Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Wright, a master mariner, born 1859 in Mistley, Essex and his wife Mary Wright (nee Emmerson, married in the 4th quarter of 1880 in the Sunderland, Durham, district), born 1853 in Sunderland, County Durham. Charles James was born in the 1st quarter of 1885 in Sunderland, his siblings were, Lily, born 1882, Gertrude, born 1886 and Alfred Emmerson, born 1888, all his siblings were born in Sunderland, in April 1891 the family home was at John Street West, Bishop Wearmouth, County Durham. In March 1901 Charles was employed as a pupil teacher and was residing in the family home at 80, Cleveland Road, Sunderland, together with his mother and siblings, Elizabeth Emmerson, a college student, born 1881 in Sunderland, Gertrude, Alfred and Verna, born 1893 in Sunderland, also residing in the family home was Charles’s Uncle, Frederick Emmerson, a shipyard caulker, born 1869 in Sunderland and his Cousin, Jane Ann Emmerson, born 1889 in Sunderland. In April 1911 Charles was absent from the family home at 80, Cleveland Road, Sunderland, residing there was his father, a master mariner, his mother and siblings, Alfred, a teacher and Gertrude, a teacher, Charles was engaged as a resident schoolmaster at Drax Grammar School, Selby, Yorkshire. In the 1st quarter of 1916 in the Sunderland, County Durham district, Charles married Nora Campbell Anderson, Nora was an elementary school teacher and was born in 1885 in Hylton, County Durham and was the daughter of James and Mary Ann Keith Anderson of Merle Terrace, Sunderland.
On Friday November 3rd 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – DEATH OF MR. C. J. WRIGHT. – SENIOR SCIENCE MASTER AT THE MELTON MOWBRAY GRAMMAR SCHOOL. – (Specially contributed). Regret will be widespread that 2nd Lieut. C. J. Wright, South Staffs., (attached Machine Gun Corps), was killed in action at the “head of his team” on October 18th. Mr. Wright had a tragically short experience of active service. Early in September he was ordered to ---, remained about a fortnight on the coast, and then went to the Front. He was just reaching the period of his first relief from the trenches when he fell. The military training of Mr. Wright dates back some years. At Durham University he was for two years a member of the University Volunteer Corps (in the days preceding the establishment of the O.T.C.’s) attached to the Northumberland Fusiliers – the “Fighting Fifth.” Such experience was invaluable when Mr. Wright undertook the training of the boys of the King Edward VII Grammar School, Melton Mowbray, in military drill before the establishment of the 1st Leicestershire Cadet Battalion, in which he was one of the earliest commissioned officers. During the summer of 1915 he joined the O.T.C. at his old University for a course of training. Through the O.T.C. he applied for a commission, and was appointed to the South Staffordshire Regiment. Then followed a lengthy period of training at --- afterwards joining the Machine Gun Corps. Mr. Wright’s anxiety to shorten the period of training and to see active service, induced him to secure attachment to the M.G.C. when large demands were being made on that arm of the service. This transference made it doubtful with what unit he should serve. As in fact he was attached to the “Black Watch.” What pride he took in that historic regiment, and in his own men (three with the Military Cross) his letters show. Officers and men were clearly on excellent terms. And that was to be expected. No one fails to feel the attraction of unassuming ability. The scholastic career of Mr. Wright began with six years at the Bede School, Sunderland, where he passed to the Armstrong College of Science at Newcastle-on-Tyne. He proceeded Bachelor of Science in the University of Durham in the year 1907. For over three years he was an assistant master at the Drax Grammar School, Yorks., and in 1911 was appointed Science Master of the Melton Mowbray Grammar School. Patient and of lucid mind, he made an excellent teacher. A thorough sportsman, his popularity amongst his pupils and a wide circle of friends was marked. For his wife (quite recently married), and for the bereaved family sympathy will be heartfelt. It has been good to know, it will be good to remember Charles James Wright. – W.S.R.
And in the same issue under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – DEATHS. – WRIGHT. – Killed in action on October 19th, 1916. Charles James Wright, 2nd Lieut. Machine Gun Company, dearly loved husband of Nora C. Wright, of 19, Merle Terrace, Sunderland, and elder son of Captain and Mrs. Wright, of 80, Cleveland Road, Sunderland.
On Friday November 10th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – THE LATE LIEUT. C. J. WRIGHT. – In this week’s Battalion Orders of the Leicestershire Cadets, Colonel H. Harvey, V.D., D.L., says: The C.O. notes with deep regret the death in France of Second-Lieut. C. J. Wright, Machine Gun Corps, one of the original officers of this battalion. The C.O. is sure that his regret will be shared by all ranks, and trusts that the example of Second-Lieut. Wright’s sacrifice will not be lost on the Battalion. At a meeting of the Governors held on November 3rd, 1916. Mr. Richard Dalgliesh, D.L., J.P., chairman of Governors presiding, the following resolution was adopted:- “That this meeting of the Governors of the County Grammar School of King Edward VII, Melton Mowbray, place on record their appreciation of the services rendered to the school and of the high example set to the scholars by the late Senior Science Master, Second- Lieutenant Charles James Wright, South Staffordshire Regiment, killed in action in France on the 19th October, 1916, and that the Chairman be asked to convey to his wife and relatives the assurance of their sympathy with them in their irreparable loss.” At Wednesday’s meeting of the Leicestershire County Council, the Chairman (Mr. T. Cope), in moving the adoption of the Education Committee’s report, said the committee had learned with deep regret the death on active service of Second Lieutenant C. J. Wright, late of Melton Mowbray Grammar School, Sergeant J. C. Whitlock, Melton Mowbray C.E. School and Private C. G. Taylor, Lutterworth Boy’s School. They had been gratified to hear that Lieutenant M. A. Kent, a woodwork instructor had been awarded the Military Cross.
On Friday December 22nd 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “COUNTY GRAMMAR SCHOOL, MELTON MOWBRAY.” – ROLL OF HONOUR. –
George W. Eadie, Canadian Infantry, died of wounds, March 1915.
Sidney Summerfield, Leicestershire Regt., killed in action, Sept, 24th 1915.
Charles James Wright, 2nd Lieut., South Staffordshire Regiment, killed in action, 19th Oct., 1916.
On Friday March 30th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR” – THE LATE LIEUT. C. J. WRIGHT. PRESENTATION OF PORTRAIT TO MELTON MOWBRAY GRAMMAR SCHOOL.- On Monday morning the portrait of Lieut. C. J. Wright, who fell in the service of his country on October 19th, was presented by the pupils of the “Belvoir” House to be hung in the Hall of the King Edward VII Grammar School, Melton Mowbray, where Lieut. Wright had been Senior Science Master since 1911. In making the presentation on behalf of Mr Wright’s old House, the headmaster Mr. R. Stuart Smith, said that it had been the wish of the Belvoir House to be allowed the privilege of presenting this memorial of their old house master to the school. His portrait would be a reminder of a most cheerful and sympathetic teacher, to whose unselfish enthusiasm they all owed so heavy a debt. It would be an inspiration in days to come. If sound education be based upon character, Mr Wright was happy in his reputation. His influence was always for good. He had met the call of his country as quietly and as cheerfully as he had met the easier duties that fell to his lot as a school master. The most valued possession of any school must be its honourable traditions. In the memory of Charles James Wright their school had a tradition to be treasured for many long years. Owing to the unavoidable absence of the Chairman of Governors, Mr Richard Dalgliesh, D.L., the ceremony of unveiling the portrait was performed by Mr Josiah Gill, J.P. Like the headmaster, he admired the cheerful readiness to answer the call of duty shown by Mr Wright. After emphasising the important part character must always play in any educational work, he asked the Director of Education to speak. Mr Brockington felt sure that the good influence of Mr Wright was far from being lost to the school. It would remain with them as an inspiration. He had always been struck by Mr Wright’s unassuming acceptance of duty. He well remembered the attitude of Mr Wright when the Cadet Corps. Battalion, of which he was one of the first officers, was being formed. In the smaller things as in the greater Mr Wright had been the same. He had answered the last call in his own quiet way, as though he were doing nothing special at all. At the close the pupils of the school were allowed to file past the portrait, which is an excellent likeness of Mr Wright.