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Auction: 25001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 62

(x) Four: Private J. Wright, Seaforth Highlanders and Imperial Yeomanry, who managed to re-enlist despite having been discharged unfit

India General Service 1895-1908, 1 clasp, Relief of Chitral 1895 (3647 Pte. J. Wright 2nd Bn. Seaforth Highld.); Queen's Sudan 1896-98 (3647. Pte. J. Wright. 1/Sea:Hrs.); Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (32976 Pte. J. Wright. 71st Coy. Imp:Yeo:); Khedive's Sudan 1896-1908, 1 clasp, Khartoum (3647 Pte. J. Wright 1st Sea. Highrs.), contact marks, some edge bruising, nearly very fine (4)

James Wright was born in London around 1874 and worked as a labourer prior to enlisting with the Seaforth Highlanders in London on 25 June 1891, just one month after his eighteenth birthday. After serving for the first few years at home, Wright was posted to the East Indies in December 1893 with the 2nd Battalion. There, he participated in the Relief of Chitral in India where he continued to serve for a number of years before being stationed directly to Malta in January 1897. After a few months in Malta, Wright was sent to Crete in April to participate in the occupation of the island. He remained there until November, when he was again posted to Malta and served there until March 1898, when he was sent to Egypt with the 1st Battalion. After serving in the Nile expedition of 1898, Wright finally returned home to England in July 1899 after his several years of service abroad.

Back home, Wright was medically examined at Fort George and found to be unfit for active service in South Africa and was subsequently discharged from the Seaforth Highlanders on 16 February 1900. Details as to his condition are not given, however, his medical record notes several ongoing bouts of ague and gonorrhoea, caused by the climate and contagion. It is possible that these illnesses contributed to his deteriorated condition.

Wright appears to have returned to London and worked as a fitter following his discharge, though he was not away from the Army for long. Now 26 years of age, he enlisted for service with the Imperial Yeomanry at Cockspur Street, London, on 11 March 1901. His attestation papers reflect that Wright did reveal his eight years of service with the Seaforth Highlanders, though citing 'time expired' as the reason for discharge.

He was posted to the 71st Company and shipped to South Africa, where he served until his discharge on 14 July 1902 at Elandsfontein in South Africa. He was apparently discharged at his own request to take up a civil engagement in Cape Colony, where he intended to reside thereafter. Wright does not appear to have attempted to re-enlist for third time; sold together with copied service records.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£400 to £600

Starting price
£320