Gunner Harold Dyson Wright (School House 1906)
Corporal, Royal Garrison Artillery
Born: November 16th 1889
Died: October 30th 1917
Age at Death: 27
Killed in action, France, 1917
A donation to the memorial statue has been made in honour of this soldier by Stephen Yiduo Chen (Sc. 2011-16).
Harold Dyson Wright
Harold Wright was born in Southport, Lancashire on November 16th 1889. He was the youngest son and fourth child of Albert Wright, a shrimp merchant, and the first child of Mary Jane (née Dyson), Albert’s second wife.
Following the death of his mother, Harold was enrolled at Brighton College from May to December of 1906. During Harold's short time at Brighton College he proved his sporting prowess, becoming a member of the 1st Cricket XI, 1st Football XI and 1st Swimming IV.
Whilst Harold was at Brighton College, his half-brother Robert took over running the family shrimp business which had been started by their father Albert, and on Albert's death Mary Jane had taken over until the boys reached the age of 21. Following Robert's death his daughter took over the family firm until she reached retirement age in the 1950's/1960's when the business was sold.
In 1911 he married Annie Eckersley and in 1915 they had their only child, a daughter, Enid. Harold only met Enid once just after she was born, when he was home on leave.
Harold joined the Royal Garrison Artillery and fought with the 405th Siege Battery during the Third Battle of Ypres. It was there that during the battle’s final stages he was wounded during the fighting for Passchendaele village itself, presumably by enemy artillery fire during the ferocious German counterattacks which took place after British forces entered the village following three months of fighting.
Harold wrote to Annie on the 30th October, to say he had been injured and would be getting a ticket home, hoping he would see her and Enid soon, only to succumb to his wounds later that day. The telegram to say he had died that day arrived before his last letter home. Harold’s final letter, and his medals, remain in the possession of his family.
His grave is in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium, and has been visited by his grandchildren and some of his great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren.