Edward Wright
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
When Edward Wright was born in 1894, he already had 5 siblings. His parents were George and Eliza Wright living at 38 Carlton Road, Worksop. The father, George, was a building contractor and his elder sons were employed in the building trade as bricklayers, joiners, etc. In 1909, a younger brother, Cyril, was born, making all the children born in Worksop, the first one in 1881, but after 20 years of residency, they moved to Scrooby, Notts about 10 miles away. In 1911,it is revealed that Eliza had bore 14 children with only 7 surviving. Of the 4 now still at home, Edward had started working as a butchers assistant and a few years later, returned to Worksop to apply for the Coldstream Guards.
Edward was attested and passed medically fit at Worksop on the 31st Aug 1914 when aged 20, 11 months old. He was accepted for the Coldstream Guards who he joined at Cotterham on the 8th September. He was posted to the 2nd Battalion on the 22nd Jan 1915, when he went overseas with the Expeditionary Force. Presumably because of his unfit condition, on the 16th of January 1916, he was returned home being posted to 5th Battalion. He no doubt was hospitalised and medically examined as the Medical Board reported:- ‘Origin [of illness] was November 1915 at Vermilles – developed cough which has continued – quite well until that date – T B in sputum – has lost considerably in weight – exposure to infection and bad weather conditions whilst on active service – permanent – not likely to improve’. He was discharged permanently unfit for any kind of military service on the 22nd April 1916. As he had served, he was awarded the Silver badge, number 93316, issued 30th December 1916, as well as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred. He was buried at Worksop Retford Road Cemetery on the 4th March 1919. Pte Edward Wright Retford Times 7 March 1919 The funeral took place on Tuesday with full military honours of ex-Pte Edward Wright, 14 Watson Road, Worksop, son of Mr and Mrs George Wright, Scrooby. The deceased, who died last Thursday at the age of 24 years, enlisted on August 31st 1914 in the Cloldstream Guards and went from Windsor in January 1915 to France. After some time, he was sent to Leicester Base Hospital suffering from trench feet and gas poisoning and then removed to Wakefield and Mansfield Sanatorium where he was discharged in April 1916. Since that time he has lived with his parents at Scrooby, and three months ago left for Worksop, taking up an appointment at the Co-operative Stores. A fortnight ago he contracted influenza, and pneumonia supervened. His brother, Gunner George Wright, RFA, Gainsborough, was a reservist and took part in the retreat from Mons. He is now in Germany. Two brothers-in-law are also in France – vis, Drivers Shephard and W Foster, ASC. (original follows with a list of mourners and floral tributes). A party of soldiers from Clipston Camp acted as bearers, fired a volley over the grave and sounded the “Last Post.” Several members of the Worksop Discharged and Demobilised Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Association also attended. There was a large number of wreaths from the members of the family, committee and employees of the Co-op Society and DDS Association.
Research by Colin Dannatt
