Peter Harold Wright

Peter Harold Wright VC (10 August 1916 – 5 April 1990) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

Wright was 27 years old, and a company sergeant-major in the 3rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards, British Army during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 25 September 1943 near Salerno, Italy, a steep, wooded hill was being assaulted by the 3rd Bn. Coldstream Guards, and Company Sergeant-Major Wright's company, most of its officers killed, was held up near the crest. Sergeant-Major Wright took charge and single-handed he silenced with grenades and bayonet three Spandau posts and then led his men to consolidate the position. He then beat off a counter-attack, and disregarding the heavy fire, brought up extra ammunition.

Wright's Distinguished Conduct Medal was substituted for the VC on the instructions of King George VI.

Peter was born in Mettingham, near Bungay, Suffolk on 10 August 1916. In 1946, Peter married Molly Hurren from Wenhaston, Suffolk, and died in Ipswich on 5 April 1990.

After the war Peter farmed at Church Farm, Blythburgh, Suffolk and later on the estate of Lord Tollemache.

References

• British VCs of World War 2 (John Laffin, 1997)
• Monuments To Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)

External links

• Location of grave and VC medal (Suffolk)
• Peter Wright VC — Wright family website, Suffolk, England