Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Ernest Gordon Wright, a native of South Australia, was born on June 29, 1894, and lived at 8 Prosser Avenue, Norwood. His early education took place at the East Adelaide Public School and Christian Brothers College in South Australia. Before embarking on his military journey, he pursued a career as an Engineer. Wright stood at a height of 5'6 with grey eyes, brown hair, and a weight of 104.7 pounds, when he was 20 years old. Earnest Gordon Wright completed tough military training in Morphettville, South Australia, refining his physical condition and combat ability. His training included marksmanship, tactics, and physical endurance, all of which were essential for the obstacles he would confront as a soldier during his duty. His father, Ernest Wright, was his next of kin. 

Ernest embarked on the war on the 20th of October 1914, a part of the 11th Field Artillery Brigade as a horse driver, after enlisting on the 20th of September 1914. Recruiting offices opened around Australia about a month before he enlisted, showing us that he was eager to join. Ernest boarded the HMAT A7 Medic, along with many other eager soldiers, on the 20th of October, to the 5th of December in 1914.

When Wright first arrived in Alexandria, he joined the M.E.F (Mediterranean Expeditionary Force). While Ernest was a part of the M.E.F., he travelled to Anzac Cove, where he fought a gruesome battle in one of the most infamous parts of World War 1, the Gallipoli Campaign on the 25th of April 1915, however, luckily Wright came out of it with no major injuries. Soldiers on both sides of the Gallipoli Campaign were subjected to hard circumstances, tough battles, and defensive warfare, resulting in heavy casualties and the evacuation of Allied forces from the peninsula. Ernest was absent with leave in Keitoun after the Gallipoli Campaign had ended, and there are no known repercussions for this action, leading us to believe that he was only gone for a short amount of time.

Over the course of Ernest’s time in the war, he switched between many different units, where he was forced to use numerous different weapons, including the 24th Howitzer Brigade, the 4th Field Artillery, and the most prominent one, the 11th Field Artillery Brigade, ultimately showing us that he was a very reliable, strong, and diverse soldier. During Wright's time in the war, his commitment to the AIF was significant to the ANZACs. He was promoted to a Temporary Sergeant, on the 20th of April 1916, and then a month later served in the 24th Field Artillery Brigade again, as an Acting Sergeant, potentially due to his extremely good behaviour, and commitment to the war. Acting Sergeant is a role that requires a mature, eligible, and sufficient soldier to take over as Sergeant if the original Sergeant is unable to do so. If the Sergeant of the particular unit was involved in a casualty or was necessary in another battalion, an acting Sergeant could be called upon.

Wright joined the B.E.F,  (the British Expeditionary Field,) which included going to northern France in order to support the left wing of French armies. While Ernest was in the B.E.F., he participated in the Third Battle of Ypres, where he acted as a Sergeant, providing leadership, training, and communication within his unit. The third Battle of Ypres is infamous for its extremely difficult and muddy terrain, as well as the tremendous deaths on both sides, however, Ernest came out unharmed. In “fig.2”, we see a map illustrating the results of the major battles comprising Third Ypres.

On the 19th of October 1917, just after the Third Battle of Ypres ended , Wright was detached to a Cadet Course at St John’s Wood, England, from Belgium, where he reported to a No. 1 R.F.C (Royale Flying Course) Officer, along with many other soldiers after the battle. These cadet courses were critical in preparing young men to become British Army officers. Cadets were taught military tactics, leadership, and other abilities required of commissioned officers. Again showing us that Ernest was a very devoted soldier, and cared deeply about serving in the War. He finished Cadet school on the 5th of April 1918 and switched between many Brigades as a Quarter Master Sergeant afterwards. Ernest was then detached to attend the Australian Corps Lewis Gun School in England on the 23rd of May 1918. The Lewis Gun School was a training institution where soldiers learnt how to handle and maintain the Lewis Gun, a light machine gun used during World War 1. These schools were critical in ensuring that troops could use this weapon efficiently on the battlefield.

Ernest's trip to Australia during the war began on October 3, 1918, when he left for home. On October 12, 1918, he boarded the HMT Prince George, which arrived in Southampton on October 13, 1918. Wright arrived back in Australia on the 23rd of October 1918. We can see that Ernest was a very committed soldier, being promoted to Sergeant numerous times, along with attending many schools in order to improve his skills  within the field. Due to his bravery, Ernest was awarded the renowned Croix de Guerre in Belgium as seen in “fig. 3”. This prestigious award was given to military soldiers for acts of courage that resulted in them being commemorated for their value and contributions throughout the war.

When Ernest Gordon Wright arrived back in Australia, he married his girlfriend, Catherine Wright, and continued his role as an engineer before returning to serve Australia during World War 2. Ernest held the rank of Sergeant and was eventually discharged on October 10, 1945. Ernest died on November 4th, 1965, at the age of 71, almost precisely 20 years after his participation in World War 2. His death's circumstances and location are unclear. However, we know he was laid to rest in South Australia's Centennial Park Cemetery, and his memory is honoured on the Norwood Primary School Honour Board and the Orroroo District Roll of Honour for World War 1. Ernest Gordon Wright's son, John Gordon Wright, petitioned for the Gallipoli Medallion on his father's behalf, recognising his father's service during the war. The Gallipoli Medallion was a prestigious award given to those who were recognised for their service during the Gallipoli Campaign.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

recordsearch.naa.gov.au. (n.d.). Session expired | RecordSearch | National Archives of Australia. [online] Available at: https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=3447865&isAv=N [Accessed 27 Sep. 2023].

vwma.org.au. (n.d.). Virtual War Memorial. [online] Available at: https://vwma.org.au/explore/campaigns/1.

www.aif.adfa.edu.au. (n.d.). Details. [online] Available at: https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=332908 [Accessed 27 Sep. 2023].

www.awm.gov.au. (n.d.). AWM4 Subclass 13/38 - Headquarters, 11th Australian Field Artillery Brigade. [online] Available at: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1338941 [Accessed 27 Sep. 2023].

www.awm.gov.au. (n.d.). Belgian Croix de Guerre 1915-18. [online] Available at: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C134646 [Accessed 27 Sep. 2023].

www.awm.gov.au. (n.d.). Sergeant Ernest Gordon Wright. [online] Available at: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P10807765 [Accessed 27 Se