Military Service from 24 June 1916 to 22 March 1919
Egypt and the Middle East Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
Notes: He served as a Private during World War 1, enlisting in Birmingham on 24th June 1916 and was assigned in January 1917 initially in a training battalion (regt. number 719021). The timing of his enlistment suggests that he was conscripted.
He transferred on March 1917 to the D.C.L.I. (Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry) (regt. number 33624) as part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force and served in the Middle East (with some bouts of illness, such as 'Sandfly Fever' and 'Debility') until September 1918.
On 22nd March 1919, he was transferred to the Army Reserve on Demobilization.
He applied in late 1919 (aged 32) for a pension on the grounds of his 'Debility', and stated: "Is generally quite weak and nervous and has pains in back." However, the Medical Board found that he had no disability, although he'd lost a little weight since enlistment and his GPC (General Physical Condition) was Poor. They rejected his claim for a pension.6,7
Physical Description 29 July 1916 (age 27)
On military medical examination
Notes: Height: 5 feet 2 inches Weight: 105lbs Chest girth: 32 1/2" with 2" expansion Physical development: Good Pulse rate: Normal Vision 6/6 in both eyes Passed fit for General Service6
[S19] 1901 census of England, Worcester, Kings Norton, Kings Heath, Stanley Wright; digital image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 07 September 2016); citing Class: RG13; Piece: 2806; Folio: 118; Page: 38.
[S56] 1891 census of England, Staffordshire, Burton-upon-Trent, Stapenhill, Stanley Wright; digital image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 5 October 2016); citing Class: RG12; Piece: 2199; Folio: 151; Page: 27.
[S63] 1911 census of England, Warwickshire, Yardley, James Docker; digital image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 6 October 2016); citing Class: RG14; Piece: 18679; Schedule Number: 181.
[S78] 1939 National Register of England, Birmingham C.B., Warwickshire, 4 Inglewood Road, John W. Wright; digital image, Findmypast (http://www.findmypast.co.uk: accessed 16 October 2016) Ref: RG101/5579D/012/29 Letter Code: QBMR
[S74] "British Army Service Records 1914-1920," online images, Findmypast, (http://www.findmypast.co.uk : accessed 17 October 2016), entry for John William Wright born 1887 Service citing War Office: Soldiers' Documents from Pension Claims, First World War (Microfilm Copies), WO 364. The National Archives, Kew, London.
[S73] Staffordshire, England. "The Staffordshire Advertiser" 27 October 1927 (digital images), Findmypast (https://findmypast.co.uk, accessed: 16 October 2016), page 7, column 2, headed Lichfield.
[S9] ancestry.co.uk, Midlands, England, Electoral Registers, 1932-1955. Digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 30 August 2016) citing Midlands Historical Data. Midlands Electoral Rolls 1832-1955. Midlands Historical Data, Solihull, West Midlands.