Private Arthur Bryan Wright

Thank you to the Friends of St. Margaret for allowing us to reproduce their research. Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for additional research.

Arthur Bryan Wright was born on the 22^nd of June 1892 in Wanstead, Essex to linen draper Edwin Charles and Elizabeth Charlotte (nee Grover). He was baptised on 29^th June 1892 in Wanstead. At the time of his baptism the family lived in Wanstead High Street.

At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at the Draper’s Shop, 41 High Street, Wanstead. Edwin Charles was working as a draper and Elizabeth was at home looking after their children. Rose Mason, a servant also lived at the house.

At the time of the 1911 Census, Arthur was a pupil of farmer Andrew Smith at Hardres Court Farm, Canterbury, Kent. The farm had eight rooms.

Arthur enlisted in Guildford into the 2nd/4th Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment. He was a Private with regimental numbers T/4248 and T/206709. At the time of his enlistment he resided in Ockley.

Arthur Wright died on 10^th May 1917 in Egypt. He is buried at the Deir El Belah War Cemetery in Israel. His grave reference number is: A.178. The headstone bears the inscription: ‘A Soldier’s Death Is Life Eternal So Loved Honoured and Mourned.’ He was also commemorated on the St Margaret’s WW1 panel in Ockley. His brother Frank was killed on 18th February 1917 in France and is also commemorated on the Ockley Memorial.

He received the British War and Victory medals.

Arthur’s mother Elizabeth received £8, 3s and 3d on the 5^th of November 1917 and a further £8 on the 23^rd of October 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.

She lived at Hillside, Ockley.

Wright Family History

Arthur’s father Edwin was born in the 4^th quarter of 1844 in Forest Gate, Essex to linen draper John, born about 1816 in Hundon, Suffolk and Elizabeth, born about 1813 in Barking, Suffolk.  Edwin married Emily Jane Davison on 11^th April 1867 in Chigwell, Essex.

They had four children: Minnie F. born about 1870; Lionel Percy Edwin born about 1873; Edith A. born about 1875, and Mabel E. Wright born about 1877, all in Wanstead.

At the time of the 1881 Census, widowed draper Edwin lived at Wanstead High Street (Draper’s shop. The household further comprised of his children and his future second wife, housekeeper, Elizabeth Charlotte Grover and servant Elizabeth Taylor.

Edwin married Elizabeth on 29^th May 1882 at St Augustine, Highbury, Islington.

Elizabeth was born on 22^nd August 1857 in Bermondsey, Surrey to solicitor’s clerk Charles, born about 1830 in Clerkenwell and Elizabeth, born about 1831 in Southwark. Elizabeth was baptised on 13^th September 1857 at Bermondsey St Paul’s.  At this time the family lived at 9 South Street, Long Lane, Bermondsey.

Arthur Bryan had five full siblings: Beatrice May born in the 2^nd quarter of 1884; Frank Guy born in the 4^th quarter of 1886; Herbert Charles born in the 4^th quarter of 1888; Frederick James born in the 4^th quarter of 1895 and Winifred Maud born int the 3^rd quarter of 1898, all in Wanstead.

At the time of the 1911 Census, Arthur ’s parents lived at 42 Park Hill Road, Wallington, Surrey. Edwin and his wife Elizabeth were not working. The household further comprised of their children: broker’s clerk Frank, clerk Frederick and Winifred. Elizabeth stated that she had given birth to six children of whom all were still alive. The accommodation had seven rooms

Edwin died on 1^st November 1913. He left to his wife Elizabeth and his sons: draper Lionel Percy Edwin and commercial clerk Frank; and John Racker Webb £5.624, 1s and 8d in Probate.

At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived on Wanstead High Street. Edwin was working as a draper and Elizabeth was at home looking after their children: Beatrice, Frank and Herbert. The household further comprised of Edwin’s children from his previous marriage, and also Henrietta Priest, a servant.

Born		Wanstead, Essex
Lived		Ockley, Surrey
Son of		Edwin Charles and Elizabeth Charlotte (nee Grover) Wright
Brother of		Frank Guy Wright
Regiment		2nd/4th Battalion. The Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment
Number		T/4248 and T/206709
Date of Death		10th May 1917
Place of Death		Israel
Cause of Death		Killed in action
Age		25
Cemetery		Deir El Belah Cemetery, Israel