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English

At an Ordinary meeting of the Exploration Committee of the Royal Society of Victoria held on Monday, 9 July 1860, Burke submitted a list of persons to join the party, which included Fletcher.

He was appointed to the VEE in July 1860 on a salary of £120 pa.

On the 18 August 1860, Brahe signed the Memorandum of Agreement at the Royal Society of Victoria.

He was discharged on the 19th August 1860, the day before the expedition left Melbourne.

On Sunday the 19th August 1860 at Royal Park there was a conflict between Landells and Creber, after Landells accused Creber of drunkenness. Creber was suspended that evening. Burke dismissed Fletcher (who had supported Creber) for incompetence.

A letter from Fletcher was published in the Age on the 31st August 1860. He claimed he was a gentleman by birth and was afraid 'that Mr Burke is too hasty and as such is likely to prove tyrannical.' Fletcher said he had been employed as a personal attendant to Burke and then as storekeeper, then camel groom. Burke was displeased with Fletcher when he found the men only had bread for tea on the night of Suday 19 August 1860.

Where Fletcher went on the expedition

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www.burkeandwills.net.au Burke & Wills Web The digital research archive of expedition records
© 2020, Dave Phoenix