Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Wright, an elastic fabric manufacturer, born 1850 in Birches Green, Erdington, Warwickshire and his wife Agnes Wright (nee Meadows, married on the 1st June 1876 in St. Martin’s Church, Leicester), born 1857 in Leicester. Harold, a schoolboy, was born in the 2nd quarter of 1884 in Quorn, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Percy William Meadows, a schoolboy, born on the 3rd February 1877 in Leicester, Nora May, a schoolgirl, born 1882 in Quorn and Hugh, born 1889 in Loughborough, Leicestershire, in April 1891 the family home was at Forest Road, Loughborough. In March 1901 Harold was absent from the family home at One Ash, Woodthorpe, Loughborough, residing there was his father, an elastic web manufacturer, his mother and siblings, Hugh, a schoolboy and Nora, Harold was residing as a pupil boarder at Mill Hill Public Secondary School, Hendon, Croydon, Surrey. In April 1911 Harold was an elastic web manufacturer and was residing in the family home at One Ash, Woodthorpe, Loughborough together with his father an elastic web manufacturer, his mother and brother, Percy, an elastic web manufacturer.
The War Diary records: 28 Jul-15 – GALLIPOLI. Relieved from trenches bivouacked in open. Captain H. WRIGHT and Lieutenant G. M. SMYTH wounded. One Private wounded.
On Friday March 19th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – LEICESTERSHIRE CRICKETER PROMOTED. – Lieut. Harold Wright, the well known Leicestershire cricketer, has been promoted to the rank of Captain in the 6th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.
On Friday, August, 6, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “Leicestershire and the War.” – Leicestershire Cricketer Wounded. – Captain Harold Wright, 6th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, the well known Leicestershire cricketer, has been wounded in the Dardanelles. Captain Wright, one of the best known club cricketers in Leicestershire for several years past, played in six matches for the county last season.
On Monday, August, 9, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “Leicestershire and the War.” – Hit While Leading His Men. – Mr. William Wright, of One Ash, near Loughborough, Has learnt that his son, Captain Harold Wright, of the 6th Loyal North Lancashire’s, who was officially reported wounded a few days ago – is now lying at the General Hospital, No.19, Alexandria, and it is feared, in a somewhat critical condition. It appears that he was wounded on the 28th July while leading his men, a shrapnel shell bursting near him, and inflicting injuries of a grave character. This occurred somewhere in the Dardanelles, and Captain Wright was subsequently removed to Alexandria.
On Wednesday, August, 11, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “Leicestershire and the War.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – WOUNDED LEICESTER OFFICERS. – Mr. Percy Wright, of Quorn, informs us that Captain HAROLD WRIGHT, who is in hospital at Alexandria, is, according to Sir Victor Horsley’s report, slightly better, but his condition is still very serious.
On Friday August 13th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “WOUNDED QUORN OFFICER.” - Mr. Percy Wright, of Quorn, states that Captain Harold Wright, who is in hospital at Alexandria, is according the Sir Victor Horsley’s report, slightly better, but his condition is still very serious. Captain Wright, who commanded a company of the 6th Loyal North Lancashires was hit by shrapnel in the head and back while leading his men. He only joined the army on the outbreak of the war, and was well known in Leicestershire cricket circles, having played for the county on several occasions.
On Wednesday September 15th, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – DEATH OF CAPT. HAROLD WRIGHT. – LEICESTERSHIRE CRICKETER SUCCUMBS TO WOUNDS. We regret to announce that Captain Harold Wright, 6th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, has succumbed to wounds received in the Dardanelles on July 28th. It will be remembered that the gallant officer, whose condition was from the first regarded as critical, was taken to hospital at Alexandria, and he was there visited by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Wright, of One Ash. He afterwards accompanied them home, and landed in England a few days ago, but he became worse, and a message received on Tuesday announced his death. As has been previously reported, Captain Wright was wounded while leading his men, a shrapnel shell bursting near him, and inflicting grave injuries. Captain Wright was a well known cricketer, whose abilities as a batsman had for several years been recognised in good class club cricket, both in his own county and elsewhere. His active experience of first class cricket, was restricted to a few matches in the 1914 season, when he took part in half-a-dozen matches for Leicestershire, and there is little doubt that with a regular appearance in the team and the time to devote to the game, he would have made his mark in the highest class. Certainly his form in the best class club cricket encouraged that view of his prospects. His two best scores in his few appearances for Leicestershire were both against Hampshire, 29 at Leicester, and 26 not out at Southampton. The latter was his best performance, and one of which he was very warmly congratulated at the time. On a treacherous wicket, with Jacques and Kennedy bowling with great effect, Leicestershire were all out for 63, all the batsmen failing with the exception of Wright, who enjoyed the distinction, rare in first class cricket, of carrying his bat right through the innings. As a footballer, too, he was more than an ordinary exponent. For several seasons he was a member of the Stoneygate Rugby Club, whom he captained with considerable success. His consistently dashing forward work stamped him as a leader of much merit. He was liked by all who knew him, and his death, at the early age of 31, will be deeply regretted.
On Friday September 17th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” LEICESTERSHIRE CRICKETER DIES OF WOUNDS. – We regret to announce that Captain Harold Wright, 6th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, has succumbed to wounds received in the Dardanelles on July 28th. It will be remembered that the gallant officer, whose condition was from the first regarded as critical, was taken to hospital at Alexandria, and he was there visited by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Wright, of One Ash, Quorn. He afterwards accompanied them home, and landed in England a few days ago, but he became worse, and a message received on Tuesday announced his death. As has been previously reported, Captain Wright was wounded while leading his men, a shrapnel shell bursting near him, and inflicting grave injuries. Captain Wright was a well known Leicester cricketer, whose abilities as a batsman had for several years been recognised in good class club cricket, both in his own county and elsewhere. His active experience of first class cricket was restricted to a few matches in the 1914 season, when he took part in half a dozen matches for Leicestershire, and there is little doubt that with a regular appearance in the team and the time to devote to the game, he would have made his mark in the highest class. Certainly his form in the best club cricket encouraged that view of his prospects. His two best scores in his few appearances for Leicestershire were both against Hampshire, 29 at Leicester and 26 not out at Southampton. The latter was his best performance and one on which he was very warmly congratulated at the time. On a treacherous wicket, with Jacques and Kennedy bowling, with great effect, Leicestershire were all out for 63, all the batsmen failing with the exception of Wright, who enjoyed the distinction, rare in first class cricket, of carrying his bat right through the innings. He was liked by all who knew him, and his death, at the early age of 31, will be deeply regretted.
On Friday September 24th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “THE LATE CAPTAIN H. WRIGHT.” – MILITARY FUNERAL AT QUORN. The remains of Capt. Harold Wright, of the 6th Loyal North Lancashires, were interred on Friday afternoon in the parish churchyard at Quorn. They were brought from London to his father’s home at One Ash, Loughborough, by the Monday midnight train to Leicester, and thence taken by road to One Ash. The remains were enclosed in an American shaped shell and casket, the inner being of elm covered with grey velvet, and the outer of plain English oak, with antique silver fittings, and bearing the inscription;
Captain Harold Wright,
6th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
Died of wounds, received in the Dardanelles
on July 28th 1915
Aged 31 years.
While at One Ash the coffin was covered with a large Union Jack on which rested the deceased officer’s head-dress and sword. The funeral was accorded full military honours, and marks of general sympathy and respect from the public. The remains were conveyed from One Ash to St. Bartholomew’s Church, at Quorn, on a gun carriage from the Royal Horse Artillery camp at Garendon. The cortege was headed by a firing party under Lieut. Ellis, and the band from the depot at Glen Parva. Private Buckingham, the Regimental V.C., also attended. There were 10 bearers from the barracks, and the pall bearers were officer friends of the deceased, Capt. W. P. Wright (cousin), Capt. Adamson, R.H.A., Capt. F. Browne, 2/4th Leicesters, Capt A. S. Walter, 6th Loyal North Lancashires, and Lieut. A. Peach, A.S.C. The family mourners were, Mr. William Wright J.P., (father), Mr. P. W. M. Wright and Mr. H. Wright (brothers), Mr. W. Evans jun. (brother in law), Ald. James Wright, J.P. (uncle), Mr. S. J. Wright (cousin), Mr. Wm. Evans, J.P., Sir Maurice Lever, M.P. and Mr. W. Wykes. The Loughborough and Quorn units of the Volunteer Training Corps were on parade under Commandant R. S. Clifford, jun., with Platoon Commanders W. H. Paltridge, T. A. Wilkinson, (Loughborough), W. Chilton (Quorn), and Sergt. Major O. Brown, and the Quorn and Barrow Cadets under Lieut’s F. Fernshy, and A. D. Lidster. The representatives from the works at Quorn and Loughborough were Messrs. W. Turner, T. Shenton, E. C. Laundon, and A. Turner, and a large number of employees from both mills attended. The Leicestershire Cricket Club was represented by Ald. J. Parsons, Messrs. G. F. Rudd, D. M. Gimson, R. K. Hull, C. C. C., J. B. Wood and S. C. Packer. Ald. W. Moss and Mr. G. W. Lloyd-James attended on behalf of the Loughborough Division Liberal Association. The Leicestershire Club was represented by Messrs. S. P. Pick and T. H. Fosbrooke. Amongst those in the church were Lieut. Spencer Hart, 10th Leicesters, Lieut. F. Dichenson, 4th Leicesters, Lieut. G. N. Wykes, 3rd Leicesters, Capt. R. R. Stamford, R.A.M.C., Major Haines (sec. Notts. Territorial) Association, Capt. and Adjutant Brockington, Leicestershire Cadet Corps, Capt. E. Harrison, Messrs. A. S. Partridge, F. S. Partridge, M. A. Cooke, H. S. Clifford, jun., and J. Hallam of the Royal Automobile Volunteer Corps, Mr. Herbert Wright (Knighton), Mr. and Mrs. Stockdale Harrison (Woodhouse), Miss Priscilla Harrison, Mr. G. F. Farnham (Quorn), Mrs. J. Swain (Kirby Mallory), Mr. G. White and Miss White (Quorn), Dr. Unitt (Quorn), Dr. Skipworth (Mountsorrel), Mr. W. G. Pegg, Mr. G. Wykes, Mr. J. F. Morton, Mr. P. R. Wykes, Mrs. R. S. Clifford (Loughborough), Mrs. J. J. Sharp (Coalville), Mrs. Stevens, Mr. T. Rowley (Leicester), Mr. J. Murray-Wells (Leicester), Mr. A. R. Thomas (Loughborough), Mr. J. R. Frisby (Leicester), Mr. A. W. Barrs, Mr. C. D. G. Gee, Mr. W. F. Curtis (Leicester), Mr. O. S. Brown (Quorn), and Mr. Stuart Hartshorn (Nottingham). On arrival at the churchyard gates the firing party formed a guard of honour as the coffin was borne into the church, where it was met by the officiating clergy, the Rev. J. W. Marsh, of St. Michael’s, Belgrave, the Rev. H. H. Rumsey, vicar of Quorn. The hymns sung were “Onward Christian Soldiers,” and “Peace Perfect Peace.” At the close of the service, the organist Mr. C. K. White, played Chopin’s “Marche Funebra.” The coffin was lowered into a brick vault lined with moss and white flowers, and at the close of the committal three volleys were fired over the grave, and the Last Post was sounded. Amongst the floral tributes sent by relatives was a cushion of orchids and white chrysanthemums from “Father and mother,” and other emblems from “Percy,” “Hugh,” “Nora,” “Seymour.” Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Burr, Mrs. Evans, Billie and Gertrude, Auntie Nellie, Gladys, and Natilie, Connie and Bich, Sidney and Ethel, Uncle Jim, Ethel and Marjorie, Captain and Mrs. Walter P. Wright, Mrs. W. H. Stevens (Leicester), Sir Maurice Levy, M.P., and Lady levy, Jennie Moss, Mr. and Mrs. David Gimson (Leicester), John Smith, the committee of the Leicestershire C. C., Stuart and Ida (Nottingham), Arthur Oram, Alice and Mildred, Captain and Mrs. Etienne Browne, Leicester Ivanhoe C. C., Philip Wykes, the maids at Ash Lodge (Knighton), indoor and outdoor servants at One Ash and Pollard, Mr. and Mrs. Cantrell Hubberaty (Rothley), Mrs. Frisby and family (Leicester), Joe and Eleanor Frisby (Oadby), the Executive of the Loughborough and District Liberal Association, Mr. and Mrs. Stockdale Harrison (Woodhouse), Mrs. T. Firr and family, Charlotte Boock and Kingsley S. Gimson (Leicester), Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Scholes (Manchester), Mr. Ben B. Barrow, Quorn Cricket Club, Mr. Loundon and family, Mr. F. W. Partridge, foremen and overlookers at Quorn Mills, Mr. T. Shenton, Mr. W. Turner, workpeople at Quorn Mills, office staff at Quorn Mills, families of J. Driessens and A. Ryntjens, Dr. and Mrs. Strachan, Mr. and Mrs. G. White and family, Quorn Nursing Association, male employees at Loughborough Mills, female employees at Quorn Mills, Mr. and Mrs. Farrar Kirk, J. E. Barker, T. Barker, jun. and H. Barker, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Turner, Mr. and Mrs. Perkins Pick (Leicester), Dr. and Mrs. Crosby, staff at Loughborough Mills, Mrs. Tarr and Mabel (Leicester). And in the same edition under the heading “A BROTHER OFFICER’S APPRECIATION.” – The following is an extract from a letter received by Mr. Wm. Wright from Captain A. S. Walker, a brother officer, who had returned from the Dardanelles owing to an accident:- “It is with the very deepest regret that I heard yesterday of the death of your son and my brother officer, Captain Harold Wright. Please accept from me my very deepest sympathy for you and your family in your sad loss. It was my privilege to know your son intimately during the months we were training together, and his cheerful disposition and capabilities made him loved by his brother officers and men. The admiration and devotion of his men was the true test of his magnificent character. His every thought was for his men and their comfort, and they almost worshipped him, and would follow him anywhere for what he did for them. The regiment and county have lost an officer they can ill afford in these terrible times, but he gave his life gladly for his country, and will never be forgotten by those whose privilege it was to know him.” Another brother officer Lieut. J. Drummond Crichton, he has been wounded, and is in hospital, wrote expressing his regret at not being able to be present.