Home  |   The Great War  |   Second World War  |   Other Conflicts  |   Useful Links  |   Contact Us

 

Flight Cadet Hector Campbell WRIGHT
46 Training Depot Station, Royal Air Force Date of birth: 28th October 1899 Date of death: 25th September 1918 Killed on active service aged 18 Buried at St Andrews Churchyard, Fencote
Hector Campbell Wright was born at New York City on the 28th of October 1899 the only son of Arthur Fordyce Wright, a merchant, and Alice Fordyce (nee Campbell) Wright of 59 Morningside Avenue, New York City and later of 23 Portman Street, Portman Square in London. He was christened in the crypt of the Church of the Archangel, New York on the 10th of December 1899. He was educated at Lancing College where he was in Olds House from September 1914 to July 1916 where he won house colours for cricket and served as a Private of the Officer Training Corps for two years. He went on to study engineering at City and Guilds Technical College at Finsbury Park where he was a member of the London University Officer Training Corps in the Engineering Section. On the 20th of October 1917 he applied for a commission in the army expressing a preference for either the Machine Gun Corps or the Royal Flying Corps. His application was supported by the Reverend Bowlby, Head Master of Lancing College. He joined the Royal Flying Corps at Farnborough on the 24th of October 1917, and was posted for training at No.1 Officer Cadet Wing at St Leonards-on-Sea. On the 26th of January 1918 he went out for the evening to St Leonards Pier and was found to be drunk on duty when he returned. He was returned to South Farnborough on the 2nd of February. From Headquarters, Cadet Brigade RFC, 13 Eversfield Place, St Leonards-on-Sea to the Director General of Military Aeronautics dated the 2nd of February 1918: - “I have to report that No. 100413 Cadet (3.A.M.) WRIGHT Hector Campbell, Royal Flying Corps, attached No. 1 R.F.C. Cadet Wing was returned to South Farnborough this day. This Cadet was dealt with for being drunk on St Leonards Pier on the 26th ult., and the Officer Commanding, No. 1 R.F.C. Cadet Wing, states that he does not consider that this Cadet displays the essential qualifications of leadership and capacity for command, and in which opinion I concur.” Lieut. Colonel B. Way, for Commanding Cadet Brigade Letter dated the 19th of February 1918 to the Officer in Charge, Royal Flying Corps Records, South Farnborough: - "With reference to your memorandum No. C.R/19.A.L. dated 4th February 1918 regarding No. 100413, Cadet H.C. Wright. I am directed to request that orders may be issued for this Cadet to be transferred to the ranks of the infantry (not London Regiment) forthwith. Kindly notify this officer of the action taken in due course." Captain J.H.P. Brain Letter dated the 9th of March 1918: - Dear Col. Bent "Major Arbuthnot at the War Office has telephoned me this morning concerning 100415 Hector Campbell Wright, who was turned down at No. 1 Cadet Wing for being drunk on St Leonards Pier on the 28th January. He states that the boy is very young – his birthday in October 23rd 1899 – and his only parent is his mother, who has never allowed him to take alcohol in any form whatever. He also states that the mother has communicated with Capt. Carter, Commanding No. 2 Squadron, No. 1 O.C.W. and he states he is willing to take the boy back into his squadron. Would you be so kind as to reconsider the facts of his case and let me know if you think he might be taken on as an N.C.O. Pilot, presuming that re-admission as a Cadet is out of the question, or sent to Farnborough or Blandford for a course of disciplinary training with a view to reconsideration at the end of it? He has done previously 2 years in Lancing College O.T.C. and one year in the University of London O.T.C." Your sincerely Captain J.H.P. Brain He was allowed to resume his training and on the 3rd of May 1918 he was posted to the School of Aeronautics. On the 21st of June he was posted to Uxbridge. On the 20th of July 1918 he was posted to 46 Training Depot Station at South Carlton in Lincolnshire on his appointment as a Flight Cadet. On the 25th of September 1918 he took off from South Carlton aerodrome for a training flight in Sopwith Camel (registration E7154). During the flight the aircraft went into a spin and crashed to the ground killing Hector Wright.

Olds House