William Joseph Wright
Attended Mundella School, Meadows, Nottingham. Member Nottingham Union Rowing Club. Member of University College Nottingham OTC. He worked for Boots Chemists' Wholesale Cashier's Department.
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William Joseph was the son of Edwin Wright and his wife Mary Jane (née Berry).
Both his parents were born in Nottingham and were married in 1889. They had three children, William Joseph birth reg. 1890 JFM, Albert Edwin b. 1897 bap. Sneinton St Stephen November 1897 and Mary Helen b. 1904.
In 1891 Edwin, a lace draughtsman, his wife and their son William were living at 1 Lower Eldon Street, Nottingham. Their second son Albert was born in 1897 when they were living at 58 Sneinton Hollows, but by 1901 they had moved to 35 Manor Street, Sneinton. Edwin was now employed as a book keeper (confectioners). Also in the household was Mary Jane's father, Joseph Berry, a bootmaker.
Edwin, now a school caretaker (Nottingham City Council) was living at the School House, 137 Sneinton Boulevard, Nottingham, in 1911, with his wife and their three children,William an advertising clerk and Albert and Mary who were at school.
Edwin died at 137 Sneinton Boulevard on 1 June 1920 age 52. His widow and daughter have not yet been traced after this date, but his son, Albert Edwin, had married Clara Abell in 1918 and in 1939 they were living at 30 Dale Grove, Sneinton. Albert was employed by the City Treasurer's office as a wages clerk; he died at the Council's offices at Exchange Buildings on 29 December 1945.
William Joseph married Eveline (also Evelyn) Uttley, who worked in the Boots' Shares Department as a shorthand typist, on 16 October 1915 at Castle Gate Congregational Church, Nottingham. Eveline was widowed in May the following year, seven months after her marriage.
Eveline was born in 1890, the third child of George and Mary Uttley (née Seller/Sellars). George and Mary were both born in Yorkshire and were married at Rotherham Minster (All Saints) on 12 February 1884. They had three children, Ernest George b. abt 1885 Rotherham, and Edna Mary b. 1887 and Eveline b. 1890 who were born in Nottingham and both baptised at Lenton St Anthony, Edna in March 1887 and Eveline on 6 July 1890.
The family was living at 10 Charlton Street, Lenton, in 1892: George, a foreman baker, Mary and their three children. The family had moved to 334 Lenton Boulevard by 1901, George was now working as a pastry cook and confectioner, his son was a clerk (lace machine warehouse) and his daughters were school age.
Eveline's father died in 1907 and in 1911 her widowed mother was living at 23 Church Lane/Street, Lenton, with her children Ernest, a costing clerk, Edna who was a confidential clerk and Eveline a shorthand typist. Also in the household was a boarder, Herbert Smith, a Primitive Methodist minister.
Mary and her children were still living at 23 Church Street in 1921. Ernest was a costing clerk, Edna a corresponding clerk while Mary and her widowed daughter Eveline were both recorded as carrying out 'home duties'.
Eveline's brother Ernest died on 1 September 1923, her mother Mary on 1 January 1934 aged 52 and her sister Edna on 21 March 1939. Neither of her siblings had married and had probably lived continuously in the family home until their deaths.
Eveline was living at 23 Church Street when the 1939 Register of England and Wales was complied and continued to do so until her death on 18 December 1974 at the age of 84 (Probate record).
He was gazetted in 1915 in the 9th Service Battalion, Leicester Regiment having attended Nottingham University College OTC.
He was killed on 17 March 1916 and is buried in Bienvillers Military Cemetery (grave ref I.A.95). His grave may have been brought in from the Ancre battlefields when the cemetery was completed in 1922-24.
CWGC History of Bienvillers Military Cemetery (extract): The village of Bienvillers is 18kms from the town of Arras. The Cemetery 'was begun in September 1915 by the 37th Division, carried on by other Divisions in the line until March 1917, reopened from March to September 1918, when the village was again near the front line, and completed in 1922-24 when a number of graves, mainly of 1916, were brought in from the battlefields of the Ancre. Its twenty-one plots show a remarkable alternation of original burials in regimental or divisional groups, and groups of concentrated graves.' (www.cwgc.org)
Personal inscription on CWGC headstone: 'Until we know even as we are known'
William's younger brother, Albert Edwin (b. 1897), may have also served in the Great War as there is a Medal Rolls/Awards record for an Albert Edwin Wright, 30709 Private, Notts & Derby Regiment.
Inscription on Uttley family gravestone, Nottingham General Cemetery: [George and Mary Uttley] 'Also the beloved son-in-law Lieut William J Wright, 9th Leicestershire Regt. who fell in action in France May 17th 1916, aged 26 years. Buried at Bienvillers. Until the day break.'
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Marriages’, 18 October 1915: ‘Wright-Uttley On October 16th at Castle-gate Congregational Church, by the Rev. AR Henderson, MA, William Joseph, Lieutenant, the Leicestershire Regiment, elder son of Mr and Mrs Edwin Wright, to Eveline, younger daughter of the late George and Mrs Mary Uttley, both of this city.’
(www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Mundella Magazine, Christmas 1918, ROH: 'Wright, William 2nd Lieut, Leics.'
Name included in the Castle Gate Congregational Church ROH printed in January 1917: 2nd-Lieut WJ Wright, 9th Leicester Reg (Nottinghamshire Archives ref DD2325/10)
Boots 'Comrades in Khaki', April 1915: 'Heartiest congratulations to 'Billy' Wright, of the Wholesale Cashier's Department. He received special permission to attend half-time at the Nottingham University College Officers' Training Corps about six weeks ago, and is now, as a result, the proud possessor of a commission in His Majesty's Army. He is already gazetted as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 9th Service Battalion of the Leicester Regiment but has been called upon to put in a further course of training at Edinburgh before joining the Regiment.' (Nottinghamshire Archives, RB.38)
Boots ‘Comrades in Khaki’, November 1915, ‘By the Way’: ’The wedding bells have rung out during the month for Miss E Uttley of the Shares Department, whose marriage to Second Lieut. Wright was solemnised at Castle Gate Congregational Church, Nottingham, on October 16th. Mr Wright was engaged in the Wholesale Cashier’s Dept, at Boots up to the time of his enlistment.’ (Nottinghamshire Archives, RB.38)
Nottingham Evening Post, 22 May 1916: ‘Killed in action. Lieutenant WJ Wright. News has been received in Nottingham that Second-Lieutenant Wm. Joseph Wright, of the Leicestershire Regiment, has been killed in action. He was the son of Mr Edwin Wright, of 137 Sneinton-boulevard, and was 25 years of age. He was educated at Mundella Secondary School and the University College, and was a member of the College Officers’ Training Corps. He was gazetted to the Leicestershire Regiment in February, 1915, and had been at the front for some time. He was well known in Nottingham athletic circles, being a playing member, and also secretary for some seasons, of the Boots Athletic Hockey Club, and a player with the South Nottingham hockey Club, whilst he was also actively associated with the Union Rowing Club. He was a runner of some distinction, and carried off numerous prizes at local meetings at distances varying from 200 yards to a quarter of a mile, while he represented the county at hockey. At the last Union Rowing Club Regatta he stroked the winning crew in the tub fours. He was also the holder of silver and gold medals for quarter and half mile swimming.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 22 May 1916: ‘Wright. Killed in action, May 18th, WJ Wright, Lieutenant, Leicestershire Regiment. Faithful to his God and his country. From his sorrowing wife.’ Notice also published on 23 May 1916 (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 22 May 1916: ‘Wright. Killed in action, May 18th, WJ (Billie) Wright. Lieutenant, Leicestershire regiment, dearly loved eldest son of Edwin and Mary Wright, 137, Sneinton-boulevard. He made the great sacrifice. From mother, dad, Bert, Nellie.’ Notice also published on 23 May 1916. (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Daily Express, 29 May 1916:- A memorial service was held at the Castle Gate Congregational Church on 28th May 1916 in remembrance of Second Lieutenant William James Wright, 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. [1]“LATE LIEUT. W. J. WRIGHT. 'Memorial Service to Gallant Nottm. Officer. 'Evidence of the esteem in which Second-Lieutenant William J. Wright was held by the officers, workers, and congregation of the Castle-gate Congregational Church was forthcoming last evening [28th May 1916] in the large number of people who attended a memorial service held at that place of worship.Lieutenant Wright was the elder of the two soldier sons of Mr. Edwin Wright, of Sneinton-boulevard. Practically from boyhood he had been associated with the Sunday School and for some years he was a teacher. Lieutenant Wright's interest went beyond the ordinary bounds of Sunday school work. A lover of sport, and a fine athlete himself, he interested himself in the pastimes pursued by the members of his class, and endeared himself to all. The Rev. A. R. Henderson, who preached from the words, 'Greater love hath no man than this that he lay down his life for his friends', paid a warm tribute to Lieutenant Wright's fine qualities. In his remarks, the minister explained how the brave officer fell. Volunteering with his platoon to carry out certain work in front of the trenches he became a victim to a bullet amongst the men who he had so gallantly led. Mr. Henderson spoke of Lieutenant Wright's work in the Sunday school, his many activities, his success in business, his true sportsmanship and his great courage. The special music chosen for the occasion included the anthem, 'O Saviour Friend', from Handel's Largo.' Above report courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 2 June 1920. 'Wright. On June 1st, at 137 Sneinton Boulevard, Edwin, beloved husband of Mary and loving father of Bert [Albert Edwin], Nellie [Mary Helen], Eveline [widow of Wm Joseph Wright], Clarrie [Clara, wife of Albert Edwin]. Peace after pain.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 2 June 1924: ‘Wright. In loving memory of Edwin Wright, died June 1st 1920; also his son, Lieut. WJ Wright, killed in action, May 17th, 1916. Family.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 19 December 1974: ‘Wright. Eveline passed away in hospital 18th December 1974, aged 84 years. Former leader of Castle Gate Sunday School, primary Department. God Bless. Rest in Peace. Leonard. Service at Castle Gate United Reform Church, Monday 23rd Dec. at 9am followed by cremation Wilford Hill 9.45am. Enquiries to Clowers.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
William Joseph Wright
Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone marking his grave at Bienvillers Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Courtesy of Murray Biddle
William Joseph Wright
Uttley family gravestone, Nottingham General Cemetery. Photograph Rachel Farrand (December 2017)