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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

William Richard Wright

In memory of:

Lieutenant William Richard Wright

May 13, 1917

Military Service

Age:

19

Force:

Army

Unit:

Canadian Infantry (Western Ontario Regiment)

Division:

18th Bn.

Additional Information

Son of Henry P. Wright, M.D., and Marion Wright, of Ottawa.

Commemorated on Page 354 of the First World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information

Cemetery:

ECOIVRES MILITARY CEMETERY
Pas de Calais, France

Grave Reference:

V. J. 8.

Location:

Mont St Eloi is a village in the Department of the Pas-de-Calais, 8 kilometres north-west of Arras. The village stands on high ground overlooking the battlefields of Vimy and Souchez and the main Bethune-Arras road, and the ruined towers that rise from it were used as an observation post during the French attacks at Neuville-St Vaast and Givenchy in May 1915. Ecoivres is a hamlet lying at the foot of the hill, to the south-west and about 1.5 kilometres from Mont St Eloi on the Arras-St Pol line. The ECOIVRES MILITARY CEMETERY is on the D49 road.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

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  • Photo of William Richard Wright– Born in Ottawa, William Wright was one of Appleby's original students, having followed founding Headmaster John Guest from Upper Canada College. While at Appleby he played on the First Rugby (Football), Hockey and Cricket teams. Upon graduating from Appleby in 1916, he at once enlisted in the Fifth University Company, and on going overseas obtained a commission in the 35th Battalion. Having been transferred to the 18th Battalion only days earlier, he was killed by a high-explosive shell as he was looking for some men who were lost while on a working party in advance of the front-line trenches. His immediate superior, Capt. I. O. H. Rayward, said in a letter to Wright's mother, " your son died cleanly and bravely, doing that which he set his hand to in a manner which became his rank and station." From the Appleby College Archives

    Details

    Photo of William Richard Wright
    Photo of William Richard Wright – Born in Ottawa, William Wright was one of Appleby's original students, having followed founding Headmaster John Guest from Upper Canada College. While at Appleby he played on the First Rugby (Football), Hockey and Cricket teams. Upon graduating from Appleby in 1916, he at once enlisted in the Fifth University Company, and on going overseas obtained a commission in the 35th Battalion. Having been transferred to the 18th Battalion only days earlier, he was killed by a high-explosive shell as he was looking for some men who were lost while on a working party in advance of the front-line trenches. His immediate superior, Capt. I. O. H. Rayward, said in a letter to Wright's mother, " your son died cleanly and bravely, doing that which he set his hand to in a manner which became his rank and station." From the Appleby College Archives
  • War Diary– War Diary Entry Relating to This Soldier's Death Night of May 12/13, 1917 During the night Brigade called for two parties to carry wire to the front line. Lieut’s G.E. Lucas and W.R. Wright being detailed to take charge of these parties. Lieut. G.E. Lucas completed his task with the loss of 4 O.R’s “Wounded”. Lieut. W.R. Wright and party on returning was heavily shelled in MT. FORET ROAD, scattering the party, Lieut. W.R. Wright and Sgt. T. Clark being “Killed” and 6 O.R’s “Wounded”. Contributed by E.Edwards www.18thbattalioncef.wordpress.com

    Details

    War Diary
    War Diary – War Diary Entry Relating to This Soldier's Death Night of May 12/13, 1917 During the night Brigade called for two parties to carry wire to the front line. Lieut’s G.E. Lucas and W.R. Wright being detailed to take charge of these parties. Lieut. G.E. Lucas completed his task with the loss of 4 O.R’s “Wounded”. Lieut. W.R. Wright and party on returning was heavily shelled in MT. FORET ROAD, scattering the party, Lieut. W.R. Wright and Sgt. T. Clark being “Killed” and 6 O.R’s “Wounded”. Contributed by E.Edwards www.18thbattalioncef.wordpress.com
  • Medal– Found in family collection, bronze (dead man's penny) given to family of deceased by British govt.

    Details

    Medal
    Medal – Found in family collection, bronze (dead man's penny) given to family of deceased by British govt.
  • Honour Roll– William Wright is commemorated on the school honour roll. The memorial is at the front of the Memorial School Building.

    Details

    Honour Roll
    Honour Roll – William Wright is commemorated on the school honour roll. The memorial is at the front of the Memorial School Building.
  • Grave Marker– Courtesy Wilf Schofield, England

    Details

    Grave Marker
    Grave Marker – Courtesy Wilf Schofield, England

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