Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Private R. E. C. Wright, 11th Hussars, late 2nd Dragoon Guards, who was taken P.O.W. in August 1914

1914 Star, with clasp (3784 Pte., 11/Hrs.); British War and Victory Medals (3784 Pte., 11-Hrs.), good very fine (3)
£200-250

Robert Elliston Charles Wright was born in Westley, Suffolk in 1877, and originally attested for the 2nd Dragoon Guards in London in September 1902, but was discharged by purchase in July 1907. Having then found life as a footman not to his liking, he attested for the 11th Hussars in January 1909, in which regiment he completed his time and was placed on the Army Reserve in January 1914. Recalled on the outbreak of hostilities in August, he was embarked with the 11th Hussars for France on the 15th, and reported missing at Angre ten days later. In fact, as a result of a horse kick, Wright had been hospitalised at St. Quentin, his injuries including a fractured right arm, and he was taken P.O.W. there on the 27th. On attending a Medical Board after his repatriation at the War’s end, he was found to weigh 130lbs. ‘in shirt, trousers and boots’ - the result, he stated, of being hard worked, poorly fed and ill-treated during his four years in captivity at Sennelager. Awarded a disability pension, he was discharged in April 1919, his intended place of residence being Kessingland, near Lowestoft, Suffolk; sold with brief research.