Peter Harold Wright

Peter Harold Wright

Peter Wright c.1945
Born (1916-08-10)10 August 1916
Mettingham, Suffolk
Died 5 April 1990(1990-04-05) (aged 73)
Ipswich, Suffolk
Buried at All Saints Churchyard, Ashbocking
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch  British Army
Years of service 1936–1945
Rank Company Sergeant Major
Unit Coldstream Guards
Battles/wars Second World War
Awards Victoria Cross
Other work Farmer

Peter Harold Wright VC (10 August 1916 – 5 April 1990) was an English 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.

Details

Wright was 27 years old, and a company sergeant major in the 3rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards, British Army during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 25 September 1943 near Salerno, Italy, a steep, wooded hill was being assaulted by the 3rd Bn. Coldstream Guards, and Company Sergeant Major Wright's company, most of its officers killed, was held up near the crest. Sergeant Major Wright took charge and single-handed he silenced with grenades and bayonet three Spandau posts and then led his men to consolidate the position. He then beat off a counter-attack, and disregarding the heavy fire, brought up extra ammunition.[1]

Wright's Distinguished Conduct Medal was substituted for the VC on the instructions of King George VI.[2]

Wright was born in Mettingham, near Bungay in Suffolk on 10 August 1916. In 1946, he married Mollie Hurren from Wenhaston, Suffolk, and died in Ipswich on 5 April 1990.

After the war Wright farmed at Church Farm at Blythburgh, Suffolk.

References

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