Wright, William

 

 William Wright

 

The death occurred yesterday afternoon of Mr William Wright, a very old resident of Kaiapoi, who was ninety-three years of age. Mr Wright arrived in Lyttelton more than fifty years ago, and after staying there some time, removed to Kaiapoi. He served as a corporal of Sappers and Miners in the Crimea, and superintended the building of forts, for which his superior officers gave great praise.
Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXI, Issue 8082, 11 June 1910

 

 

 Mr William Wright, sen., died at Kaiapoi yesterday, at the ripe old age of 93. Deceased was one of our best known veterans, having served in the British Auxiliary Legion raised by General Sir de Lacy Evans to defend Queen Isabella II of Spain against the troops of Don Carlos. He received his baptism of fire under Hernani at the heights of Santa Barbara, off St. Sebastian, and was present at all of the important battles throughout the war. That the campaign was a vigorous one, may be judged from the fact that fully one-third of the men were killed in active fighting. In 1837 he enlisted in the H.E.I.C. service, and joined their headquarters at Chatham, afterwards being sent with a detachment to the East India Company's College at Addiscombe, where he remained for twelve years. He obtained his discharge to come to New Zealand on December 21st, 1851 [if in NZ in 1851, doubtful if he was also in the Crimean War]. For some time the late Mr Wright was associated with the volunteer movement at Kaiapoi, where his ripe experience was of great value. His eldest son is Mr R. M. Wright, of Ohoka, and he leaves a large number of descendants.
Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13757, 11 June 1910