South Yorkshire Times, January 6th 1945
Young Pilot Killed
Mexborough Family’s Tragic Loss
A Mexborough R.A.F. Officer Flying Officer, Derrick Fletcher (23), only son of Mr. and Mrs. L. Fletcher of Pitt Street, Mexborough, lost his life last Thursday in the course of operations against the enemy. The funeral took place at Mexborough on Wednesday, the coffin having rested the previous night in Mexborough Parish Church.
Flying Officer Fletcher was called up before completing his training as a teacher at the city of Leeds Training College. He went to Canada to complete his training and received his “wings” early 1943. He became Pilot Officer in July 1944 and was promoted Flying Officer last November. He was very musical and could play the organ, piano and double bass. At the early age of 11 he took a full service as organist at St. George’s Church, Mexborough and had also taken services at the Parish Church. He was an old student of Mexborough Secondary School and was very interested in sport. He was captain of the football club and vice-captain in his second year of the cricket eleven, and was also captain of his R.A.F. station football team. He had assisted Mexborough Cricket Club on a number of occasions in first team games and was regarded as a very promising player.
Considerable sympathy will be extended to his young wife who formerly served in the WA.A.F. and to the bereaved parents.
The Rev. E. H. P. Rawlins officiated at a service at the Parish Church, which preceded the interment and in addition to the family mourners a large number of friends and members of the Parish Church and St. George’s attended. Mr. V. R. Hadkins was at the organ and members of the choir were bearers.
C.W.G.C.
Flying Officer Derrick Fletcher
Service Number: 179580
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Died December 28th 1944
Buried at Mexborough Cemetery Sec. A. Uncons. Grave 188
From rafcommands.com
The Lancaster BI NN750 took off 1517 hours on 28 Dec 1944 from Fiskerton. Very seriously damaged by enemy action and despite great difficulty in maintaining control F/O Fletcher skilfully brought the Lancaster back across the Channel using only his trim tabs to keep the bomber in the air. Crash location: United Kingdom.