Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Note- his full name was George Michael Davison Wright and it appears he preferred the use of the shortened version of George Wright. Additionally, the AWM Boer War Nominal Roll compiled by Murray and the original nominal roll of the 1st Queensland Contingent record his service number as 192, however, his discharge paper in his Boer War Dossier and his entry in the Boer War Service Paybooks record it as 191.

When George Wright enlisted in 1899 in the 1st QMI and his details were published with the rank and file in The Brisbane Courier, 18 Nov 1899, he was recorded as Farrier-Sergeant G. Wright, married, Mosman Street, Charters Towers. In the Boer War Service Paybooks for the 1st QMI, Bk 2 p. 116, it is noted he directed part of his pay to Mrs. G. Wright, c/- Johnson Shaw & Co., Mosman St., Charters Towers.

He served the full tour of the 1st QMI returning to Brisbane where he was discharged on 23 Jan 1901.

George Michael Davison Wright was born about 1867 in the county of Northumberland, England, a son to Thomas Wright and Ann Wright (nee Davison). He emigrated to Australia in his youth settling in Charters Towers where he plied the trade of farrier. He married Mary Marguariette Smith on 23 May 1899 at St. Paul's Church, Charters Towers, settling in Mosman St, and they had 5 children. 

After returning from the war he qualified as a mining engine driver working in a number of mines in Charters Towers. Working in the mines he contracted miner's Phthisis to which he succumbed in 1927. When he passed in 1927 an obituary was published in the local newspaper as transcribed below.

Personal (Obituary)- The Northern Miner (Charters Towers), 8 Jul 1927, p. 2.

The death occurred yesterday of another old and highly respected member of the community in the person of George Wright, who, for the past 40 years has been closely identified with the life of Charters Towers. A native of Northumberland, England, he came to Charters Towers as a youth, and for a time engaged in the craft of farrier. Then for a number of years he was employed by Mr. Fred. Johnson, and during this time military matters began to engage his attention. He joined up with the mounted infantry of the Defence Force, and when the Boer War broke out his military zeal earned him a commission as Farrier Sergeant, and he was authorised to recruit locally. Securing five other volunteers, they formed the first batch of six to leave Charters Towers for the war. After seeing considerable service, he returned home, when the South African situation had quietened, and qualified as a mining engine-driver. This post he filled in various mines, until he contracted miner's phthisis, which left him incapacitated. Some years ago he was compelled to give up work, and since that time he steadily declined. Deceased, who was 60 years of age, was for many years a member of the order of Druids. He leaves a wife and five children, the youngest of whom is a boy, aged 12 years.

(source- AWM Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray p. 453; National Archives Australia- Boer Wr Dossier; Qld State Archives- Boer War Service Paybooks 1st QMI, Bk 2 p. 116).