Fletcher, Edward Ernest, Surgeon Rear-Admiral, 1886-1968

Papers of Surgeon Rear-Admiral Edward Ernest Fletcher which provide insights into his career as a naval dentist from the First World War until his retirement in 1946. The papers cover his honours and appointments as well as notes on the history and development of the Royal Naval Dental Service.

Administrative / biographical background
Surgeon Rear-Admiral Edward Ernest Fletcher gained distinction as head of the dental branch of the Navy following its establishment in 1920. After school he followed his father Walter Ernest Fletcher into the dental profession, qualifying as a dental surgeon in 1907. He then held appointments at the Royal Dental Hospital and civilian practices in London. He was awarded the OBE in 1919 following a period of employment as a civilian dental surgeon at the Royal Naval Barracks at Devonport, then a temporary dental surgeon in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve at the shore establishment HMS Vivid. Fletcher then transferred onto the permanent list of commissioned officers in the Royal Navy, with the rank of surgeon lieutenant (D). He was appointed to HMS President and the Medical Department of the Navy at the Admiralty in London, where he took charge of the organisation of the newly created Royal Naval Dental Branch. In the period 1920-1937 his rank advanced to surgeon captain (D) and he was awarded the CBE. During the Second World War he was Deputy Director-General of the Royal Naval Dental Service with the rank of Surgeon Rear-Admiral (D). In 1945 he was appointed an Honorary Dental Surgeon to the King. He was also rewarded with a MDS degree conferred by Durham University and Honorary Membership of the British Dental Association. Fletcher retired from the Navy in 1946. Soon afterwards he was made an Officer of the Order of the Legion d'Honneur for services to the Free French Naval Forces during the Second World War. He was also elected a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons.