Military History

 

Embarked Sydney per HMAT ‘ Ulysses’ A38 for France 20.2.1916.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 1st Mining Corps. No.3 Company.
Wright disembarked at Marseilles 5.5.1916 with his Unit. He entrained at Marseilles for Hazebrouck 8.5.1916. On arrival in France, the Mining Corp was disbanded and 3 Tunnelling Companies were raised. Wright was assigned to the 3rd Tunnelling Division 18.12.1916. The 3rd Tunnelling Coy was engaged in offensive mining from December 1916- March 1917 including in the Fauquissart Region and Hill 70 and the Arras offensive. (Chronology 3ATC) Wright was promoted to L/Cpl. 19.11.1917. He was wounded in action in the field shell/ gassed 31.3.1918. Wright was transferred to the 102 Field Ambulance and transferred to the 3rd Canadian General Hospital 6.4.1918. He was sent to rest camp 12.4.1918. Wright marched in to Rouelles from Hospital 18.4.1918. He rejoined his unit 25.4.1918. Wright was promoted to T/2nd Cpl. 27.4.1918 and 2/Cpl 29.4.1918. He was wounded in action a 2nd time with a GSW to his left knee 31.8.1918. Wright was taken to a Casualty Clearing Station then admitted to 2nd Australian General Hospital at Boulogne 2.9.1918. On recovery he was transferred to the No 7 Command Depot. He rejoined his Unit 16.11.1918 and was detached for duty with HQ 21.12.1918. He rejoined his Unit 31.1.1919 and marched out to England, to the 2nd Training Brigade at Codford 19.3.1919. Wright was demobilised and listed for return to Australia.
Embarked for Australia from Devonport UK per ‘Sardinia’ for Australia 19.7.1919.
Returned/ Discharged 28.5.1919.
Discharged 12.7.1919.
Final Rank 2/Cpl. 3rd Tunnellers.
Medical Condition NK.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes No connection has been found between Wright and Guildford, it is possible that the name should read Walter John Wrights as (SN 973) was born in Guildford although no other association was found.
Photo  HMAT 'Ulysses'. Photographer P.E.F. Schuler, photograph sourced AWM PS0154
             3rd Tunnellers in Hythe Alley, Hill 70, near Loos  1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E01712
             Gassed Australian soldiers awaiting treatment, Boise deL'Abbe 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E04851
             3rd Australian Tunnelling Coy. drilling a ventilation hole in a tunnel 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced AWM E01689
 

Information Source
AWM PS0154. HMAT 'Ulysses'. Photographer P.E.F. Schuler, photograph sourced  from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E01712. 3rd Tunnellers in Hythe Alley, Hill 70, near Loos  1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial  Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E04851. Gassed Australian soldiers awaiting treatment, Boise deL'Abbe 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E01689. 3rd Australian Tunnelling Coy. drilling a ventilation hole in a tunnel 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced  from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Rolls John Walter Wright
St Matthew’s Honour Roll
NAA: B2455, Wright J W

Associated Images