\|servicenumber=
			\|unit= [[Highland Light Infantry]]
			\|commands= {{nowrap\|[[9th Indian Infantry Brigade]] (1941–42)}}<br/>2nd Battalion, [[Highland Light Infantry]] (1938–41)
			\|battles= [[First World War]]<br/>[[Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War\|Russian Civil War]]<br>[[1936–1939 Arab revolt in Palestine\|Arab revolt in Palestine]]<br/>[[Second World War]]
			\|awards= [[Distinguished Service Order]]<br/>[[Military Cross]]<br/>[[Mentioned in Despatches]]
			\|relations=
			\|laterwork=
			}}
			[[Brigadier]] '''Bernard Campbell Fletcher''', {{postnominals\|country=GBR\|size=100\|sep=,\|DSO\|MC}} (17 June 1898 – 1968) was an [[Officer (armed forces)\|officer]] of the [[British Army]] active during the [[First World War\|First]] and [[Second World War]]s.

	==Military career==		==Military career==
	Fletcher was born on 17 June 1898 and was [[Officer (armed forces)\|commissioned]] as a [[second lieutenant]] from the [[Royal Military College, Sandhurst]] into the [[British Army]]'s [[Highland Light Infantry]] on 7 April 1916.<ref>{{London Gazette\| issue=29537\| date=6 April 1916\|page=3685\| supp=y}}</ref> During the [[~~World War I\|~~First World War]] he served in [[Western Front (World War I)\|France and Belgium]] from 21 December 1917 to 23 April 1918, then from 21 June 1918 to 11 November 1918.<ref>Half Yearly Army List January 1946 p.239</ref> He won the [[Military Cross]] (gazetted in March 1919)<ref>{{London Gazette\| issue=31219\| date=9 March 1919\|page=3240\| supp=y}}</ref> and was gassed with mustard gas. The citation for his MC, published in the [[London Gazette]] in October 1919 read:{{quote\|Lt. (A./Capt.) Bernard Campbell Fletcher, High. L.I., attd. 15th Bn. On the 29th September, 1918, in the attack on Le Tronquoy, he led his company through the village, gaining all of his objectives and capturing about ten machine guns and 60 prisoners. He then, reorganised his company himself, having lost all his platoon commanders. Later, his fine example was largely responsible for beating off two enemy counter-attacks, he firing a Lewis gun himself. Throughout he showed most marked courage and did splendid work.<ref>{{London Gazette\| issue=31583\| date=3 October 1919\|page=12290\| supp=y}}</ref>}}		Fletcher was born on 17 June 1898 and was [[Officer (armed forces)\|commissioned]] as a [[second lieutenant]] from the [[Royal Military College, Sandhurst]] into the [[British Army]]'s [[Highland Light Infantry]] on 7 April 1916. [[Valentine Blomfield]], later a major general, was a fellow graduate.<ref>{{London Gazette\| issue=29537\| date=6 April 1916\|page=3685\| supp=y}}</ref> During the [[First World War]] he served in [[Western Front (World War I)\|France and Belgium]] from 21 December 1917 to 23 April 1918, then from 21 June 1918 to 11 November 1918.<ref>Half Yearly Army List January 1946 p.239</ref> He won the [[Military Cross]] (gazetted in March 1919),<ref>{{London Gazette\| issue=31219\| date=9 March 1919\|page=3240\| supp=y}}</ref> and was gassed with mustard gas. The citation for his Military Cross, published in the ''[[London Gazette]]'' in October 1919, read:
			{{quote\|Lt. (A./Capt.) Bernard Campbell Fletcher, High. L.I., attd. 15th Bn. On the 29th September, 1918, in the attack on Le Tronquoy, he led his company through the village, gaining all of his objectives and capturing about ten machine guns and 60 prisoners. He then, reorganised his company himself, having lost all his platoon commanders. Later, his fine example was largely responsible for beating off two enemy counter-attacks, he firing a Lewis gun himself. Throughout he showed most marked courage and did splendid work.<ref>{{London Gazette\| issue=31583\| date=3 October 1919\|page=12290\| supp=y}}</ref>}}

	After the war he spent periods in North Russia (16 August ~~1919~~ to 1 October 1919)<ref>Half Yearly Army List January 1946 p.239</ref> [[Egypt]], [[Palestine (region)\|Palestine]] and [[British Raj\|India]] during which he learned to speak Arabic and Hindustani. In 1929 he returned to England, where he attended the [[Staff College, Camberley]]<ref>{{London Gazette\| issue=33459\| date=22 January 1929\|page=544}}</ref> after which he returned to his regiment in India. Between 25 July 1933 and 24 July 1937 he held an appointment as Staff Captain in India<ref>{{London Gazette\| issue=33963\| date=25 July 1933\|page=4964}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette\| issue=34432\| date=3 September 1937\|page=5563}}</ref><ref>Half Yearly Army List January 1946 p.236</ref> and was promoted to [[Major (United Kingdom)\|major]] 4 October 1935.<ref>{{London Gazette\| issue=34204\| date=4 October 1935\|page=6217}}</ref> At some point between 1937 and 1939 he served in Palestine during the [[1936–1939 Arab revolt in Palestine\|Arab revolt]].<ref>Half Yearly Army List January 1946 p.236</ref> In 1938 he ~~was given~~ command of the 2nd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry{{sfn\|Brett-James\|1951\| loc=[http://ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Ball/fire04.html Chapter VI]}} and his promotion to [[Lieutenant colonel (~~United_Kingdom~~)\|lieutenant colonel]] was gazetted 1 July 1939.<ref>{{London Gazette\| issue=34641\| date=30 June 1939\|page=4438}}</ref>		After the war Fletcher spent periods in North Russia during the [[Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War\|Russian Civil War]] (16 August to 1 October 1919),<ref>Half Yearly Army List January 1946 p.239</ref> Egypt, [[Palestine (region)\|Palestine]] and [[British Raj\|India]], during which he learned to speak Arabic and Hindustani. In 1929 he returned to England, where he attended the [[Staff College, Camberley]],<ref>{{London Gazette\| issue=33459\| date=22 January 1929\|page=544}}</ref> after which he returned to his regiment in India. Between 25 July 1933 and 24 July 1937 he held an appointment as Staff Captain in India,<ref>{{London Gazette\| issue=33963\| date=25 July 1933\|page=4964}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette\| issue=34432\| date=3 September 1937\|page=5563}}</ref><ref>Half Yearly Army List January 1946 p.236</ref> and was promoted to [[Major (United Kingdom)\|major]] on 4 October 1935.<ref>{{London Gazette\| issue=34204\| date=4 October 1935\|page=6217}}</ref> At some point between 1937 and 1939 he served in Palestine during the [[1936–1939 Arab revolt in Palestine\|Arab revolt]].<ref>Half Yearly Army List January 1946 p.236</ref> In 1938 he succeeded [[Horatio Berney-Ficklin]] in command of the 2nd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry,{{sfn\|Brett-James\|1951\| loc=[http://ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Ball/fire04.html Chapter VI]}} and his promotion to [[Lieutenant colonel (United Kingdom)\|lieutenant colonel]] was gazetted 1 July 1939.<ref>{{London Gazette\| issue=34641\| date=30 June 1939\|page=4438}}</ref>

	In [[World War II]] Fletcher and his battalion took part in the [[East African Campaign (World War II)\|East African Campaign]] as an element of the [[10th Indian Infantry Brigade]] which formed part of [[5th Infantry Division (India)\|5th Indian Infantry Division]]. When the brigade's commander, [[William Slim, 1st Viscount Slim\|William ~~"Bill"~~ Slim]], was wounded on 21 January 1941 Fletcher was given temporary command until the arrival of a permanent replacement on 20 March.{{sfn\|Brett-James\|1951\|loc=[http://ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Ball/fire03.html#ch5 Chapter V]}} Reverting to his battalion command, Fletcher was subsequently given command of Fletcher Force,{{sfn\|Brett-James\|1951\|loc=[http://ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Ball/fire03.html#ch5 Chapter V]}} an ad hoc grouping of armour and mobile infantry created to advance into Keren at the end of the [[Battle of Keren]] and to exploit towards Asmara. He was then appointed to command Flitforce (a reference to his nickname),{{sfn\|Brett-James\|1951\|loc=[http://ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Ball/fire04.html Chapter VI]}} an ad hoc grouping created to pursue the retreating Italians towards Adigrat. On 13 April 1941, Fletcher was promoted to command the [[9th Indian Infantry Brigade]], also part of the 5th Indian Infantry Division, an appointment he held until 7 August 1942. For his service during the campaign Fletcher was awarded the ~~DSO~~<ref>{{London Gazette \|issue=35396 \|date=26 December 1941 \|page=7333 \|supp=y }}</ref> and was [[mentioned in despatches]].<ref>{{London Gazette \|issue=35396 \|date=26 December 1941 \|page=7348\|supp=y }}</ref>		In the [[Second World War]] Fletcher and his battalion took part in the [[East African Campaign (World War II)\|East African Campaign]] as an element of the [[10th Indian Infantry Brigade]], which formed part of [[5th Infantry Division (India)\|5th Indian Infantry Division]]. When the brigade's commander, Brigadier [[William Slim, 1st Viscount Slim\|William Slim]], was wounded on 21 January 1941 Fletcher was given temporary command until the arrival of a permanent replacement on 20 March.{{sfn\|Brett-James\|1951\|loc=[http://ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Ball/fire03.html#ch5 Chapter V]}} Reverting to his battalion command, Fletcher was subsequently given command of Fletcher Force,{{sfn\|Brett-James\|1951\|loc=[http://ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Ball/fire03.html#ch5 Chapter V]}} an ad hoc grouping of armour and mobile infantry created to advance into Keren at the end of the [[Battle of Keren]] and to exploit towards Asmara. He was then appointed to command Flitforce (a reference to his nickname),{{sfn\|Brett-James\|1951\|loc=[http://ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Ball/fire04.html Chapter VI]}} an ad hoc grouping created to pursue the retreating Italians towards Adigrat. On 13 April 1941, Fletcher was promoted to command the [[9th Indian Infantry Brigade]], also part of the 5th Indian Infantry Division, an appointment he held until 7 August 1942. For his service during the campaign Fletcher was awarded the [[Distinguished Service Order]],<ref>{{London Gazette \|issue=35396 \|date=26 December 1941 \|page=7333 \|supp=y }}</ref> and was [[mentioned in despatches]].<ref>{{London Gazette \|issue=35396 \|date=26 December 1941 \|page=7348\|supp=y }}</ref>

	He was again appointed temporary [[Colonel (~~United_Kingdom~~)\|colonel]] and temporary [[Brigadier (United_Kingdom)\|brigadier]], 2 March 1944.		Fletcher was Commanding Officer, Sub-Area, Middle East from 1942 to 1943 and assistant adjutant and quartermaster-general, Home Forces from 1943 to 1944. He was again appointed temporary [[Colonel (United Kingdom)\|colonel]] and temporary [[Brigadier (United_Kingdom)\|brigadier]] from 2 March 1944, and appointed Brigadier, General Staff British Army Staff, Washington D.C. from 1944 to 1945.<ref>Half Yearly Army List February 1948</ref> He was next posted as assistant adjutant and quartermaster-general, Home Forces in 1945, before retiring from the army on 3 September 1948 with the honorary rank of brigadier.<ref>{{London Gazette \|issue=38394\|date=31 August 1948 \|page=4808 \|supp=y }}</ref>

	~~Fletcher retired~~ from the army on 3 September 1948 ~~a lieutenant colonel and was granted~~ the honorary rank of brigadier.<ref>{{London Gazette \|issue=38394\|date=31 August 1948 \|page=4808 \|supp=y }}</ref>

	~~==Command history==~~
	* Acting Commanding Officer, Indian 10th Infantry Brigade, [[Indian 5th Infantry Division]], [[Sudan]] - 1941
	* Commanding Officer, Indian 9th Infantry Brigade, [[Indian 5th Infantry Division]], [[Eritrea]] - 1941 to 1942
	* Commanding Officer, Sub-Area, [[Middle East]] - 1942 to 1943
	* Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster-General, Home Forces - 1943 to 1944
	* Brigadier, General Staff British Army Staff, Washington DC - 1944 to 1945<ref>Half Yearly Army List February 1948</ref>
	* Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster-General, Home Forces - 1945

	~~==See also==~~
	* [[East African Campaign (World War II)\|East African Campaign]]

	==References==		==References==
	* {{cite book\| first=Antony\| last=Brett-James\| url=http://ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Ball/fireTC.html#TC\| title=Ball of fire - The Fifth Indian Division in the Second World War\| publisher=[[Gale & Polden]]\| year=1951\| location=Aldershot\| oclc=4275700\| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327021347/http://www.ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Ball/fireTC.html#TC\| archive-date=27 March 2020\| url-status=dead}}		* {{cite book\| first=Antony\| last=Brett-James\| url=http://ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Ball/fireTC.html#TC\| title=Ball of fire – The Fifth Indian Division in the Second World War\| publisher=[[Gale & Polden]]\| year=1951\| location=Aldershot\| oclc=4275700\| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327021347/http://www.ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Ball/fireTC.html#TC\| archive-date=27 March 2020\| url-status=dead}}

	==Footnotes==		==Footnotes==
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	[[Category:1968 deaths]]		[[Category:1968 deaths]]
	[[Category:British Army personnel of World War I]]		[[Category:British Army personnel of World War I]]
	[[Category:British Army ~~personnel~~ of World War II]]		[[Category:British Army brigadiers of World War II]]
	[[Category:British military personnel of the 1936–1939 Arab revolt in Palestine]]		[[Category:British military personnel of the 1936–1939 Arab revolt in Palestine]]
	[[Category:Companions of the Distinguished Service Order]]		[[Category:Companions of the Distinguished Service Order]]
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	[[Category:Highland Light Infantry officers]]		[[Category:Highland Light Infantry officers]]
	[[Category:Recipients of the Military Cross]]		[[Category:Recipients of the Military Cross]]
			[[Category:British Army personnel of the Russian Civil War]]
			[[Category:British Army brigadiers]]

>Chris the speller: /* Military career */replaced: England → England,

2021-03-04T03:57:14Z

Military career: replaced: England → England,

New page

{{Use British English|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
[[Lieutenant colonel (United_Kingdom)|Lieutenant Colonel]] '''Bernard Campbell Fletcher''' [[Distinguished Service Order|DSO]], [[Military Cross|MC]] (17 June 1898 – 1968) was an [[Officer (armed forces)|officer]] of the [[British Army]] active during the [[World War I|First World War]] and later the [[World War II|Second World War]].

==Military career==
Fletcher was born on 17 June 1898 and was [[Officer (armed forces)|commissioned]] as a [[second lieutenant]] from the [[Royal Military College, Sandhurst]] into the [[British Army]]'s [[Highland Light Infantry]] on 7 April 1916.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=29537| date=6 April 1916|page=3685| supp=y}}</ref> During the [[World War I|First World War]] he served in [[Western Front (World War I)|France and Belgium]] from 21 December 1917 to 23 April 1918, then from 21 June 1918 to 11 November 1918.<ref>Half Yearly Army List January 1946 p.239</ref> He won the [[Military Cross]] (gazetted in March 1919)<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=31219| date=9 March 1919|page=3240| supp=y}}</ref> and was gassed with mustard gas. The citation for his MC, published in the [[London Gazette]] in October 1919 read:{{quote|Lt. (A./Capt.) Bernard Campbell Fletcher, High. L.I., attd. 15th Bn. On the 29th September, 1918, in the attack on Le Tronquoy, he led his company through the village, gaining all of his objectives and capturing about ten machine guns and 60 prisoners. He then, reorganised his company himself, having lost all his platoon commanders. Later, his fine example was largely responsible for beating off two enemy counter-attacks, he firing a Lewis gun himself. Throughout he showed most marked courage and did splendid work.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=31583| date=3 October 1919|page=12290| supp=y}}</ref>}}

After the war he spent periods in North Russia (16 August 1919 to 1 October 1919)<ref>Half Yearly Army List January 1946 p.239</ref> [[Egypt]], [[Palestine (region)|Palestine]] and [[British Raj|India]] during which he learned to speak Arabic and Hindustani. In 1929 he returned to England, where he attended the [[Staff College, Camberley]]<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=33459| date=22 January 1929|page=544}}</ref> after which he returned to his regiment in India. Between 25 July 1933 and 24 July 1937 he held an appointment as Staff Captain in India<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=33963| date=25 July 1933|page=4964}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette| issue=34432| date=3 September 1937|page=5563}}</ref><ref>Half Yearly Army List January 1946 p.236</ref> and was promoted to [[Major (United Kingdom)|major]] 4 October 1935.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=34204| date=4 October 1935|page=6217}}</ref> At some point between 1937 and 1939 he served in Palestine during the [[1936–1939 Arab revolt in Palestine|Arab revolt]].<ref>Half Yearly Army List January 1946 p.236</ref> In 1938 he was given command of the 2nd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry{{sfn|Brett-James|1951| loc=[http://ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Ball/fire04.html Chapter VI]}} and his promotion to [[Lieutenant colonel (United_Kingdom)|lieutenant colonel]] was gazetted 1 July 1939.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=34641| date=30 June 1939|page=4438}}</ref>

In [[World War II]] Fletcher and his battalion took part in the [[East African Campaign (World War II)|East African Campaign]] as an element of the [[10th Indian Infantry Brigade]] which formed part of [[5th Infantry Division (India)|5th Indian Infantry Division]]. When the brigade's commander, [[William Slim, 1st Viscount Slim|William "Bill" Slim]], was wounded on 21 January 1941 Fletcher was given temporary command until the arrival of a permanent replacement on 20 March.{{sfn|Brett-James|1951|loc=[http://ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Ball/fire03.html#ch5 Chapter V]}} Reverting to his battalion command, Fletcher was subsequently given command of Fletcher Force,{{sfn|Brett-James|1951|loc=[http://ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Ball/fire03.html#ch5 Chapter V]}} an ad hoc grouping of armour and mobile infantry created to advance into Keren at the end of the [[Battle of Keren]] and to exploit towards Asmara. He was then appointed to command Flitforce (a reference to his nickname),{{sfn|Brett-James|1951|loc=[http://ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Ball/fire04.html Chapter VI]}} an ad hoc grouping created to pursue the retreating Italians towards Adigrat. On 13 April 1941, Fletcher was promoted to command the [[9th Indian Infantry Brigade]], also part of the 5th Indian Infantry Division, an appointment he held until 7 August 1942. For his service during the campaign Fletcher was awarded the DSO<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=35396 |date=26 December 1941 |page=7333 |supp=y }}</ref> and was [[mentioned in despatches]].<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=35396 |date=26 December 1941 |page=7348|supp=y }}</ref>

He was again appointed temporary [[Colonel (United_Kingdom)|colonel]] and temporary [[Brigadier (United_Kingdom)|brigadier]], 2 March 1944.

Fletcher retired from the army on 3 September 1948 a lieutenant colonel and was granted the honorary rank of brigadier.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=38394|date=31 August 1948 |page=4808 |supp=y }}</ref>

==Command history==
* Acting Commanding Officer, Indian 10th Infantry Brigade, [[Indian 5th Infantry Division]], [[Sudan]] - 1941
* Commanding Officer, Indian 9th Infantry Brigade, [[Indian 5th Infantry Division]], [[Eritrea]] - 1941 to 1942
* Commanding Officer, Sub-Area, [[Middle East]] - 1942 to 1943
* Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster-General, Home Forces - 1943 to 1944
* Brigadier, General Staff British Army Staff, Washington DC - 1944 to 1945<ref>Half Yearly Army List February 1948</ref>
* Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster-General, Home Forces - 1945

==See also==
* [[East African Campaign (World War II)|East African Campaign]]

==References==
* {{cite book| first=Antony| last=Brett-James| url=http://ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Ball/fireTC.html#TC| title=Ball of fire - The Fifth Indian Division in the Second World War| publisher=[[Gale & Polden]]| year=1951| location=Aldershot| oclc=4275700| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327021347/http://www.ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Ball/fireTC.html#TC| archive-date=27 March 2020| url-status=dead}}

==Footnotes==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[http://www.generals.dk/general/Fletcher/Bernard_Campbell/Great_Britain.html Generals of World War II]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fletcher, Bernard Campbell}}
[[Category:1898 births]]
[[Category:1968 deaths]]
[[Category:British Army personnel of World War I]]
[[Category:British Army personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:British military personnel of the 1936–1939 Arab revolt in Palestine]]
[[Category:Companions of the Distinguished Service Order]]
[[Category:Graduates of the Royal Military College, Sandhurst]]
[[Category:Graduates of the Staff College, Camberley]]
[[Category:Highland Light Infantry officers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Military Cross]]