WWI Soldier Spotlight: The Story of 2nd Lieutenant Harold Purton Wright
Lieutenant Harold Purton Wright was just a teenager in 1896 when he sailed across the Atlantic from England to Agassiz, British Columbia with his siblings to farm in Agassiz. Each week, he and his siblings wrote home to their parents in England. Harold Purton Wright was heroic and adventurous. Throughout his life he showed bravery and courage, including being a 2nd Lieutenant in the British Army during WW1.
This post is all about Harold Purton Wright. His family, his accomplishments, his military career, and more.
Family and Childhood
Harold was born in 1878 in Newborough, Strattfordshire England to John Preston Wright and Edith Jane Purton. He was the fifth child and youngest boy in the family. His dad held various clergy positions and the family moved around to where their dad was needed. They grew up in large houses funded by the church. Their home always had at least three servants: a cook, a maid, and usually a parlourmaid or a ladysmaid. One house had 19 rooms, which is why they had the space for a large family, servants, and usually guests.
When Harold was around 13 years old he went to live with his grandparents as a boarder with 11 other children around his age. At this time, two of his other brothers went to live with his other set of grandparents.
The Journey to Canada
In 1896, at the age of 18, Harold set sail aboard the RMS Majestic from Liverpool to New York via Ellis Island. His parents had rented a farm in Canada, and Harold and his sister May and brothers Jack and Cecil were on their way to try their hand at farming.
While in Agassiz, Harold saw some familiar faces and set to work at farming the large area of land their parents had rented.
A Hero’s Attempt to Save a Drowning Man
In June 1896, only a few months after arriving in Agassiz, British Columbia, Harold jumps into action trying to save a man from drowning in the slough. He made multiple attempts to save the man, but sadly was unable to retrieve and revive the man and he drowned. This was an early example of Harold being a hero, jumping at the chance to save those in distress.
Returning to Life in England
From what I have discovered so far, Harold returned to his parents and little sister Dorothy in England after a couple of years farming in Agassiz. He was living in Newborough, Staffordshire, England, a small town where his dad was assigned. Harold was an engineering student learning a career as a young adult.
In 1911, Harold was making a living as the proprietor at Vinton Garages where he also sold automobiles. During this time he lived with his parents, and his sister Dorothy who also worked at his garage as a clerk.
In 1913, Harold married his first wife, Blanche Mary Heard. Blanche’s sister, Marion, is written about in the Hazeley letters. There are no records of them having children. Their marriage only lasted a few years, the reason it ended is unclear, however, marriages in this time period and within this family tend only to end in death. It’s likely Blanche died and left Harold a widower.
World War I Soldier
In 1915, The London Gazette’s June notice informs us that Harold is a part of the British Army and was now promoted to temporary 2nd Lieutenant and by December Harold had relinquished his commission. Harold military career likely started earlier than his 1915 appointment as temporary 2nd Lieutenant. More to come on his military career.
Returning to Civilian Life
In 1920, Harold married for a second time to Nellie Jarvis. I have found no records of children from this marriage either. This marriage was also short-lived, this time ending with Harold’s death in 1926 in England.
Follow along to the Hazeley letters to learn more about Harold and his family.
