WRIGHT, Ernest


No.907914, Private, Ernest WRIGHT
Aged 25


5th ( Western Cavalry) Battalion, Canadian Infantry
Killed in Action on Wednesday, 15th August 1917


Ernest Wright was born in Stapleford, Cambs on 20th December 1891(Chesterton Q1-1892 3B:459) son of James and Sarah WRIGHT(née FULLER).

1901 census...Aged 9, he was at Lamberhurst, Horseheath with his father James WRIGHT [40] horseman on farm, born Foxton; his mother Sarah [37] born Sawston; brothers William [14] farm servant, George [12], and Alfred J [10] all 3 born in Stapleford; sister Dora A [2] born Horseheath.

1911 census...Aged 19, a farm labourer, he was at Surridge's Farm, Withersfield with his parents, brothers John [29] a groom born Stapleford, George (horsekeeper), Alfred( farm labourer) and sister Dora Annie. Three of the nine siblings had died.




Canadian Archives:-RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 10596 - 52 :- He attested on 22nd April 1916 at Cupar, Saskatchewan, giving his date of birth as Dec. 20th 1892 (1 year out).A farmer, born Cambridge to James James of Withersfield, Suffolk, England he was single, 5 feet 6.5 inches (168.9 cm)tall, chest 33" to 35" (83.8 to 88.9 cm), blue eyes,brown hair, Church of England. There is no circumstances of death card as all from Sip to Z have been lost.

He was placed in the 195 battalion and sailed on the SS "Empress of Britain" from Halifax on 1st November 1916, arriving Liverpool on 11th November and posted to 32nd Battalion at East Sandling, then to Dibgate on 4th January 1917 to 15th Reserves Battalion. Via Bramshott he then went to France on 22nd April and joined the 5th Battalion in the field on 28th April. His Army will left all to his mother.

The battalion war diary says the wind SW, weather Fine, ground Dry, trenches muddy in places. Visibility poor in morning good later on. Bn attacked German trenches. 2 officers killed, 4 wounded Other ranks estimated 220 casualties.
On the 15th. August "B" Company sent two bombing parties to the 8th. C.I.Bn. who were to attack the Green Line at 4.00 p.m. Zero hour was postponed till 6.00 p.m. and then, owing to the 8th. Battalion deeming themselves too weak in numbers to attack, it was again postponed. On the evening of August 15th. "A" and "B" companies relieved the 8th. Battalion in the Front Line, and "C" and "D" companies moved up the Blue Line. German Snipers were very busy from the brickworks and houses in Cite St. August and Fosse 14 bis, and a number of casualties were caused by them.


Starting line on 13th August




Ernest Wright is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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