BORN HULL 1893. SON OF EDWIN WRIGHT AND OLIVE ELIZABETH ADDISON (1855–1942), OF THWAITE GARDENS, COTTINGHAM (PENSION ADDRESS). A GARDENER AT THWAITE HOUSE WITH HIS FATHER. HE HAD TWO BROTHERS AND TWO SISTERS.
HE ENLISTED IN HULL. FORMERLY, PRIVATE, 403, EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT. SERVED AS A SERGEANT IN THE MACHINE GUN CORPS. DROWNED, ON 27/05/1918, AGED 25, WITH THE SINKING OF THE TRANSPORT SHIP “LEASOW CASTLE”. HE IS COMMEMORATED ON THE CHATBY MEMORIAL, EGYPT.
H.M.T. “Leasowe Castle” was torpedoed on the starboard side by German submarine UB51 at 0130 on 27 May 1918, with the loss of 93 lives. She was travelling in a convoy 104 miles north-west of Alexandria and sank within 90 minutes. Over 2,800 men survived the sinking by taking to life rafts, lifeboats, the Japanese destroyer “R” and H.M. Sloop “Lily”. Suddenly about 3.00 am. a bulkhead in the aft part of the ship gave way, and with a loud noise the “Leasowe Castle” sank rapidly. The “Lily” had a narrow escape, as the hawsers connecting her with the sinking ship were cut with an axe just in time. Most of the remaining men on board were carried down with the ship and not a single body was picked up. The dead included the ships Captain, the O.C. Troops and his adjutant, who were organising the evacuation.
