Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 23111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 698

'2nd Lieutenant Wright found a way where the wire was absent, and with a few men got close up to a German trench, where his party lay down, the bomb throwers pitching a few bombs into the German trench, still occupied by the enemy. Seeing they were not getting on, 2nd Lieutenant Wright called for volunteers to mount the parapet and get into the trench. Two bomb throwers and two men with fixed bayonets responded, and they sprang up and jumped over the parapet, escaping by some chance the German fire, and no sooner had they landed in the trench then the Germans took to their heels. The bomb throwers continued their work, and small batches of Germans came back holding up white flags. By this time some more of our men had got across into the trench, and taking the surrendering Germans prisoners, sent them back to our lines under escort.'

(A comrade describes the heroic actions of 2nd Lieutenant G. C. Wright, 2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment, moments before his death)

A tragic 'Battle of Neuve Chapelle 1915' M.I.D. casualty pair awarded 2nd Lieutenant G. C. Wright, 2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment who was killed in action at the head of the final attack on 14 March 1915, having previously been commissioned from the ranks in October 1914

British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. G. C. Wright.), with M.I.D. oak leaves, good very fine (2)

George Clinton Wright was born at Northwich, Cheshire in January 1890, the son of George and Agnes Wright of 15 Chester Road, Little Sutton, Cheshire. Joining King Edward's Horse in 1908 he transferred to the 1st Battalion, Devonshire Regiment in February 1913, later entering the war in France on 22 August 1914 as a Corporal. As the war ground on the Allies pushed the German forces back to the River Aisne, heavy losses forced the regular Battalions to raise officers from the ranks. One man elevated in this manner was Wright who was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant with the 2nd Battalion in October 1914.

New to his command he led in a fearless manner, leading from the front during the first major offensive of 1915, the Battle of Nueve Chapellle. Leading an attack upon a German trench from the front Wright's small band broke through the enemy line, bombing and bayoneting their way forwards. The effects of the action are quoted in the Bond of Sacrifice which states:

'Before his work was done 2nd Lieutenant Wright and his party were instrumental in killing about thirty of the enemy and taking about eighty prisoners, a very remarkable feat for a small party of one officer and fewer than half a dozen men'.

Unfortunately Wright's impulse to lead from the front was also to be his downfall. Bond of Sacrifice relates that he was shot in the back by a wounded German officer whose life he spared. Regardless he was certainly mentioned in despatches for his actions (London Gazette 22 June 1915 refers). Wright was buried at the Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy; sold together with copied census data, medal rolls, M.I.C. and Commonwealth War Graves Certificate.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£190

Starting price
£80