Name
Robert James Wright
8/02/1891
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
15/12/1916
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
32442
Essex Regiment
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Searched but not found
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
WALTHAM HOLY CROSS OLD CEMETERY
L. 10. 4518.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
"PEACE PERFECT PEACE"
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Waltham Cross Memorials, Waltham Abbey Memorial
Pre War
Robert James WRIGHT was born in Waltham Abbey, Essex, on 8th February 1891, son of George Wright a Domestic Coachman and Mary Wright (nee Thurlow). One of twelve children although 3 died in infancy.
Baptised on 1st March 1891 at St Lawrence and Holy Cross, Waltham Abbey, Essex.
1891 Census records Robert aged 2 months, living with his parents, brothers, George (3) and David (1), in Bakers Entry, Waltham Holly Cross, Essex.
1901 Census, Robert (10), is living with his parents, and four brothers at, 54 Sun Street, Waltham Abbey, Essex.
1911 Census, Robert (20), is working as a General labourer, living with his parents, seven brothers and sister Dorothy (1), at, Sewardstone Street, Waltham Abbey, Essex.
Robert married Lily Garrett of Waltham Abbey, the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Garratt on 5th August 1916, at St Lawrance and Holy Cross, Waltham Abbey, Essex.
Wartime Service
Robert enlisted at Warley, Essex, posted to the 3rd (Service) Battalion, Essex Regiment with the service number 32442.
The 3rd (Service) Battalion, Essex Regiment was a Training Battalion, stationed at Harwich, in August 1914, moving to Felixstowe, in March 1916.
Robert died on 15th December 1916, aged 25, at Cliff Hospital, Felixstowe, Suffolk, of Accidental Wounds, believed to have been received while training.
He is buried in Waltham Holy Cross Old Cemetery, Waltham Holy Cross, Essex. Grave Ref: L. 10. 4518.
Additional Information
Lily received a widow’s pension of 13/9, a week from 18th June 1917, his effects of £1-14-11, pay owing, he did not qualify for a war gratuity as he did not serve overseas. Lily was awarded a grant of £5, on 29th January 1918. His widow ordered his headstone inscription, while living 24 Sydney Road, Waltham Cross, Herts., in reads: "PEACE PERFECT PEACE".
No Medal Index Card (MID) was found for Robert.
1921 Census records Lily as a Widow and boarding with Joseph and Sarah Threadgold, at 24 Sidney Street, Waltham Cross, Herts. The Census records they had a visitor on the night of the Census a Miss Annie Frances Garrett, (possible Lily’s elder sister).
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
