Wallace Duffield Wright

Wallace Duffield Wright
Born	20 September 1875 Gibraltar
Died	25 March 1953 Cobham, Surrey
Buried at	Brookwood Cemetery
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Rank	Brigadier General
Unit	The Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment Northern Nigeria Regiment (attached) Home Guard
Battles/wars	Malakand Frontier War Tirah Campaign Kano-Sokoto Expedition World War I World War II
Awards	Victoria Cross Order of the Bath Order of St Michael and St George Distinguished Service Order
Other work	Conservative Party MP

Brigadier General Wallace Duffield Wright VC, CB, CMG, DSO (20 September 1875 – 25 March 1953) was a 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.

Wright was 27 years old, and a lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, The Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment, British Army, employed Northern Nigeria Regiment during the Kano-Sokoto Expedition, in Nigeria when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 26 February 1903 in Nigeria, Lieutenant Wright, with only one other officer and 44 men sustained the determined charges of 1,000 horse and 2,000 foot for two hours and when the enemy, after heavy losses, fell back in good order, Lieutenant Wright continued to follow them until they were in full retreat. The personal example of this officer, as well as his skilful leadership, contributed largely to the brilliant success of the affair.

In 1928, Wright was elected at a by-election as Conservative Member of Parliament for Tavistock following the death of the sitting MP Philip Kenyon-Slaney. He was re-elected at the 1929 general election, but stood down at the 1931 general election.

His VC is currently on display at The Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment Museum, Clandon Park, Surrey.

References

• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)

External links

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Wallace Duffield Wright
• Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment: Wallace Duffield Wright
• Location of grave and VC medal (Brookwood Cemetery)
• The Brookwood Cemetery Society (Known Holders of the Victoria Cross Commemorated in Brookwood Cemetery)

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Philip Kenyon-Slaney	Member of Parliament for Tavistock 1928–1931	Succeeded by Colin Mark Patrick