Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Biographer, Historian and Friend 

On Christmas morning while drinking tea in his home at Point Clare, Mr. George Fletcher, Health and Building Inspector of Gosford Municipality, fell forward unconscious.
Medical aid was quickly called and it was found that Mr. Fletcher was suffering from severe cerebral haemorrhage and was dying.
 In a last effort, the Mayor, Ald. W. C. Grahame, who had driven at once to Mr. Fletcher's home when notified by Mr. N. G. Howes, the town clerk, called in two other professional men for a consultation but nothing could be done and Mr. Fletcher passed away in a few hours without regaining consciousness. 

The late Mr. Fletcher leaves a wife, Mrs. Margaret Elizabeth Fletcher, and family of six, William, Rob, and Tom, Laura, Barbara, and Ellen.
George and Margaret (nee Miss Scaysbrook, of Green Point), married in 1910.
Mr. Tom Fletcher, of Marrickville, is a brother; Miss Fletcher, of Gosford Post Office, is a first cousin.  
 
 EARLY DAYS
 Born in Sydney, 1879, son of late Robert and Barbara Fletcher.
George came to Gosford as a boy and was for several years in the employ of Fagan Brothers on or near the present site of the Jusfrute factory.

Henry Kendall, the poet, often stayed at the Fagan home, while George was working there. 

With a commission from Mr. Andrew Murphy, of  Woy Woy, George went to Western Australia to collect forest tree seed.

 Later, George worked at Port Pirie, South Australia, in connection with the big smelting organisation.

 He was in Gosford when the South African War broke out, and promptly joined the N.S.W. contingent of the Imperial Bushmen. 

A good rider and excellent shot, George served with distinction beside other Gosford friends. 
In this connection a tribute has reached us from Inspector P. F. Lake, formerly of Gosford and now of Cootamundra, who fought beside George in Africa. 

In his younger days, George Fletcher was a successful district jockey, a fine sculler, and an ardent cricketer and footballer.

 Obtaining employment with the Shire Council as a member of a road gang, he quickly became ganger. His ability gained him the position of Building Inspector in April, 1915.

It is typical of his thoroughness that he passed the requisite examinations by hard study and was the holder of certificates of the Royal Sanitary Institute of London, N.S.W. Institute of Sanitary Engineers, and Inspector under the Meat Act, the Public Health Act, and the Pure Foods Act.

Apart from his official work, he was the biographer and historian of the district, writing for thirty years in the "Times," under the pen name "Perong," and at the time of his death was planning a series of articles on the pioneers still alive. and a book on the District.

 REMARKABLE MEMORY 
In addition to a remarkable memory which enabled him to recall facts and dates regarding individuals over half a century, Mr. Fletcher was also conversant with every historical record in Brisbane Water [Gosford District]. 

He was continually advocating the preservation of historic spots, and the embellishment and development of scenic beauties.

Through his friendships, his generous tributes in the "Times," and his kindly character, he was so widely respected and loved.

 The influence of Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher on their own family so marked that all the sons and daughters who attended Gosford public school were noted for their punctuality and unbroken attendance, creating a record for any family.

OUR GRATITUDE 
When the present owner and editor of the "Times" came to Gosford, Mr. Fletcher was one of the first to greet and help him.
The invaluable series of biographical and historical articles from "Perong's" pen, and the jolly "Knockalong Club," records, continued without break.
The greatest part of the Jubilee Issue of the "Times" came from Mr. Fletcher's pen.
Those who read "Perong's" tribute in our last issue to the late Mr. C. J. Duffy little thought that the kindly hand which wrote it would so soon drop the pen.
Nor did the Old Pioneers' Association imagine that their special invitation to "Perong" at the recent gathering would be the last they would send.

 Among the many appreciations now coming in is one which condenses a volume into eleven words. It is from Mr. James Canning: "He never did a bad turn to anyone in his life." 

 Amid pouring rain, the long funeral procession moved off on Saturday afternoon from Mr. R. H. Creighton's parlors to Point Clare cemetery. 

In the cortege were men and women from every part of the district, including the deputy president of Woy Woy Shire and others. The Mayor and several Aldermen, the former Shire President, the heads of the returned soldiers, representatives of Erina Shire Memorial Hospital, and the Health Inspectors' Association, many business men and a remarkable number of ladies were present at the graveside.

 Only one African veteran and staunch comrade was absent. Early on Saturday morning he had gone to gather his flowers, had fashioned them into a wreath, had given in his tribute, and then gone sadly home. "I cannot face it!" said old George Cronin.

Material Source: Trove...Gosford Times and Wyong District Advocate (NSW), Wednesday 30 December 1936, page 11