Robert Wright likeness

Robert Wright cap badgePrivate Robert Wright

2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers
Service No: 6846

Robert Wright grave

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Personal details

Family Information

Son of Robert Wright and Annie Wright of 7b Muiryhall St, Coatbridge. In his Will dated 02/06/1915 Robert left all his money to his mother. He ended by saying "God be with us till we meet again". From the 1901 Census - Address - 2 Iron Work Square, Gartcosh, Lanarkshire - Robert Wright aged 32, Annie Wright aged 31, James Wright aged 7, Robert Wright aged 4, William Wright aged 1, Robert's uncle John Wright aged 26. Robert's Pension was awarded to his mother Annie on the 23/03/1917.

Born / Resided

Gartcosh / 7b Muiryhall St, Coatbridge

Died

Died of Wounds on the 29/09/1915 from shell wounds to the arm, side and head at the No.4 Field Ambulance. Wounds received at the Battle of Loos

Enlisted

Hamilton

Employed

Tinplate Iron Works

Age

18

Buried / Remembered

Vermelles British Cemetery (I. H. 38), Pas de Calais, France

Cemetery / Memorial Information

Vermelles was in German hands from the middle of October 1914 to the beginning of December 1914, when it was recaptured by the French. The cemetery was begun in August 1915 (though a few graves are slightly earlier), and during the Battle of Loos, when the Chateau was used as a dressing station, Plot I was completed. It was laid out and fenced by the Pioneers of the 1st Gloucesters, and known for a long time as "Gloucester Graveyard". The remaining Plots were made by the Divisions (from the Dismounted Cavalry Division onwards) holding the line 1.6 kilometres East of the cemetery until April 1917, and they incorporated a few isolated French graves of October 1914. From April 1917, to the Armistice, the cemetery was closed; but after the Armistice some graves were re-grouped and others were brought in (to Plots II, IV and VI) from the battlefields to the East. There are now over 2134 First World War casualties commemorated in this cemetery. Of these, 198 are unidentified and special memorials are erected to six soldiers from the United Kingdom, known to be buried among them. This cemetery also contains the graves of 11 casualties of other nationalities.

Additional Information

The Battalion arrived at Zeebrugge on the 06/10/1914 and were part of the 21st Brigade, 7th Division. Robert was in his trench when a shell burst above him causing a total of 8 wounds, 4 in the arm, 3 on his left side and 1 in the head. He was bandaged and taken care of until it was possible to get him to Hospital. He died that evening of his wounds. The Battle of Loos, 29th September 1915 : Desperate fighting continues in the Hohenzollern Redoubt. Units of 22nd Brigade of 7th Division are finally relieved in front of the Quarries. A night attack by the enemy causes a loss of parts of Gun Trench from this Division. Formations in the Loos area consolidate their positions; 21st and 24th Divisions prepare to withdraw. 142nd Brigade of 47th Division relieves 3rd Guards Brigade in Loos and on Hill 70. Germans shell the village with 8-inch gun. Robert was 1 of 99 men from the Coatbridge Memorial who fell during and from injuries from the Battle of Loos. See Newspaper clippings for letter sent home to Robert's mother by Sergeant H Sparkin of his Company. Robert is also remembered on the Gartcosh War Memorial. (This Memorial was erected in 2014. The original Roll of Honour did NOT list Robert. The new Memorial does although his name is partially covered by a wreath in the photo) and on Coatbridge Baptist Church Roll of Honour (see photos). See photos for Robert's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clippings x 4, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report x 2, Vermelles British Cemetery, Robert's Pension Records x 2 and the Royal Scots Fusiliers Cap Badge. Robert's grave inscription reads "IN MEMORY OF OUR DEAR SON".

Photos
Robert Wright Medal Index CardRobert Wright newspaper clippingRobert Wright newspaper clippingRobert Wright newspaper clippingRobert Wright remembered at homeRobert Wright remembered at homeRobert Wright remembered at homeRobert Wright remembered at homeRobert Wright additional photoRobert Wright additional photoRobert Wright additional photoRobert Wright additional photoRobert Wright additional photoRobert Wright additional photoRobert Wright additional photoRobert Wright additional photoRobert Wright additional photoRobert Wright additional photo

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