John William Wright

Private John William Wright enlisted at Mansfield on 7th September 1914 giving a false age of 19 yrs and 4 months ( he was born in 1897 ) he was a collier working at Bolsover colliery he served with 12th Platoon 'C' Company 1/8th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) and landed in France on 2nd February 1915. he was killed by rifle fire six weeks later on 20 April 1915 while on sentry duty in the trenches. He was buried the night of 21 April in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium (grave ref. E.62).

Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser, 29 April 1915: Photograph with letter from his commanding officer Capt M C Martyn. "It is with deepest regret that I have to announce to you the death of your son, John Wright. He was killed by a rifle bullet on April 20th. It may be some consolation to you to know that he died doing his duty in action. At 4:30 am on April 20th, we were subjected to considerable bombardment from grenades, and your son was at the time doing his duty as sentry and at the same time observing where our own grenades were falling in the enemy's trenches without hesitation he pluckily observed all our grenades, but unfortunately was observed by the enemy and shot. I was close by his side at the time and an assure you that his death was instantaneous, he could have suffered no pain whatever.' Mansfield Reporter and Sutton Times, 30th April 1915:- PRIVATE J. WRIGHT, MANSFIELD KILLED. “We regret to announce the death of Private John Wright, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Wright, of 47, Montague-street, Mansfield. Private Wright, who belonged to the 12th platoon, “C” Company, of the 1/8th Sherwood Foresters, was shot by an enemy's bullet whilst bravely doing his duty. Below we give the letter conveying the sad intelligence of their son's death, the writer being Captain M. C. Martyn, [2] the son of Dr. Martyn, of Mansfield. Private Wright, who, we believe had not yet reached his 20th year, enlisted in November last, and proceeded to the front on active service some weeks ago. Prior to joining the King's defensive forces Private Wright followed the occupation of a miner, and was employed at the Crown Farm Colliery. His parents have the sympathy of all Mansfield people, who are proud and grateful for the memory of such heroic sons. “France, April 22nd, 1915 “Dear Sir, – It is with deepest regret that I have to announce to you the death of your son, John Wright, Private, No. 2343. He was killed by a rifle bullet on April 20th. “It may be some consolation to you to know that he died doing his duty in action. At 4.30 a.m., on April 20th, we were subjected to considerable bombardment from grenades, and your son was at the same time observing where our own grenades were falling in the enemy's trench; without hesitation he pluckily observed all our grenades, but unfortunately was observed by the enemy and shot. “I was close by his side at the time and can assure you that his death was instantaneous, he could not have suffered any pain whatever. “I attended his funeral, which took place in a village some little distance from the firing line, last night. A cross with full inscription has been erected, and his grave will be properly cared for. “Your son's death will be felt by many of the company, and personally I feel that I have lost an excellent man, as he was always the first to come forward for any work, which he always did cheerfully and in a smart way. “Please accept my deepest sympathy, – “Yours truly. “M. C. MARTYN, Captain. “O. C. “C” Coy.” Note: Captain Martyn survived the war. Nottingham Daily Express, 4th May 1915:- MANSFIELD SOLDIER KILLED IN FRANCE. “Private John Wright, of “C” Company, Sherwood Foresters, who was killed in France during the fighting on April 20th. The dead soldier was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Wright, of 47, Montague-street, Mansfield. In a letter received by the parents from Captain M. C. Martyn, commanding the company, it is stated that Private Wright was buried in a little village just behind in a little village just behind the firing line, a cross being erected over the grave. Captain Martyn adds that he personally attended the funeral.” Above articles are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War, Hucknall 1914-1918