Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

James Frederick Wright was born Kirkcudbright Scotland, 1884 he lived with his grandfather James who was a farmer. The British empire took military action known as the Boer War, James was just of age enlisted and served his time as a Private in Rhodesia ensure supplies reach the frontlines. After the campaign James decided to immigrate to Australia settling in the Port Fairy District of Victoria.

He worked in the print industry and following the assignation of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria war followed. James responds to the call of his new country enlisted in the AIF assigned to the Light Trench Mortar Brigade. (LTMB) on the 1st of March 1915 (service number 2057).

Private James Frederick Wright left Australia with many other soldiers leaving Australian shores on the 16th July 1915 on the troop ship Demosthenes. Some weeks later the military force arrived at Alexandria on the 18th October 1915, where they undertook training.

On the 1st of November 1915, he was reassigned to the Greek Island of Lemnos attached to the 5th Battalion. On the 11th December, he arrived at Anzac Cove where he assisted with the preparation for evacuation of Anzac troops from Gallipoli. He returned to the Island of Lemnos on the 15the December 1915 and reassigned to the 58th Battalion disembarking from the troop ship “Empress of Britain in Alexandria on the 7the January 1916.

On return to Egypt James suffered blood poisoning and was hospitalized on the 18th February 1916 he was transferred along with the 58th to England on the troop ship “Aragon” on the he was admitted to Lark Hill hospital on the 27th July 1916 remaining there until the 30th July when he was discharged and traveled to Dunkirk Estaples marching to finally rejoining the 15th LTMB of the 58th Battalion on the 10th November 1916.

On returning to his Battalion he was informed that during the battle of Fromelles on 19 July 1916 all but nine of his LTMB had been either killed or wounded in the action at. He was reassigned to be a runner for Battalion HQ passing coordinates and messages to other LTMB’s as the frontline.
Over the next year and a half the battalion saw service in the trenches along the Western Front in Belgium, France, and Flanders, taking part in actions at Bullecourt, Polygon Wood, Villers–Bretonneux and along the St Quentin Canal.
It was during heavy fighting around Beaurevoir (France) in late September and into early October 1918 when the Australians undertook operations to penetrate the German defense’s along the Hindenburg Line.

During these attacks, his commanding officer reported that Private WRIGHT J. had acted as a runner between Battery Headquarters and our detachments in the front line. Early on the morning of the 26th inst., while taking a message forward he was slightly gassed. He, however, remained on duty refusing to go to the Dressing Station until the Brigade was relieved on the night of the 27th inst. During the attack on the 26th inst. and the day following the attack Private WRIGHT's services were most valuable, not only did he take his messages forward through the heaviest barrages by the German artillery, but on four occasions, when returning to Battery headquarters, brought back wounded men with him. He set a splendid example of devotion to duty.'

Private Wright was awarded the “King George Military Medal for Bravery in the Field”.

On the 8th February 1919 after the battle Private Wright suffering from gas, contracted influenza and was repatriated back to England. Following the intervention of the Australian Prime Minister the ANZACS were relieved after nearly four continuous years of fighting the enemy. Private Wright was treated as a casualty of the war and returned tor Australia on the troop carried Kaledonian Castle arriving in Melbourne aboard 2/5/1919. James was demobilized on the 6th of October 1919.
James took up a soldier settlement in Redcliffs, Victoria with his wife Fanny and four children but struggled to make a living for the next few years.

At the outbreak of World War 2 James again enlisted for overseas service on the 9th October 1939, however, was considered unfit due to lung damage from his mustard gas injuries in France during WW1.

Private James Wright was promoted to Corporal and served his time out at Victoria Barracks Melbourne providing homeland security. He remained in the army until he was discharged medically unfit 1st of July 1944.

He was awarded

WW1 1914-1919,the 1914-15 Star (with clasp) , Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal, British War medal and the Gallipoli Medallion

WW11 1939-1945, Australian Service Medal.

As his Grandson, my family and I are proud of Corporal James Wright’s service to our country and all other soldiers who served through the WW1 - War to end all Wars, the 2nd World War and more recent engagements to protect our way of life and freedoms.

James Frederick Wright was born Kirkcubright Scotland, 1884 he lived with his grandfather James who was a farmer. The British empire took military action known as the Boer War, James just of age enlisted and served his time as a Private in Rhodesia ensure supplies reach the frontlines. After the campaign James decided to emigrate to Australia living in the Port Fairy District of Victoria. He worked in the print industry and as the events in Europe unfolded he responded to the call of his new country and enlisted in the AIF assigned to the Light Trench Mortar Brigade.(LTMB) He left Australia with many other soldiers 16/07/15 on the troop ship Demonsthenes they arrived at Alexandria and I understand that his brigade assisted with the fall back at ANZAC cove and later his LTMB then were assigned to the western front in France. For the next two and a half years the brigade saw service in the trenches along the Western Front in France and Flanders, taking part in actions at Bullecourt, Polygon Wood, Villers–Bretonneux and along the St Quentin Canal. It was during It was during heavy fighting around Beaurevoir in late September and into early October 1918 when the Australians undertook operations to penetrate the German defences along the Hindenburg Line. During these attacks, his commanding officer reported that Private WRIGHT J. acted as runner between Battery Headquarters and our detachments in the front line. Early on the morning of the 26th inst., while taking a message forward he was slightly gassed. He, however, remained on duty refusing to go to the Dressing Station until the Brigade was relieved on the night of the 27th inst. During the attack on the 26th inst. and the day following the attack Private WRIGHT's services were most valuable, not only did he take his messages forward through the heaviest barrages, but on four occasions, when returning to Battery headquarters, brought back wounded men with him. He set a splendid example of devotion to duty.'

Private Wright was awarded the King George Military Medal for Bravery. SOmetime after this battle Private Wright suffering from gas, also came down with influenza and was repatriated back to Australia arriving in Melbourne aboard the troop carried Kaledonian Castle. He took up a soldier settlement in Redcliffs with his wife and children and struggled making a living for the next few years. At the outbreak of World War 2 he again enlisted but was consider unfit due to lung damage from his time in France that he served his time out at Victoria Barracks Melbourne providing homeland security. He remain in the army until he was discharged medically unfit some years later.

He was awarded 1914-15 Start, Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal, War medal 1939-1945 and the Australian Service Medal.

As his Grandson I am proud of his and all other soldiers who served through the War to end all Wars.