Royal Field Artillery 17th DAC

[crystalight]

I would like to find out more details about my Grandfather, Sergeant Claude Alexander Wright born 21-1-1894 in Broadwater, Worthing, West Sussex.
I have an unreadable number (something like Gro68G72?8? but could be wrong) on a certificate presented to him in recognition of great gallantry and devotion to duty and valuable services on active service on the Western Front during 3 and a half years, signed by??? Lt.Col. R.F.A. commanding 17th D.A.C.

From this I know he was in the Royal Field Artillery 17th Divisional Ammunition Column but no dates and my search for a service record has drawn blanks so far.
He did not die until 1952 so I know he survived the War, if anyone has any idea's or can help I would love to know.

As a very long shot I have a very bad,dark photocopy of him (one of 19 men and a dog) in uniform taken outside a corrugated iron "hut" somewhere - some sort of military photo, maybe someone else has one of these? I have no idea who the other men are unfortunately.
All help much appreciated

Crystal

[forester]

Crystal,

This is probably his Medal Index Card, which helps you unravel his service number:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=6226133&queryType=1&resultcount=2

Regards,
Phil

[crystalight]

Thank you Phil,

I have just downloaded the medal index card does not tell me much but I will see what else I can find out. The recorded victory has a roll RFA/202 B and page no. 20266. The regiment no. turned out to be 68972  Date of entry 14-7-1915

thanks for your time
Regards Crystal

[mmm45]

http://www.1914-1918.net/17div.htm

Heres what 17 Div got up to in Great War.

Ady

[crystalight]

Thanks Ady,

Looks a good read 

Much appreciated
Crystal

[forester]

If you are able to get to Kew, or have a large wad of pound notes going spare, for the download  , the 17 DAC war diary from July 1915 to May 1919 is at the National Archives in WO 95/1992.

Phil

[crystalight]

  Thanks Phil,

Looks like a trip to Kew then!! 

Perhaps I will find details of another brother so far drawn a blank,
 Edward Henry Wright born 11-6-1885, died 23-1-1918
Only details I found on CWGC have the wrong date of death (24-3-1918) and no age or parents/address listed, although the name is correct. 

I have taken the date from the family headstone - I take it that he is buried there because the other brother William Arthur Douglas Wright, that died of wounds in France, has an insciption on the gravestone saying that. I have tracked him down and the CWGC have recorded where he is buried (or at least the headstone) in France, how old he was, his parents and address, so at least I know that one is correct.

regards
Crystal

[Wendi]

Perhaps I will find details of another brother so far drawn a blank,
 Edward Henry Wright born 11-6-1885, died 23-1-1918
Only details I found on CWGC have the wrong date of death (24-3-1918) and no age or parents/address listed, although the name is correct. 

WRIGHT, EDWARD HENRY Pioneer 321564 (MO 1 SPEC. COY. Royal Engineers)
Born: Acaster Malbis, Yorkshire
Enlisted: Harrogate
Residence: Thornton Heath, Surrey
Killed in Action on 24/03/1918
Age at death: unknown
Remembered on Panel 10 to 13 of the Pozieres Memorial

I don't think this man is Claud's brother Crystal - checking Edward out on the 1901 Census, shows he is living with a different family in Harrogate   This would explain the discrepancy in date of death you have.

Wendi 

[Wendi]

There is a death registered in Croydon in the first quarter of 1918 for an Edward H Wright aged 32 Volume 2a Page 468, which might throw more light on what happened to your Edward.........if you have not already got his death certificate.

Wendi