Wallace Duffield Wright
| Wallace Duffield Wright | |
|---|---|
The grave of Wallace Duffield Wright in Brookwood Cemetery
|
|
| Born |
20 September 1875 Gibraltar |
| Died | 25 March 1953 (aged 77) Chobham, Surrey |
| Buried at | Brookwood Cemetery (51°17′59″N 0°37′44″W / 51.299790°N 0.629019°W) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army |
| Years of service | 1896–1940 |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Unit |
Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) Northern Nigeria Regiment (attached) Home Guard |
| Commands held | 8th Infantry Brigade |
| Battles/wars |
Malakand Frontier War Tirah Campaign Kano-Sokoto Expedition First World War Second World War |
| Awards |
Victoria Cross Companion of the Order of the Bath Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George Distinguished Service Order Mentioned in Despatches Officer of the Legion of Honour (France) |
| Other work | Member of Parliament (Conservative Party) |
Brigadier General Wallace Duffield Wright VC, CB, CMG, DSO (20 September 1875 – 25 March 1953) was a British soldier and politician. He was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Wright was 27 years old, and a lieutenant in the 1st Battalion Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) attached to the Northern Nigeria Regiment, during the Kano-Sokoto Expedition.
On 26 February 1903 in Nigeria, "Lieutenant Wright, with only one [other] Officer and 44 men took up a position in the path of the advancing enemy sustained the determined charges of 1,000 Horse and 2,000 Foot for two hours and when the enemy, after heavy losses, fell back in good order, Lieutenant Wright continued to follow them up until they were in full retreat.
The personal example of this Officer, as well as his skillful leadership, contributed largely to the brilliant success of the affair.
He in no way infringed his orders by his daring initiative, as, though warned of the possibility of meeting large bodies of the enemy, he had purposely been left a free hand."
In 1928, Wright was elected at a by-election as Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) for following the death of the sitting MP Philip Kenyon-Slaney. He was re-elected at the 1929 general election, but stood down at the 1931 general election.
...
Wikipedia