Military History

Embarked Adelaide per HMAT ‘Geelong’ A2 for Egypt 18.11.1915.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 32nd Infantry Battalion, AIF.
Wrightson disembarked Suez 10.12.1915. He was taken on strength with 14th Field Artillery Brigade (FAB). Wrightson was punished for falling asleep at his post at Port Tewfik (forfeit 4 days pay) 18.12.1915. He was transferred to the 5th Division Artillery Field Artillery Brigade at Tel-el- Kebir 15.3.1916 then posted to 53rd Battery 15.3.1916. He was mustered as a Driver at Ferry Post 11.4.1916. Wrightson entrained to Alexandria, joined the BEF and embarked for France 19.6.1916. He disembarked at Marseilles 27.6.1916. Wrightson was admitted to the Canadian Hospital at Havre with diarrhoea 2.7.1916 and discharged 3 days later. He went to England on leave for two weeks and was then to the School of Instruction 23.3.1917. He was promoted to T/Bdr. 1.7.1917, then Bdr. Wrightson was promoted to T/Cpl. 4.10.1917 then to Cpl. 3.1.1918.
By the time the Hindenburg Line was reached, the 5th Division was one of only two Australian Divisions with the strength to breach the Line with the US troops on September 29th 1918 (AWM 5th Division). Wrightson was wounded in action during the breaching of the Line. He received a bomb wound to his left eye and arm 3.10.1918. Wrightson was invalided to England per HS ‘Gloucester Castle’. He was admitted to the 2nd London General Hospital at Chelsea 8.10.1918. He was subsequently diagnosed with a debility and admitted to hospital 26.12.1918. Wrightson was listed for return to Australia
Embarked for Australia per ‘Port Sydney’ 22.9.1919.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 4.11.1919.
Discharged 21.1.1920.
Final Rank Corporal, 14th Field Artillery Brigade.
Medical Condition NK.
Awards and Medals 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes The ‘Geelong’ was sunk in the Mediterranean 5.1.1916- a week after Wrightson disembarked at Suez. Wrightson had 4 brothers Alfie, Ernie, Roy was KIA and Sydney in active service.
Photo Hindenburg Line, sourced AWM E03587

Information Source
AWM Embarkation Roll Harry Charles Wrightson
AWM E03587, photographer unknown, image sourced Pictorial Collection Australian War Memorial, https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/E03587/
Guildford Primary School Honour Roll
Guildford War Memorial
NAA: B2455, Wrightson H C
Wesley Chapel Honour Roll
Wise H. and Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA


Hubert St. Guildford. WA. and Kidman Ave, South Guildford.WA
 

Associated Images