Claude Algernon Wright
From Our Contribution
 Western Mail 15 Dec 1916 page 23 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | not known |
| Place of Birth | Serpentine, Western Australia |
| Death | 29 Jul 1916 |
| Place of Death | Poziéres, France |
| Age at Enlistment | 22 years, 6 months |
| Description | 5'3" (1.60m) tall; weight 108 lbs (49kg); medium complexion, grey eyes, brown hair. |
| Occupation | clerk |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | NOK 61 Jewell street, East Perth, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father Mr George Thomas Wright |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 3317 |
| Date of Enlistment | 13 Sep 1915 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 28th Battalion, 7th reinforcement to 14 Platoon, D Company / 7th Brigade, 2nd Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 18 Jan 1916 - 16 Feb 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A7 Medic |
| Fate | Killed in Action 29 Jul 1916 Poziéres |
| Monument | Mundijong School Roll of Honour |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Contents
Pre War
War Service
Had tried to enlist in Sep 1914, but was rejected on chest measurement. Soon after entering camp in Sep 1915, Claude was allocated to the 7th reinforcement draft for the 28th Battalion (1 Nov 1915), travelling with them to Alexandria, in Egypt. On 21 Mar 1916 he embarked on HMT Oriana in Alexandria, and disembarked in Marseilles, France on 27 Mar 1916.
On 8 Jun 1916 he was taken on strength of the 28th Battalion as it extricated itself from the support trenches and marched to billets at "Rue Dormoire". They returned to the trenches on 28 Jun 1916.
During the early evening of 28 Jul 1917 the 28th Battalion moved into position to attack German trenches north of Poziéres. 10 minutes after midnight the enemy seemed to have wind of the attack, and unleashed a heavy barrage of high explosive and shrapnel shells causing casualties. When the attack commenced, it was to find that hte enemy's wire was intact, and they began to suffer heavy casualties. By 2:00am on 29 Jul 1916 it was obvious that no further advance was possible and the troops that could were withdrawn to their earlier positions. Casualties for the day included 63 killed, 151 wounded, and 257 missing. Claude was one of the latter group. His status remained unresolved until 4 Jan 1917 when a Court of Enquiry judged that he had been killed in action on the morning of 29 Jul 1916.
"Wright - name Claude. Was missing at Pozieres when we went over at midnight on July 28th. He was in 14 Platoon. I did not see what became of him, but Ted Harris in my platoon (16), told me he had a letter from Wright's Mother to say that she had been informed definately that he was killed." Lee W.P. Pte 3175
Notes