Theodore Wright
Encyclopedia
Theodore Wright VC
(15 May 1883 - 14 September 1914) was an English
recipient of the Victoria Cross
, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British
and Commonwealth
forces.
during the First World War
when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 23 August 1914 at Jemappes
, Mons
, Belgium
, Captain Wright, along with Lance-Corporal Charles Jarvis, tried to connect up the lead to demolish a bridge, under heavy fire and although wounded in the head, he made a second attempt. At Vailly, France, on 14 September he assisted the passage of the 5th Cavalry Brigade over the pontoon bridge and was mortally wounded whilst helping a wounded man into shelter.
and the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich
.
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
(15 May 1883 - 14 September 1914) was an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
recipient of the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
forces.
Details
He was thirty one years old, and a captain in the 57th Field Company, Corps of Royal Engineers, British ArmyBritish Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
during the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 23 August 1914 at Jemappes
Jemappes
Jemappes is a Walloon town in south-western Belgium, province Hainaut. Since 1976, it is part of the city Mons...
, Mons
Mons
Mons is a Walloon city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Hainaut, of which it is the capital. The Mons municipality includes the old communes of Cuesmes, Flénu, Ghlin, Hyon, Nimy, Obourg, Baudour , Jemappes, Ciply, Harmignies, Harveng, Havré, Maisières, Mesvin, Nouvelles,...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, Captain Wright, along with Lance-Corporal Charles Jarvis, tried to connect up the lead to demolish a bridge, under heavy fire and although wounded in the head, he made a second attempt. At Vailly, France, on 14 September he assisted the passage of the 5th Cavalry Brigade over the pontoon bridge and was mortally wounded whilst helping a wounded man into shelter.
Further information
He was born at Brighton, and received his education from Clifton CollegeClifton College
Clifton College is a co-educational independent school in Clifton, Bristol, England, founded in 1862. In its early years it was notable for emphasising science in the curriculum, and for being less concerned with social elitism, e.g. by admitting day-boys on equal terms and providing a dedicated...
and the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich
Woolwich
Woolwich is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.Woolwich formed part of Kent until 1889 when the County of London was created...
.
External links
- Royal Engineers Museum Sappers VCs
- Captain Theodore Wright (biography)
- Burial location of Theodore Wright "France}
- Location of Theodore Wright's Victoria Cross "Royal Engineers Museum"
- News item "Theodore Wright's Victoria Cross donated to the Royal Engineers Museum"