Brigadier General Wallace D Wright VC

Wallace Duffield Wright VC (1875-1953)

Wallace Duffield Wright was born in Gibraltar in 1875. He served in the Northern Nigeria Regiment. In March 1903, Lieutenant Wright, with only one other officer and forty-four men, sustained the determined charges of 1,000 horse and 2,000 foot for two hours. When the enemy, after heavy losses, fell back in good order, Wright continued to follow them until they were in full retreat. Wright’s personal example, as well as his skilful leadership, contributed largely to the brilliant success of the affair. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for this deed which took place on 24 March 1903.

His citation from The London Gazette (issue 27596 of 11 September 1903) reads:

“On the 24th March, 1903, Lieutenant Wright, with only one Officer and 44 men, took up a position in the path of the advancing enemy, and 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 till they were in full retreat.

“The personal example of this Officer, as well as his skilful leadership, contributed largely to the brilliant success of this 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.”

During the First World War, Wright served with the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders. He commanded the 8th Infantry Brigade from 1918 to 1922. In 1928 he was elected as Member of Parliament for Tavistock following the death of the sitting MP. He was re-elected at the 1929 general election, but stood down in 1931. Wright was a member of His Majesty’s Bodyguard of the Hon. Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms from 1932 to 1950. During the Second World War he served with the Home Guard.

For many years his Victoria Cross was on display in the Queen’s Royal Surrey Regiment Museum at Clandon Park. Regrettably, it was destroyed in the disastrous fire of 29th April 2015 that gutted the entire building.