[1][2] After briefly working for the Midland Railway Company, he became a sailor for eight years with the Dundee Shipping Line, and arrived in New Zealand in 1883.

[3] Fletcher was elected as a member of the Wellington Harbour Board in 1906, and held his seat until his death in 1918.

The 1911 general election required a second ballot if no candidate could achieve an absolute majority in the first round.

[6] By the next general election in 1914, the incumbent Fisher as a government minister contested Wellington Central against Fletcher again, and he was decisively beaten by 2677 votes to 4910.

[1][8][9][10] The by-election caused by his death was won by future Prime Minister Peter Fraser of the Labour Party.