Name
Chris Wright
1900
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
16/10/1918
18
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
13/84514
Rifle Brigade
53rd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Searched but not found
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HITCHIN CEMETERY
South 960
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin, British Schools Museum Memorial, Hitchin
Pre War
Chris was born in 1900 in Hitchin and his parents were Edmund and Selina Wright.
In 1901 the family were living at 9 Benslow Lane, Hitchin. Present were both parents: Edmund (48) and Selina (39), with Edmund working as a gas fitter. Their children were: Edmund E (19), Harold (13), Fred (11) and Chris at 7 months.
By 1911 the family were living at 84 Walsworth Rd, Hitchin. Present were both parents, Edmund working now as a gas fitter and painter. Of the above children Edmund was absent, but two siblings, who had previously been absent, were listed Mildred (26) and Douglas (16). Two boarders were present Robert Vallance (24) and Reginald Gardner (20). The census recorded they had been married for 31 years with 9 children, of whom 4 had died.
Before being called up he had been employed by the Country Gentlemen's Association in Letchworth. He was also a member of the 3rd Hitchin Troop of Boy Scouts.
Officially he was recorded as born and was living in Hitchin when he enlisted in Hertford.
Wartime Service
Chris was allocated Regimental Number TR/13/84514 and posted to the 10th Battalion of the Rifle Brigade although at the time of his death he was in training with the 53rd Young Service Battalion of the Rifle Brigade in Northampton.
He had only been in the army for four-weeks when he contracted influenza in Northampton. This developed into pneumonia and he died in Abington V.A.D. hospital. He was buried in Grave S.960 in Hitchin Cemetery.
Additional Information
After his death £2 17s 8d pay owing was authorised to go to his father, Edmund, on 8 March 1919. There was not war gratuity issued.
His pension cards record Selina Wright as his mother and as his dependant, living at 43 Ickleford Road, Hitchin. The details of her pension are not recorded. Later the details were updated to his father Edmund, with the address as 47 Parliament Street, Peterborough.
He had two brothers serving in the army, Fred who was made a German prisoner of war and Douglas who served in Egypt.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
