Name
Herbert Wright
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
Herbert Wright was born on 2nd July 1900 at Watford. In the 1911 Census he was listed as a “Nurse Child” being fostered by the Wright family at Abbots Langley. His foster parents Thomas and Sarah Wright had had three children of their own and his half-brother Edward also served in the Great War.
At the time of the 1901 Census the family lived at Breakspear Road in Abbots Langley. Thomas worked as a Gardener. However by 1911 Sarah was listed as the Head of the Household and the family had moved to Troley Bottom. Thomas was not listed in the 1911 Census.
Edward was recorded in the Abbots Langley Parish Magazine Roll of Honour for the first time in June 1917, serving with the Royal Navy. He was listed with the Royal Navy throughout the War. His Service Record noted that he commenced service on 18th May 1917 at HMS “Ganges”, a shore establishment near Harwich. When he joined he gave his occupation as Factory Hand. He remained at HMS “Ganges” until 5th October 1917, serving with the rank Boy II. From 6th October to 2nd January he served aboard HMS “Powerful”, a cruiser built in 1894 that had been converted to a Troop Transport. During his time aboard this ship he was promoted to the rank of Boy I on 15th December 1917.
From 3rd January to 22nd February 1918 Herbert was based at HMS “Vivid”, another Navy shore establishment, at Devoport. Herbert’s next ship was HMS “Donegal” which was employed on North Atlantic convoy duties. He served aboard HMS “Donegal” from 23rd February 1918 to 24th January 1919, and on 8th July 1918 was promoted to the rank Ordinary Seaman. From 25th January to 21st August 1919 Herbert served aboard HMS “Cornwall”, which at the time was a training ship. Herbert continued serving with the Royal Navy through to 27th May 1927, and during this time spent time with a number of different ships.
Herbert Wright survived the War, as did his half-brother Edward.
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
