Yvonne Fletcher

A SISTER IN BLUE REMEMBERED by Helen Jones

On Wednesday April 17^th 2024 I was privileged to take part in a service of Remembrance in St James Sq London SW1 to commemorate the killing of WPC 341C Yvonne Fletcher. WPC Fletcher was just 25 years old and policing a demonstration outside the Libyan Embassy, when she was shot from inside the building. As she lay on the ground her friend and colleague John Murray promised her, he would find out who had perpetrated this dreadful act and bring them to justice.

For the last 40 years he has tried to do so. This struggle for justice is detailed in the book co-written with Matt Johnson called “ No Ordinary Day “. It details the espionage, corruption and struggle which has led up to John beginning a private prosecution against Saleh Mabrouk.

The speakers included John Murray, Lord Willoughby De Broke, Mike Penning MP, ex Met Police officers Alan Dorans MP and Lord Byron Davies of Gower, and the Mayoress of Westminster. The last post was played by a bugler from the London Ambulance Service and 6 white doves of peace were released by the guard of honour. Officers also attended from Avon and Somerset and West Midlands Police and wreaths were laid at the Yvonne’s memorial by Geraldine Winner and many branches of the Police and Emergency services.

It was an incredibly moving occasion, and as we all say “ There but for the grace of God go I “ I urge you read “ No Ordinary Day “. I took some photographs , not brilliant but they give a flavour of the event.

YVONNE’S TREE

April in St James’s Square,

And cherry blossom laden boughs

Reach out into the London air

Above the ground where blood was shed,

Where she fell and where she bled.

Her cherry tree was planted here

So we, her friends, can year on year

Gather at her last patrol,

The place she joined the honour roll,

And with living blossom overhead,

Pay silent tribute to our dead.