Wright, Clarence William by Central Coast Council

Gosford District Casualties of World War One Bragg, Edmund Allen Wright, Clarence William Service Service Number Number 1494 4354 Killed in Action 19th May 1915 Killed in Action 23rd July 1916 Gallipoli Peninsula Pozieres, France

Gosford City Council gratefully acknowledges the voluntary efforts of Benalyn Campbell And Vivienne Tranter in compiling this resource

The information in this file has been extracted from official records held in the The Australian War Memorial and National Archives of Australia (ÂŠ Commonwealth of Australia [National Archives of Australia] 2013) Further information on this soldier may be found online at: Commonwealth War Graves The AIF project Content advisory: This file may potentially contain disturbing accounts of service-related injury and death, disease and family grief. Adult supervision is recommended for children using these resources. Individual files should be viewed within the context provided by wider research on service conditions in the 1 st AIF. This resource is presented by Gosford City Council for research purposes only. Please note that copyright for resources contained within remains with the original copyright owners.

NAME

Wright, Clarence William

SERVICE NO

4354

UNIT

2nd Battalion/ trans from 3rd Btn 13 Feb 1916

RANK

Lance Corporal

AGE at Enlistment

20 yrs 7 mths

PLACE OF BIRTH

Pyrmont, Sydney, NSw

ADDRESS OCCUPATION

Postal Assistant

DATE OF ENLISTMENT

13 Sept 1915

PLACE OF ENLISTMENT PREVIOUS SERVICE

Holdsworthy, NSW

NEXT OF KIN

Father;- Samuel Charles Wright, “Mayville” Erina/ Mother;- Ellen Elizabeth Wright Height-5’8”. Weight-123lbs. Chest-32-34”. Complexion-Fresh. Eyes-Blue. Hair-Fair. Scar on R/Shoulder C/E

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION RELIGION

Citizens Forces 6 mths

EMBARKED DISEMBARKED NOTES WOUNDED/ILLNESS DIED

23 Jul 1916- Shell Explosion nr Pozieres, France

BURIED MEDALS

British War Medal-28296, Victory Medal-28117. Memorial Plaque & Scroll301384.

DEPENDANTS PERSONAL EFFECTS

Pipe case, scarf, note book/

WILL CORRESPONDENCE

Father/ MLC Life Assurance Co/

REMARKS RED CROSS REPORT

“Killed by Shell Explosion, about 4 pm. on Monday the 25th” eye witness Bomber George Archibald (of Gosford)/

Gosford Times 25th August 1916 Signaler Clarence Wright, killed in action last month, was formerly engaged at Gosford Post Office. He was always a courteous and obliging lad.

Gosford Times 25th August 1916 FALLEN HEROES. On Saturday last, cable message were received by Rev. A. Renwick, Rector of Christ Church, conveying the sad intelligence that two more of our district lads had been killed in battle against the Huns in France – Signaller Clarence William Wright, of Erina, and Private Cyril Martin, of match am. Signaller Wright was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs S. Wright, of “Mayville”, Erina. He was postal assistant at Gosford Post Office for five years, and prior to enlisting was on the Springwood Post office staff for 18 months. He enlisted on 13th September, 1915, and on 10th December sailed for Egypt with the 13th Reinforcements, 3rd Battalion. While in Egypt he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion, and in March last was ordered to France. In the trenches he was promoted to the rank of LanceCorporal, and was killed in action on Sunday, 23 rd July last – the very day that the Roll of Honour was unveiled at Christ Church, Gosford, which included the young hero’s name. Private Cyril Martin, one of his mates was wounded the same day and died in hospital. Deceased was a son of Mr Martin, of Matcham, and was one of the best of a good lot that in days of peace resided in that progressive portion of Gosford district. He was 22 years of age, and enlisted last year. The TIMES, in common with the residents of Brisbane Water district, joins in extending heartfelt sympathy to the parents and relatives of the gallant soldier lads who died fighting for King and Country.

Gosford Times 25th August 1916 IN MEMORIUM WRIGHT – In loving memory of our dear son, LanceCorporal Signaller Clarence William, who was killed in action in France, 23rd July, aged 21 years and 5 months. In a soldier’s grave he is sleeping, The dearest and the best, In our hearts we will miss him for ever, Though we know he is only at rest. Inserted by his sorrowing father and mother, S. and E. Wright. IN MEMORIUM WRIGHT – In loving memory of our dear brother, Lance-Corporal Signaller Clarence William, who was killed in action 23rd July, aged 21 years and 5 months. His King and Country called him, The call was not in vain, On Britain’s roll of honour You will find our hero’s name. Inserted by his loving sisters, Myrtle, Lily and May; and only brother, Eric.

Gosford Times 25th August 1916 RETURN THANKS. MR AND MRS. S. WRIGHT and Family, Erina, return sincere thanks to their many friends for kind tokens of sympathy during their recent sad bereavement in the loss of their dearly beloved son and brother, LanceCorporal Signaller Clarence William Wright, killed in action 23rd July, 1916.

Gosford Times 29th September 1916 Soldiers Letters. Private Kenneth A. Frost writes to his mother at Kincumber:Just these few lines to let yoy know that I came through the big stunt alright after spending six days and seven nights ina place that was as “hot as hell”. It was not too bad in the charge as the positions we had to take were very easy. The Germans won’t put up a fight when they are shifted out of their dug-outs, they throw down their rifles and cry for mercy, and you can picture our chaps giving them mercy at the end of the bayonet. I am quite satisfied that in doing my bit I have avenged some of my fallen comrades. Poor Clarrie Wright was blown to pieces, as a shell hit right on top of him. We went out to try and get his watch and rings to send home, but could find nothing.

Gosford Times 19th July 1917 IN MEMORIUM WRIGHT. – Killed in action in France, 23rd July 1916, Lance-Corporal (Signaller) Clarence William, aged 21 years 5 months. With head erect he faced the foe, He’d heard stern duty’s call; And now he lies in a soldier’s grave, He gae his life, his all. Dearly loved and sadly missed by his loving parents, S. and E. Wright. IN MEMORIUM WRIGHT – Killed in action in France, 23rd July, 1916, Lance-Corporal (Signaller) Clarence William. Aged 21 years 5 months. Your death has made us sad, dear brother, We are sorrowed by your fall; But you died an Australian soldier, ‘Tis the greatest death of all. Inserted by his fond sisters and brothers, Myrtle, Lillie, May, and Eric. IN MEMORIUM WRIGHT – In sad but affectionate remembrance of my dear nephew, Lance-Corporal (Signaller) Clarence William Wright, killed in action in France, July 23rd , 1916. Greater love hath no man than this, He laid down his life for his friends. Inserted by his loving aunt Ivy.

Gosford Times 26th July 1917 ROLL OF HONOUR WRIGHT – Killed in action in France, 23rd July, 1916, Lance-Corporal (Signaller) Clarence William. Aged 21 years 5 months. A young life nobly ended, He died that we might live. Inserted by his loving cousin, Gwen Kelly, West maitland. ROLL OF HONOUR. WRIGHT – Killed in action in France, 23rd July 1916, Lance-Corporal (Siganller) Clarence William. Aged 21 years 5 months. He sleeps not in his native land, But beneath the foreign skies; Far from those who loved him best In a hero’s grave he lies. Inserted by his fond aunt and uncle, T. and W. Kelly, West Maitland.

Gosford Times 18th July 1918 ROLL OF HONOR WRIGHT – In loving memory of our dear son, Clarence William, killed in action at Pozieres, 23rd July 1916. Aged 21 years 5 months. Though buried in a distant grave, Amidst the shot and shell; For country’s sake his life he gave, He stood his trial well. His fight is fought he stood the test, He’ll be remembered – One of the best. Inserted by his loving parents, S. and E. Wright. WRIGHT – In loving memory of our dear brother, Clarence Willaim, killed in action at Pozieres, 23rd July, 1916. Aged 21 years and 5 months. Poziers, to thee our thoughts oft stray, In France so far across the sea. For in the battle scarred soil there lies The form of one so dear to us. Inserted by his loving sisters, Myrtle, Lillie and May, and brother, Eric. WRIGHT – In loving memory of our dear nephew, Clarence William, killed in action at Pozieres, 23rd July, 1916. Aged 21 years and 5 months. He fought for those he loved so dear, That we may all live free, And on the battlefields of France, Gave his life for you and me. His loss to us can never be told. Inserted by his loving uncle and aunt, W. and S. Miles. WRIGHT – In affectionate remembrance of my dear nephew, Lance-Corporal Clarence William Wright, killed in action in France, July 23rd, 1916. Aged 21 years and 5 months. He fought for those he loved so dear, That we may all live free; And on the battlefields of France, He gave his life for you and me. Inserted by his loving aunt, Ivy Craft, and cousin, Given, West Maitland.

Gosford Times 17th July 1919 ROLL OF HONOR WRIGHT – In loving memory of our dearly beloved son, Lance-Corporal Signaller Clarence William, killed in action in France on 23rd July, 1916. Aged 21 years and 5 months. When we see the boys returning, Our hearts does throb with pain; To know you are not there, Clarrie’ And will never come home again. We seem to see his dear, smiling face, Through a mist of anxious tears; And a mother’s part is a broken heart, And a burden of lonely years. Inserted by his sorrowing parents, S. and E. Wright. WRIGHT – In lving memory of our dearly beloved brother, Lance-Corporal Signaller Clarence Willaim killed in action in France on 23rd July, 1916. Aged 21 years and 5 months. We miss you, for we loved you, Your memory we recall; The parting with you, dear brother, Was the saddest day of all. Inserted by his loving sisters and brother, Myrtle, Lily, May and Eric.

Sydney Morning Herald ROLL OF HONOUR pg. 15 Wright – Killed in action, France, July 23, 1916, Lance-Corporal Signaller Clarence William Wright, aged 21 years and 5 months, Erina, late of Springwood. He gave his life for his King and country.

Abridged record/s courtesy of the National Archives of Australia (NAA) Series No: B2455 Item Barcode: 3447268