A British Victory Medal correctly impressed 210101 Spr C E Wright RE
Comes with a printed out research write-up as below.
The medal, which is moderately patinated with some original finish, comes with an original length of silk ribbon, sewn at the top edge as worn. As it probably was put on by the man himself I have not tampered with it. I am happy to supply an additional length of modern ribbon upon request, but please tell me in advance of paying if so.
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210101 Spr Charles Edward Wright, Railway Troops, Royal Engineers.
Charles Edward Wright was a platelayer in civilian life. Born circa 1884/5, he was from King's Lynn. He attested his willingness to serve under the ‘Derby’ or ‘Groups’ Scheme of Deferred Enlistment on 10 December 1915 aged 31 years 10 months. He was married with four children born between 1909 (Henrietta Alice) and 1915 (Richard La Bassee). Charles was mobilised on 9 November 1916 and served as a Sapper under the Service Number 210101 with Royal Engineers, in the RE Railway Troops, working on railway construction.
Rail construction was considered a crucial role as rail was the principal means employed by the British Army to move the vast quantities of men, munitions and supplies required to fight a modern war, and expanding the rail network behind the British lines was rightly regarded as essential. The Railway Construction Companies' function therefore was to expand upon the remaining rail network still in Allied hands in France and Flanders. As well as laying freight and passenger track to this end, the work entailed bridge building, laying of spurs for railway guns, making sidings and constant repair and maintenance in the face of enemy shelling and aerial bombardment. At the peak of operations there were 45 standard gauge rail companies established and operating, most in France and Flanders, up from an establishment of five companies as at the outbreak of war. 180,000 men were enlisted into the Railways branch, of whom 40,000 were ex-railway employees.
Spr Wright went overseas 16-17 January 1917, most probably with the 269th Company, raised at Longmoor and itself going overseas on 17 January. "Once in France, the sappers would be assigned to a Construction Train, of which there were eight in operation in mid-1915. Each Construction Train would have a complement of up to two complete Railway Companies, with a Captain as officer commanding the train. This enabled the sappers to carry both themselves and all their necessary tools and equipment to and from wherever the next work was required. The Companies would pitch tents for accommodation, as required."
Wright was assessed as an efficient platelayer on joining. Whilst overseas he served with both the 269th Railway Company, Royal Engineers and the 263rd Company (which went overseas on 26 April 1917). He was stated in one source to be a boilermaker, but according to his service papers was rated a 'Superior' and then 'Very Superior' Platelayer, with the accompanying increases in Corps pay. In due course he also served under the revised RE number WR/261535.
After the war Sapper Wright was sent home for demobilisation 19 October 1919, being demobilised the following month. His military character was given as 'Very Good'. He made an application for a pension for Rheumatism, which was not successful. For his service he was entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medal, receiving them circa May 1922.
Illustration: France. c. 1918. British Army Royal Engineers building a new railway. (Donor British Official Photograph D360). Australian War Memorial image H08925
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