Urmston  - Surnames starting with the letter W. 

Clarence Harris Wright

Rank:Lieutenant
Ship/Rgn/Sqn No:15th Bn
Name of Rgt or Ship:Lancashire Fusiliers
Died:01/07/1916Age:22
How Died:Killed in Action
Country of burial:France
Cemetery or Memorial:Thiepval Memorial, Somme
Town Memorial:Not Listed
Extra Information:
Born 14th February 1894, the birth being registered during the March
quarter 1894 in the Barton upon Irwell R.D. - ref: 8c/736, the only son of
William Harris & Elizabeth Wright (nee Yates).  Born at Old Trafford.

1901 Census - Hilton House, Poulton with Fearnhead, Warrington, Lancashire.
  Son - aged: 7 - born: Stretford.   Head of household - William H. Wright
- Married - aged: 33 - occ: Branch Bank Manager - born: Lancashire.   Also
Elizabeth Wright - Wife - aged: 37 - born: Orford, Lancashire.   Plus
Elizabeth's mother - Ann Yates a cousin and 1 domestic servant.

His father was employed as the Manager of the Union Bank of Manchester at
Market Gate, Warrington.  He died in 1902, the death being registered at
Warrington R.D.   His widow and son then moved to Stretford.

1911 Census - "Holly Bank", 39 Stretford Road, Urmston.   Son - aged: 17 -
Scholar - born: Manchester.   Head of household - Elizabeth Wright - Widow
- aged: 47 - born: Warrington, Lancashire.  Plus 1 domestic servant.

WO339/21911 - He applied for a Commission on the 24th September 1914.   He
was aged: 20 and was 5 feet 6 1/4 inches in height.   He weighed 122 1/2 lb
and his chest measurements were 29 1/2 to 33 inches. His occupation -
Merchant's Assistant.  Served in the Manchester Grammar School's Officer's
Training Corps from which he resigned on leaving school in September 1912. 
Commissioned on the 1st February 1915.

A report of Sgt Nelson No. 10272, 15th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers,
writing from Wards 30/32 in the Newcastle War Hospital, whose home address
was 17 Nashville Street, Salford, stated that he had seen Lieutenant Wright
killed instantly just after the advance had started.
Another informant - Peter Harrison, No. 15084 writing from No. 3 Canadian
General Hospital, Boulogne on the 21st November 1916 wrote,  "Our Battalion
attacked at Thiepval on the 1st July and failed.  On the 12th November we
found a very large number of bodies. and buried them.   The bodies had been
lying for more than four months and were quite unrecognisable, except by
their pay books, officer's belts and the like.   We were unable to finish
burying them all as we were ordered up to attacks on Beaumont Hamel.   The
boys made crosses out of timber and put them up with names on those that we
could identify.  I am quite sure that Lt. Wright was identified and buried.
  He was buried on the right of Hammerad Sap leading up to the Sunken Road
near Thiepval.   I saw a cross with his name upon it."
Another informant - Alfred Walsh, No. 20557, Lancashire Fusiliers, whose
home address was - 36 Witley Street, Rochdale Road, Manchester, stated that
at about 07.30 hrs on the 1st July, Lt Wright was in front of him during
the attack and he saw him shot through the head with a bullet and killed
instantly.
Yet another informant - J. Roberts No. 10966 writing from No.11 General
Hospital, Etaples, wrote that he was with Lt. Wright in the Hammerhead Sap
near Thiepval when he saw Lt. Wright going over the top and was riddled
with machine gun fire.    He said that he was about 50 yards from him and
distinctly saw him killed, but did not  know if the body was recovered.

Death reoported in the 24/11/1916 edition of the Altrincham Guardian.

Probate on his Will dated the 25th October 1910, was granted to his mother
on the 29th January 1917 at the Manchester Probate Office.   His Estate was
valued at £299. 16s. 6d.

Also commemorated on the Rossall School War Memorial.

      
Memorials found on:
Manchester Grammar School
St. Clement's (Urmston)
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