Captain Frank Douglas Fletcher

Obituary, Sydney Morning Herald, 21 August 1936

The death occurred yesterday at his home, Fletcher's Glen, Bondi, of Captain Frank Douglas Fletcher, wharf superintendent of the Adelaide Steamship Co., Ltd., at the age of

47 years, after a short illness. Captain Fletcher was one of the best-known masters on the Australian coast. He served his apprenticeship to the sea in sail. In 1912 he was chief officer of the AURORA on the Mawson relief expedition to the Antarctic. During the war he was third officer on Australia's first hospital ship, the GRANTALA, and later saw service on the WANDILLA. In 1925 he was sent to Denmark by the Adelaide Steamship Company to superintend the construction of freighters ordered for the Australian trade, and was absent for two years. He commanded the JUNEE in 1929, when that ship was sent to the Antarctic to search for the missing Danish training ship, KOBENHAVN. Subsequently he commanded several other vessels of the company's fleet, before being appointed wharf superintendent at Melbourne. About 18 months ago he was appointed wharf superintendent at Sydney. Captain Fletcher is survived by his wife, three young sons, and a daughter. The funeral will take place to the Rookwood Crematorium this afternoon.