Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Private G. E. Wright, 8th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, killed in action, 7 July 1916
1914-15 Star (11430 Pte., R. Fus.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (GS-11430 Pte., R. Fus.)

Victory Medal 1914-19 (C-361 Pte. D. N. Wain, K.R. Rif. C.) good very fine (3) £70-90

George Wright was the son of John Wright of 45, Lawrence Avenue, Manor Park, Essex and the late Jane Wright; he landed in Gallipoli on 26 May 1915 as reinforcement to the 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers. The Battalion were continually engaged in battle and by the end of September out of the original strength that landed, 279 had been killed, 954 wounded and 103 were missing. Wright survived, returned home and was posted to the 8th Battalion. On 7 July 1916, during the Battle of the Somme, the battalion attacked Ovillers. The Battalion carried the first three lines of the German defence but were then forced back to consolidate on the former second German line. In this attack the Battalion lost 640 casualties and included in this number was Private George Wright. His body was not recovered and his name is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial.

David N. Wain was born in Loughborough, Leicester. He joined the Army at Leicester on 19 September 1914 and landed in France with the 16th Battalion K.R.R.C on 16 November 1915 so qualifying for the 1914-15 Star. As part of the 100th Brigade 33rd Division the Battalion moved to the area of Flatiron Copse and on 15 July attacked High Wood. The trees of High Wood itself hid many German sharp shooters and not one inch between the Wood and the Bazentin Village was safe. By 1000hrs the attack was held up and the 16th K.R.R.C. had lost nearly all their officers. General Baird wrote of his Brigade “That it had behaved with the greatest gallantry. The slopes lying to the West of Marinpulch and High Wood were a grim slaughterhouse. Dead, dying and wounded lay thickly upon the blood stained turf.” From 15-22 July the Brigade lost 18 Officers and 247 Other Ranks killed and 58 Officers and 1,023 Other Ranks wounded. Among the wounded was Private David Wain who died of his wounds on 21 July 1916. He was buried in the Albert Communal Cemetery Extension. He was the son of Thomas Potter and Lillian Wain of 1 Chestnut Street, Loughborough. Both with copied research.