Wright, William Martin

Captain William Martin Wright

Wright was born at Springfield, Newtownards on 22nd April 1884 to the Rev. William Wright and Charlotte McWilliams Wright nee Robinson. His birth was registered on 29th May 1884 without a FIRST name. William and Charlotte had married on 9th December 1880 at The Manse, Broughshane, Ballymena.

In 1901 Wright (16) is living in house 3, Corporation South, Newtownards, Co. Down with his parents and 6 siblings, Hannah D (15), Charlotte M (13), Archibald R (19), Richard P (10), Alfred I (3) and Matthew I (12). mA servant, Sarah Fulton was also present in the property.

Wright was educated at Campbell College, Belfast.  The Lennonwylie website records:

319. Wright, William Martin, b. 23rd. April, 1884, son of Rev. Wm. Wright, M.A., D.D., Newtownards. Brother of 317, 318, 846 and 1241. L.V., July, 1899.  Scholar.  Solicitors' Final, 1910.  Assistant Solicitor, Belfast Banking Co., 1910-14. Great War: Capt., R. Irish Rifles. Adj., 13th Bn. Severely wounded. Partner, McKinty & Wright, Solicitors, Belfast. Hon. Solicitor, British Legion for 32 years. Chairman, Newtownards Branch, British Legion for 30 years; President, 2 years.  Died 16th Nov., 1952. (M.)

Allowing for study and law examinations, Wright may have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1906. He was the bank Assistant Solicitor from 1910 to 1914. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

By 1911, they have moved to house 21, Circular Street, Newtownards, Co. Down. Wright's occupation is recorded as a Bank Solicitor. 

Wright volunteered and enlisted into the 13th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles and attained the rank of Lieutenant, then becoming Captain and Adjutant. He also served with the 6th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers and the Labour Corps.

His first theatre of war is recorded as France from September 1915.

Wm M Wright - Medal Index Card

(address recorded as 82 Royal Avenue, Belfast

and were the offices of McKinty and Wright)

He was severely wounded on 29th June 1916. The Belfast Banking Company 'Roll of Honour' booklet records Wright as having been 'previously wounded' with his last known address as 'Salonika'.

Belfast Bank 'Roll of Honour' booklet

Following demobilisation, Wright may not have returned immediately to the Belfast Bank. He later became a partner in McKinty and Wright, Belfast.

As an officer, Wright had to apply for his medals. He applied on 24th April 1922 and was awarded the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. His address at that time were the offices of his practice, 82 Royal Avenue, Belfast.

Wm M Wright - Medal Roll

Due to his wartime injury, Wright applied for a pension and a Pension Card was generated with Identification Number Oa135445 (may be an Ancestry number) and 201 Labour Corps recorded as his regiment.

Wright also became involved in the Royal British Legion, becoming their Hon. Solicitor for 32 years, Chairman of the Newtownards branch for 30 years and President for 2 years.

The solicitors practice, McKinty and Wright is first mentioned in the British Newspaper Archive in 1921.

Wright died on 16th November 1952 at his residence, 'Coreen', 140 Sydenham Avenue, Belfast leaving a widow, Edna. He is buried in Movilla Cemetery, Newtownards.

The Northern Whig of 16th November 1954 carried an 'In Memoriam' notice: