Posted for Clive OWEN: I am trying to trace the funeral of John FLETCHER who was born in 1835 at Whaplode, parents Charles and Mary Ann Fletcher.  John married Emma Boardman at Whaplode on the 30th April 1866 and they had six children Eliza, Joseph, William, Samuel, Henry and Naomi.  I have a cutting from the Spalding Free Press of the 24th November 1908 detailing an interview with him in which he says he enlisted in the 17th Foot on the 4th December 1854 and was sent to the front in the Crimea on the 29th May 1855.  After many battles he was eventually discharged from the Army  on a pension of 9p per day from the 1st April 1895 from the Royal Hospital, Chelsea and on the 5th October 1906 it was increased to 1s per day.  The paper goes on to say that Mr. Fletcher was buried at Whaplode Cemetery with military honours. I have been unable to find an account of this funeral anywhere which I think is surprising considering his interesting life and receiving military honours at his funeral.  It is thought that he died in 1908 but I have not been able to find the exact date. Perhaps someone has knowledge of his date of death and perhaps an obituary.  Any information will be gratefully received. Clive Owen

There is a burial record for Whaplode Cemetery 19th November 1915 for a John FLETCHER age 83 which might fit the bill. I believe the library in Spalding has old newspaper records so it's worth contacting them for further information. Mick