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Auction: 25003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 185

The a well-documented 'Colonial Administrators' C.M.G. group of five awarded to 2nd Lieutenant A. A. Wright, Rifle Brigade, a veteran colonial administrator who served as Governor of Fiji and the Windward Islands

The Most Distinguished Order of St. Micheal and St. George, Companion's (C.M.G.) breast Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, in its Garrard&Co case of issue; British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. A. A. Wright.); Jubilee 1935, Coronation 1937, the last four mounted as worn, sold together with the Jubilee and Coronation medals attributed to the recipient's wife, light contact wear to the campaign awards, overall good very fine (5)

C.M.G. London Gazette 5 February 1937.

Arthur Alban Wright was born on 24 October 1887 at Barbados, the son of Martha and Reverend Alban Booth, a missionary and the organising secretary for the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. Educated at St. Edmund's School, Canterbury and he matriculated to St. John's College, Oxford before finally graduating.

Wright was advance Lieutenant on 3 September 1910 with the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment he joined the Colonial Civil Service two years later. Posted out to Fiji he became a District Commissioner in 1915 remaining the role during the early years of the Great War. Wright returned to military service in 1917 when he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 30 April 1917, serving until the end of the war and keeping a diary covering several months of his service (included with this lot). This notes at least one minor knock suffered by Wright, stating:

'July 30th Friday: The Boche bombarded a lot- I was hit in the back by a lump of stone + again on the shoulder with another lump. Also 2 lumps in the helmet again today.'

While Wright survived the ordeal of the trenches, tragically, he lost one of his younger brothers, Robert, who was serving as a Warrant Officer with the Birmingham Pals. He was advanced Lieutenant on 30 October 1918, too late for the rank of appear upon his medals.

Returning to Fiji Wright continued to work there, becoming became Provincial Commissioner in 1922 and Assistant Colonial Secretary in 1928. Nominated to the Legislative Council in 1930 he remained in that role after his appointment to Secretary of Native Affairs in 1932.

Given his experience with the Colony it is perhaps unsurprising that Wright found himself in the role of Acting Governor in 1935. Leaving the Island after that point, Wright was appointed Administrator of St. Vincent and later Administrator of St. Lucia where he was to remain for some time. From this seat Wright was twice Acting Governor of the Windward Islands.

Undertaking this role during the Second World War Wright's role became increasingly difficult, especially as St. Lucia became the site of an American airbase. President Roosevelt visited this site in 1940 as a report in the Shields Daily News states:

'Roosevelt Visits Air Base
New York, Monday.

President Roosevelt, who is on 15 days' tour of United States defences in the Caribbean yester-day visited St. Lucia, where America has acquired an air base from Britain under the "destroyers for bases" deal.
With the Governor Mr AA Wright, and Sir Henry B. Nopam, the president examined facilities for water supplies and artillery protection, touring the inner harbour in a small United States naval patrol boat.
Island officials lunched with him on board the U.S. light cruiser Tuscalosa, while the vessel proceeded to the base.
The President later conferred for more than an hour with American officials on board the Tuscaloosa at Martinique.
The cruiser then moved close to the French aircraft carrier Bearn and later left for an undisclosed destination.'

In the role of Administrator Wright granted permission for the marriage of his daughter Priscilla to Lieutenant Charles A. Smith, United States Naval Reserve in 1943. That same year he finally gave up his post, a reply to a letter written by him to another Governor indicates that he continued to look for Government work upon leaving his post.

Unfortunately it seems that he could not find it and instead found the appointment as Managing Director of the Jamaica Starch and Milling Company between 1944-1946. Returning to Britain he settled in Berkshire and died at the Ascot Nursing Centre on 4 January 1967.

Sold together with a comprehensive archive of material comprising:

i)
The Jubilee 1935 and Coronation 1937 Medals attributed to the Recipient's wife, Margaret Emily Wright (nee Booth).

ii)
A great deal of correspondence on both official and personal matters.

iii)
A collection of newspaper articles relating to the recipient's career.

iv)
A number of the recipients school reports from St. Edmund's School.

v)
Several diaries, one by the recipient during the Great War, two by his daughter.

vi)
Two folders containing documents relating to the recipient's careers both in the Military and in Colonial Service.

vii)
Several documents relating to the recipient's daughter, her marriage and later divorce.

viii)
A number of dinner menus from Government Houses in Fiji, St. Vincent and St. Lucia.

ix)
A silver key in a wooden box, presented to the recipient upon the formal opening of a Mental Hospital upon St. Vincent on 2 May 1938.

For the recipient's miniature dress medals, please see Lot 318.

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Estimate
£800 to £1,000

Starting price
£600