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Auction: 21003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 471

Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant

A 1904 K.C.B. group of four awarded General Sir W. P. Wright, Deputy Adjutant-General, Royal Marines, who sailed with two of the three Flying Squadrons and published an account of the adventures of the Detached Squadron 1874-1877 and after retirement was appointed President of the Fulham branch of the League of Mercy

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, K.C.B., Military Division, Knight Commander's set of Insignia, comprising neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel; Star, silver, silver-gilt and enamel; Jubilee 1887; Coronation 1902; League of Mercy, Badge, in presentation case, enamel on star slightly chipped on left side, Medals with traces of lacquer, overall very fine (4)

K.C.B. London Gazette 9 November 1904.

William Purvis Wright was born on 16 July 1846 at Benfields, Berkshire, the son of Captain C. M. M. and Helen Wright (née Callender). Educated at the Royal Naval School, New Cross and Royal Naval College, Greenwich, he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant with the Royal Marines on 31 December 1862. Serving first at Woolwich Headquarters until 4 November 1864 he was transferred to H.M.S. Victoria. Promoted Lieutenant while serving with this vessel on 13 September 1866, Wright was present on the Victoria during her tenure as Flagship of the Mediterranean Fleet, leaving her when this service ended on 7 August 1867 and returning to shore. Joining H.M.S. Satellite on 22 September 1868 while that ship was serving as part of the Pacific Squadron. Here his service record states:

'Landed in command of a detachment R.M. to investigate and explain outrages alleged to have been committed by Indians on the shipwrecked crew of the English Barque "John Bright"'

He is noted as having been a 'sober and zealous' officer during his service aboard Satellite and joined her on her journey back to Britain as part of the first Flying Squadron from Chile, arriving home on 1 December 1870.

After a stint at the School of Musketry at Chatham from 1 August-4 October 1871 he joined H.M.S. Volage. This newly constructed corvette was one of the vessels marked to take part in this circumnavigation of the globe by the second Flying Squadron, intended to 'show the flag' across the world. Serving from 18 October 1871-10 October 1872 he returned ashore when the Volage made Britain again and after sometime at Chatham Headquarters he was posted to H.M.S. Duke of Wellington on 1 October 1873. Perhaps on the strength of his previous service with the Flying Squadron's Wright was appointed to H.M.S. Narcissus when that ship joined the Detached Squadron for its global circumnavigation on 8 August 1874. The Narcissus was the flagship of Rear-Admiral Rowley Lambert for the duration of the cruise which included visits to South America, India (where they served as escort to the Prince of Wales) and South Africa. The Squadron was at sea from 31 September 1874-10 May 1877 with Wright returning to Chatham Headquarters on 12 May. That same year his account of the journey were published by H. Lewis entitled 'The Cruise of the "Narcissus" with the Detached Squadron'. Promoted Captain on 2 September 1878 he was assigned to Plymouth Headquarters on 8 October before transferring to the Royal Marine, Deal Depot on 20 October.

While serving here he married Louisa Hassall, the widow of Lieutenant Hassal, Royal Navy in 1879. Joining H.M.S. Excellent the gunnery instruction school on 2 August 1880 Wright was appointed Gunnery Instructor on 20 September and serving in this role for the next three years until 8 September 1883 when he was promoted Major. Continuing to serve ashore until 16 March 1889 he was posted aboard H.M.S. Bellerophon when that ship served as Flagship on the North American Station. While in this role he was promoted Brevet Lieutenant Colonel on 8 September 1890 and then confirmed as Lieutenant Colonel on 1 February 1892. Leaving Bellerophon on 29 April of that year Wright was transferred to the Portsmouth Division and was soon promoted Colonel on 20 November 1895 and appointed second in command for the Division.

Performing the role of Assistant Adjutant General Royal Marines from 10 May 1897 Wright retained this role upon his promotion to Colonel-Commandant on 23 May 1899, soon followed by the award of a good service pension of £150 on 30 December. His request for promotion to the rank of Major General the next year was approved on 14 March 1900 with a glowing reference which states:

'Colonel W. P. Wright has performed the duties of Assistant Adjutant General Royal Marines since 10 May 1897 & I look upon him as a most excellent Staff Officer & fit for any position on the Staff, either in or out of the Corps.'

In light of this sentiment amongst his peers it is unsurprising that this was soon followed by the appointment of Deputy Adjutant General Royal Marines on 19 June 1902, a position which made him the professional head of the Royal Marines. Made supernumerary on 12 October 1902 he remained in the role Deputy Adjutant General, promoted the next year to Lieutenant-General on 11 April 1903 but remaining supernumerary. Promoted General on 14 July 1907 retiring the next month on 19 June 1907. Wright remained active after his retirement, most notably as President of the Fulham Branch of the League of Mercy, for which he was awarded the Order of the League of Mercy on 7 July 1909. Also an active clubman he was a member of the United Services Club. Wright died at 37 Ladbrooke Square on 30 April 1910 as a result of 'heart disease brought on by indigestion'; sold together with copied service records a 120cm by 95cm oil portrait and framed photograph.

For his miniatures see lot: 603 and for the medals of his son see lot: 483 and his grandson see lot: 426.

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Sold for
£1,800

Starting price
£1200

Sale 21003 Notices
The painting by John Hassell, RI (1868-1948) no longer included with the Lot. Estimate revised to £1,200-1,500.