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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: ARBELLA on Friday 14 November 25 21:47 GMT (UK)
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Thank you for invaluable past help! I wonder if you can help me find the location of the death in action on 28 April 1915 of Arthur William Wright. (My Great-Uncle - unmarried - no known direct descendants.)
His details: Arthur William Wright, born 1891 in Chicheley, Bucks, parents Leonard Wright, farmworker & Emma Wright. Enlisted, according to local press, 7 Sept 1914 in Northampton. Death date confirmed by Army pension records, given by family in local press, ‘killed in action somewhere in France April 28, 1915, aged 23’.
Details from Army death record via Ancestry: Arthur William Wright East Surrey Regt 2nd Battalion Service No 7309 'Killed in action.' Place: France and Flanders'. Leonard Wright his father later received Arthur’s gratuity (record via Ancestry).
I attach part of an article, Bucks Standard, 22 May 1915. This claims that the family were not notified of Arthur's death by the War Office. A fellow soldier sent Arthur's watch to his sister. Mrs Easson, the wife of the family's vicar, visited the War Office in London. They gave confirmation of Arthur's death, but no further details. (I'd be interested to know if such confusion happened frequently in WW!?)
Are any official records available which would give more details of Arthur Wright's death, please? Is there a history of the East Surrey regiment, or a detailed WW1 history which would reveal where the 2nd Battalion were on 28 April 1915, and what they were doing (e.g. fighting in a named battle)?
N.B.Confusingly, Arthur had a cousin, Arthur REGINALD Wright, of Little End, Chicheley, who (according to local press, joined the army on 3 Dec 1915. 'Reg' Wright survived the war, living till the 1960s.
I look forward to any further details of Arthur William Wright's death which expert knowledge may reveal! Thank you very much for your time.
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Try this war diary
https://www.queensroyalsurreys.org.uk/war_diaries/local/2Bn_East_Surrey/2Bn_East_Surrey_1915/2Bn_East_Surrey_1915_04.shtml
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This gives detail of the 2nd battalion East surrey regiment in April 1915
https://www.queensroyalsurreys.org.uk/war_diaries/local/2Bn_East_Surrey/2Bn_East_Surrey_1915/2Bn_East_Surrey_1915_04.shtml
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This https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/912102/arthur-william-wright/ (https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/912102/arthur-william-wright/) suggests he was commemorated in Ypres, Belgium (not France).
Private
ARTHUR WILLIAM WRIGHT
Service Number: 7309
Regiment & Unit/Ship
East Surrey Regiment
2nd Bn.
Date of Death
Died 28 April 1915
Age 23 years old
Buried or commemorated at
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 34.
Belgium
Commonwealth War Graves Commission - Headstone Placeholder
Country of Service
United Kingdom
Additional Info
Son of Leonard and Emma Wright, of The Lane, Chicheley, Newport Pagnell, Bucks.
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
West-Vlaanderen / West Flanders
Belgium
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The newspaper article describes the battalion's heroics efforts during the second battle of Ypres, many were gassed.
https://www.barnesfamilyhistory.org.uk/firstworldwar/gallant_east_surrey.htm
The Menin Gate commemorates those soldiers who have no known grave - about 54,000. Conditions were dreadful and it would have been unsafe to collect some of the fallen from the battlefield without further endangering lives.
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This gives detail of the 2nd battalion East surrey regiment in April 1915
https://www.queensroyalsurreys.org.uk/war_diaries/local/2Bn_East_Surrey/2Bn_East_Surrey_1915/2Bn_East_Surrey_1915_04.shtml
On 25/26th at Konnebeke Capt F.O.H. Jollie reported killed. His newspaper death notice, 5 May 1915, states he died on the 27th April. His WikiTree has North East France as place of death.
On 25/26th at Konnebeke 82 "other ranks" killed. The Surrey Mirror, 28 May 1915, listed over 100 "other ranks," 2nd Battalion East Surrrey regiment "killed" - no date/place. Last name on the list
7309 Pte A W Wright
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Thank you! This is invaluable. I am very grateful for your time.
Try this war diary
https://www.queensroyalsurreys.org.uk/war_diaries/local/2Bn_East_Surrey/2Bn_East_Surrey_1915/2Bn_East_Surrey_1915_04.shtml
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Thank you very much. This gives a very good impression of the chaotic events at the time of Arthur's death, including the arrival of gas. Your help is much appreciated.
This gives detail of the 2nd battalion East surrey regiment in April 1915
https://www.queensroyalsurreys.org.uk/war_diaries/local/2Bn_East_Surrey/2Bn_East_Surrey_1915/2Bn_East_Surrey_1915_04.shtml
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Thank you! Arthur's surviving relations - mainly great-nieces, like me - had begun to research, but had no knowledge of where he was commemorated. I have now found an image of Panel 34 with his name. Thank you on behalf of us all!
This https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/912102/arthur-william-wright/ (https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/912102/arthur-william-wright/) suggests he was commemorated in Ypres, Belgium (not France).
Private
ARTHUR WILLIAM WRIGHT
Service Number: 7309
Regiment & Unit/Ship
East Surrey Regiment
2nd Bn.
Date of Death
Died 28 April 1915
Age 23 years old
Buried or commemorated at
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 34.
Belgium
Commonwealth War Graves Commission - Headstone Placeholder
Country of Service
United Kingdom
Additional Info
Son of Leonard and Emma Wright, of The Lane, Chicheley, Newport Pagnell, Bucks.
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
West-Vlaanderen / West Flanders
Belgium
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Thank you very much for drawing my attention to this. It gives a very clear picture of the battalion's role in the battle - and to the dreadful conditions in which they were defending. I will send it to Arthur's other surviving relatives. I'm very grateful for your time.
The newspaper article describes the battalion's heroics efforts during the second battle of Ypres, many were gassed.
https://www.barnesfamilyhistory.org.uk/firstworldwar/gallant_east_surrey.htm
The Menin Gate commemorates those soldiers who have no known grave - about 54,000. Conditions were dreadful and it would have been unsafe to collect some of the fallen from the battlefield without further endangering lives.
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Thank you very much! I am very glad to have this information, which puts Arthur's death in the context of his regiment's losses. His remaining relatives now know that he died in Belgium, not France. I very much appreciate your help!
This gives detail of the 2nd battalion East surrey regiment in April 1915
https://www.queensroyalsurreys.org.uk/war_diaries/local/2Bn_East_Surrey/2Bn_East_Surrey_1915/2Bn_East_Surrey_1915_04.shtml
On 25/26th at Konnebeke Capt F.O.H. Jollie reported killed. His newspaper death notice, 5 May 1915, states he died on the 27th April. His WikiTree has North East France as place of death.
On 25/26th at Konnebeke 82 "other ranks" killed. The Surrey Mirror, 28 May 1915, listed over 100 "other ranks," 2nd Battalion East Surrrey regiment "killed" - no date/place. Last name on the list
7309 Pte A W Wright