No.S/29549, Rifleman, Alan WRIGHT
Aged 19
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Allan James Wright was born in 1897 in Wickhambrook (Risbridge Q4-1897 4A:767), son of George William and Jane E WRIGHT (née PETTITT).
1901 census...Aged 3, he was at Bury Road, Ousden with his father George [36] assurance agent; his mother Jane C [35]; sisters Elsie M [9] and Ivy C [6]; brothers Frederick [7] and Charles E [1 month] born Ousden. With the exception of Charles, the rest were all born in Wickhambrook 1911 census...Aged 13, an assistant baker, he was at Front Street, Ousden with his parents (father now baker and Prudential agent), sister Ivy and brothers Frederick, Charles and Cecil [8] born in Ousden. His elder brother Frederick was killed in France in 1916 see here |
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He enlisted in Bury St Edmunds.
The 3rd Battle of the Scarpe (3rd-4th May 1917), a very bad time for the British Army. The Arras battles tend to be missed out of the list, but casualties were as heavy if not heavier than some of the better known battles. Contributors to www.1914-1918 invisionzone.com tell us that: "3rd May 1917 the 14th Division attacked with 2 brigades, each with 2 battalions in the front line. On the right was 41st Brigade with 8th Rifle Brigade on the right and 8th Kings Royal Rifle Corps on the left. On the left was 42nd Brigade with 6th Ox and Bucks on the right and 9th Rifle Brigade on the left. Their objectives were a line running NE along the road from St Michael's statue for 1,500 yard to within 200 yards of Triangle Wood and a line running north-south 1,000 yards east of St. Michael's statue. Zero hour was 03:45 Zero hour was 3.45 a.m. Owing to its jumping off place being nearer the enemy, the 9th Rifle Brigade was not to advance until eighteen minutes later. Heavy losses were suffered but both objectives taken, with machine gun fire in Triangle wood causing severe losses and a heavy enemy bombardment on the whole Divisional area as far back as Brigade HQ. This was taking place just to the NW of Cherisy. Of the 96 men of the 9th Rifle Brigade who were killed, only two have identified graves. The Bury Free Press of 8th March 1919 reported:- OUSDEN LAD MISSING Information has been received by Mr.and Mrs.G.Wright, of Chapel Villas, Ousden, Newmarket, that their son, Rifleman Allan Wright, S/29549, D Coy., 13th Platoon, 9th Rifle Brigade, aged 19, has been missing since May 3rd 1917.On that date he was last seen in a shellhole this side of the German wire during the attack at Monchy.If any regimental comrade possesses any information concerning the missing lad will he please communicate with Mr. Wright.
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
