WRIGHT, Charles
| Service Number: | 825 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 18 August 1914, Enlisted at Bendigo, Victoria |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 7th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, October 1893 |
| Home Town: | Bendigo, Greater Bendigo, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Bendigo East School, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Carpenter |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Gallipoli, Turkey, 25 April 1915 |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Panel 30, Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli Peninsula, Canakkale Province, Turkey |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Bendigo East Bendigo School Memorial Plaques, Bendigo Great War Roll of Honor, Lone Pine Memorial to the Missing |
World War 1 Service
| 18 Aug 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 825, Enlisted at Bendigo, Victoria | |
|---|---|---|
| 19 Oct 1914: | Involvement Private, 825, 7th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '9' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Hororata embarkation_ship_number: A20 public_note: '' | |
| 19 Oct 1914: | Embarked Private, 825, 7th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Hororata, Melbourne | |
| 25 Apr 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 825, 7th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli, Killed in action |
Help us honour Charles Wright's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Steve Larkins
Son of Alvah and Grace Wright of Charleston Roaad, Bendigo, Victoria
Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Biography contributed by Robert Wight
From the "Bendigonian", Thursday 2 May 1918 page 7:
"WRIGHT.--- In memory of our dearly loved son, Private Charles Wright (Mack), killed at the Gallipoli landing, 25th April, 1915. One of the best, a loving son, A brother kind and true; So dearly loved, so sadly missed. By everyone he knew. ---Inserted by his loving mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. Alvah Wright. WRIGHT.--- In loving memory of our dear brother (Mack), Private C. J. Wright, killed in action at Gallipoli, 25th April 1915. He sleeps not in his native land, But under foreign skies, Far, far from those who loved him, in a hero's grave he lies. --- Inserted by Son and Agnes. For Freedom's Cause."
"IN MEMORIAM. WRIGHT.--- In loving memory of our dear brother Pte. C. J. Wright, who was killed at the landing at Gallipoli, 25th April, 1915. Some time, some day our eyes shall see That dear face we hold in memory; And Christ shall link the broken chain Still closer when we meet again. --- Inserted by his loving sister and brother-in- law, E. and L. Swift."
Biography contributed by Larna Malone
Charles Julian Wright was born in Bendigo, the son of Alvah & Sarah Ann Wright. His mother was deceased and he stated that he was the stepson of Grace Wright. The family address was “Gamlingay”, 55 Charleston Rd, Bendigo. Charles was a Carpenter, working with his father. He had previously served with 8 AIR.
Charles Wright was 21 years old when he enlisted on 18.8.14. He was amongst the early volunteers for the WW1 Expeditionary Force, and he left Bendigo for the Broadmeadows Camp the next day. He was allotted Service no. 825 and appointed to ‘G’ Company, 7th Battalion. Prior to embarkation he was entertained by his friends and presented with a Gold band ring and smoker’s outfit.
The 7th Battalion left Broadmeadows Camp on 18 October, 1914, and embarked for service overseas on board HMAT ‘Hororata’. Arriving in Egypt the battalion moved into camp at Mena, at the foot of the pyramids. (6/12/14)
In January, 1915, the Australian force was re-organized. In the 7th Battalion ‘G’ and ‘H’ Companies joined to form the new ‘D’ Company. This meant that all the men from Northern Victoria were together in one Company. Charles Wright was in 13th Platoon, ‘D’ Company, after the 1915 re-organization.
The 7th Battalion was part of the force which landed at Anzac Cove on 25th April, 1915. Charles Wright was KIA on the day of the Landing. An advance line succeeded in keeping the Turks back on Third Ridge until late in the afternoon. Retreating at last, they were overrun by the Turks. Many of these men were later reported ‘Missing’. Charles Wright was later re-classified, but it was not until a Board of Enquiry, held on 24/9/17, finally determined “Previously reported Wounded and Missing now reported Killed in Action”.
His body was never found and he has no known grave. His name was recorded on the Lone Pine Memorial.
“The First Lot. 7th Battalion. The first men of the Bendigo district to volunteer for service in the First World War.”: Larna Malone
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