On the Chas Eagles / George Iceton memorial thread `Steve Mac` highlighted an old thread in relation to George Iceton.. That thread dealt with an original enquiry into 7 DLI soldiers whom are listed as died on 16th June 1940 ? I searched through the first six ..all listed Killed in Action . The seventh soldier WRIGHT .J.T. 4454326 is also listed as having been killed in action on 16th June 1940 the CWGC show him as being commemorated on the Dunkirk memorial. In 1940 this casualty list appears to confirm the death? Casualty List 269 31st July 1940. However an amended casualty list contradicts this listing him as wounded and a prisoner of war? In 1941 another casualty list records that Wright is indeed a PoW and the original entry listing him as killed should be deleted? I checked the Prisoner of War records and sure enough on two separate listings Wright is listed with an (early) PoW number of 68 at Stalag 344? and again? Then in 1945 the listing states Wright is no longer a PoW (liberated?) Any thoughts? I also found the birth of (a) John Thompson Wright South Shields 16th December 1920 died 1990 in Darlington ? The CWGC list him as aged 19 at the time of (their) recorded death which matches how old this lad would have been (if) when he died? Thanks Kyle
In the 1939 Register there is another possible Name: John T Wright Gender: Male Marital status: Single Birth Date: 2 Jul 1921 Residence Year: 1939 Address: 1 Third. Avenue Residence Place: Ashington, Northumberland, England Occupation: Colliery Transit Worker Below Makes him 18 in Jul 1939 - dont know if he would be too young or perhaps Name: John T Wright Jun Gender: Male Marital status: Single Birth Date: 24 Dec 1915 Residence Year: 1939 Address: 16 Residence Place: Consett, Durham, England Occupation: Coal Miner Ass SURVEYOR & Overman Un?? Obviously havent checked their death details yet but posting them to show that there could be others and I guess think about maybe work out a year of birth range. Where all those sent in DLI with the BEF regulars or not?, may help define their age/birth year Obviously service records would be nice but death details would be needed TD
Hello TD, He was listed as 6th DLI ,Territorials and the CWGC give his age as 19. The CWGC army number is consistant through all the documents? The Newcastle Journal 05 December 1940 lists him as wounded and a prisoner? Kyle
mmmmmm that's interesting. He is also recorded in the 'War Deaths (Army - Other Ranks) 1939 - 1948' register. Not sure what to suggest, there are too many potential births or deaths for the potential combination of first names, it is possible that he didn't come from the Durham area. Newspaper cutting for DLI, perhaps one in your list? I wonder if it is worth contacting the CWGC with your evidence - which seems pretty conclusive - and ask for their comments? Alternatively has anyone on here got the war diaries for that period?
Hi Tony, I think I can get hold of the war diary however the date given for his death by the CWGC has the 6th DLI back in the UK. The number 4454326 is from the DLI allocation for 1939. The 6th DLI recruited from the Bishop Auckland area of Co Durham (8th DLI Birtley/Chester le St 9th DLI Gateshead) I believe the records at least disprove a date of death in June 1940 ? I think I will bundle this off or I may just ring them first I would be interested in what they make of this? He features in the WW2 Book of remembrance in Durham Cathedral too ! Thanks Kyle
Possible bandsman & POW John Wright Checking the 1939 Register for John Wright with a wife Janet living in 'Great Barr' 1939 England and Wales Register Name: John S Wright Gender: Male Marital status: Married Birth Date: 15 Jan 1888 Residence Year: 1939 Address: 238a Residence Place: Lichfield, Staffordshire, England Occupation: Assistant Engineer & Electrical Schedule Number: 104 Sub Schedule Number: 1 Enumeration District: OTKI Registration district: 367/1 Inferred Spouse: Janet M Wright Middle initial is S, so I would guess that discounts him ? TD
Not thinking straight here - The John S Wright above was born in 1888, so maybe its his son and the mother Janet Name: John D A Wright Gender: Male Marital status: Single Birth Date: 20 Aug 1920 Residence Year: 1939 Address: 238a Residence Place: Lichfield, Staffordshire, England Occupation: Public Works Construction Clerk Schedule Number: 104 Sub Schedule Number: 3 Enumeration District: OTKI Registration district: 367/1 Inferred Father: John S Wright Inferred Mother: Janet M Wright Having said that the man in the photo purportedly John Wright looks a lot older than someone born in 1920 and younger than someone born in 1888, however the toll imprisonment is unknown Sorry - that seems to confuse even further TD
British Army WWI Pension Records 1914-1920 Name: John Thompson Wright Birth Date: 16 Sep 1908 Birth Place: Bangalore Document Year: 1898 Relationship to Soldier: Child Form Title: Military History Sheet Number of Images: 14 Other Records: Family Members: Name Relation to Soldier John Wright Self (Head) Mabel Audeley Frost Spouse Mabel Audrey Wright Child John Thompson Wright Child George Henry Wright Child Bertha Margaret Wright Child Having grown up this J T Wright might have joined the military directly TD
England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007 Name: John Thompson Wright Death Age: 77 Birth Date: 17 Sep 1908 Registration Date: Jul 1986 Registration district: Chester and ellesmere Port Inferred County: Cheshire Volume: 35 Page: 62 You right Mr Tony TD
1939 REGISTER TRANSCRIPTION Wright Household (3 People) Oak Dene, Chester Road, Ellesmere Port U.D., Cheshire NAME - DOB - OCCUPATION John T Wright - 17 Sep 1908 - Builders Joiner By Trade Dorothy Wright - 01 Dec 1910 - Unpaid Domestic Duties John T Wright - 02 Jun 1939 - Under School Age
Hello All, First may I thank you all for the input on this thread your research skills are very much appreciated and your concern to rectify a possible error is a credit to you all in the search for the truth....unlike the CWGC who once again give the impression that `its too much bother` Tonight I received this email from Jim (verrieres) in regard to his CWGC enquiry it is ..well..its.... CWGC;- Frustrating (I think Jim can be prompted to get these service records it will eat him away otherwise ) Kyle
Afternoon Kyle, I wonder if there is anything in the local press from this time. Presumably, Pte. Wright’s next of kin would have received an MoD telegram notifying his death and then another correcting this misinformation. These sort of things were reported in the local newspapers, for example, ‘X’ of St James Road, who was reported missing in action on 16 June 1940, is now reported prisoner of war. His parents Jack and Jill are delighted with this news. These articles were usually accompanied by a photograph of the serviceman/woman concerned. Have you checked local newspaper sources? Best, Steve.
Good Afternoon Steve, Steve, Thompson was his middle name ie John Thompson Wright. I did do a search but I couldn`t find a definite match ? Plenty of J.T.Wright`s I will search again for other spellings such as Thomson Wright and see it that brings anything up? I did find a published casualty list listing him as `wounded and a prisoner` but those would have been taken from the War Office listings I put up in post one? I will look again.Thanks Kyle
I wonder if Mr Wright knew he was officially dead? How did he obtain his service pension? Did his wife get a widows pension? So many unanswered questions...