TOPIC:

In St Peter & St Paul's Church, Bolton-by-Bowland, Lancashire, although the church and village were in the West Riding of Yorkshire when the memorial was installed. It could do with a polish.







....From the list of casualties reported at attack on Enslin on December 7, it was seen that Private (3,653) T. Parkinson, of the 12th Lancers, along with Lieutenant G. C. De C. Wright, were slightly wounded.
Burnley Express, Wednesday 13th December 1899


....Lieutenant G. C. de C. Wright, 12th Lancers, who was yesterday reported as having been killed in the engagement at Diamond Hill on June 11th, is a son of Mr. C. B. E. Wright, of Bolton Hall, Bolton-by-Bowland. The unfortunate young man was slightly wounded in the earlier operations of the war.
Burnley Express, Saturday 23rd June 1900


....Mr Nesfield's many friends will regret to learn of the death of his nephew at the front, Lieut. Wright of the 12th Lancers, who was killed in the Diamond Hill engagement.
The Derbyshire Times, Saturday 23rd June 1900


....The late Lieut. G. C. de C. Wright, of the 12th Lancers, whose death in the Diamond Hill engagement I referred to last week, was a grandson of Mr R. W. M. Nesfield, and not, as by an oversight it appeared last week, a nephew. He was the elder son of Mr C. B. E. Wright, of Bolton Hatt, Clitheroe, and late Master of the Badsworth Foxhounds. During his father's mastership, Mr Godfrey Wright and his brother and sisters were regular followers of the hunt during their vacation times and were well liked all over the country, where the deepest sympathy is now felt for the bereaved family and especially in the case of Mrs Wright, who is an invalid, as the result of a hunting accident some years ago. I understand that Mr Nesfield on learning the sad news journeyed to Clitheroe to personally convey his condolences.
The Derbyshire Times, Saturday 30th June 1900


....The annual school treat, festival and athletic sports, which have been held from time immemorial on June 29th, at Bolton-by-Bowland, have this year been postponed owing to Lieut. G. C. de C. Wright having been killed in the fight at Diamond Hill near Pretoria. Lieut. Wright was the eldest son and heir of Mr. C. B. E. Wright, of Bolton Hall, and practically the whole of the village is included in the estate.
Burnley Express, Saturday 30th June 1900


. ....A correspondent writes:—Though as far back as June 11 the news was telegraphed of the death of Godfrey de C. Wright, of the 12th Royal Lancers, no full particulars have been received by his father, except the bare fact that he fell with his commanding officer, the Earl of Airlie, at Diamond Hill, outside Pretoria. He was the eldest son of Mr. C. B. E. Wright, of Bolton Hall, Yorkshire, one of the best known and most popular masters of hounds in England, who is at present hunting the Fitzwilliam Hounds, under the Mastership of Mr. George Fitzwilliam. So many brave officers and men have been killed and wounded during this long war that many of your readers may have forgotten that Godfrey Wnght was wounded at Enslin, on Lord Methuen's line of communication. The bullet went through his thigh. The wound was not severe, and in three weeks he was again fit for duty. He preserved the bullet, which was a joke amongst his brother officers till they knew he was keeping it to bring home as a relic to his father. It was in Yorkshire that he was when on leave best known. His early days were spent in the Badsworth country, where his father was for 18 years Master. He went direct from Eton to Sandhurst Military College. He was a young officer from whom great things were justifiably expected, and the Earl of Airiie was well-known to entertain the highest opinion of his young Lieutenant, who was appointed at an early period acting Adjutant of the 12th Lancers. He was exceptionally keen on his work, and most popular with everyone who knew him. At the time he was first wounded his regiment was going to the assistance of the Northamptonshire Regiment. This took place on the 7th December, 1899. He afterwards was present with his regiment at the Relief of Kimberley, and the squadron young Wright commanded was mentioned as being first across the Reit River. Afterwards he took part in the battles of Osfontein. Driefontein, the capture of Bloemfontein, and subsequently the battle of Brandfort, and the capture of Pretoria. This brave young officer was with his regiment in the thick of all the engagements, and at the early age of 27 nobly met his death fighting for his Quee. Amongst his other accomplishments he was a most promising coachman. At the age of 23 he was deputed to choose the horses and drive the regimental coach to Ascot Races. This he did without a mishap. Mr. and Mrs. Wright have the deepest sympathy of a very large circle of friends, both rich and poor. Indeed, it may truly be said, that young Godfrey Wright was a man the army and Yorkshire can ill afford to lose.
The Sheffield Daily Telegraph, Friday 13th July 1900


He's also remembered on the Eton College memorial.
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www.angloboerwar.com/forum/17-memorials-...l-eton?start=6#58056

Below is a photographic postcard, produced at the time of the unveiling of the Bolton-by-Bowland memorial.

According to the Northampton Mercury of 27 Feb 1903, Lieutenant de Cardonnel Wright's name was also to be inscribed on the ABW memorial in Peterborough Cathedral.







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Here are photos the Diamond Hill memorial and a close up of the relevant panel. Wright's name is about halfway down on the right on the memorial and at the bottom right of the close up. No grave marker survives.