PHILIP HOPKINS WRIGHT
Born: 1878, Stretham, Isle of Ely, Cambridgeshire.
Died: 9th March 1902; age: 23; Died of Disease at Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.
Residence: Grocer’s, 13, Front Street, Stretham, Isle of Ely, Cambridgeshire.
Occupation: Labourer.
Enlistment Date: 31st December 1895.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 4356.
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 1st Battalion.
Clasps Awarded: Transvaal + South Africa 1902.
CENSUS
1881 Grocer’s – 13, Front Street, Stretham, Isle of Ely, Cambridgeshire.
Philip was 3 years old and living with his widowed mother & siblings.
Elizabeth Wright (nee Hopkins), 34, a Grocer – own account, born Stretham.
George Samuel Wright, 12, an Agricultural Labourer, born Stretham.
Elmira Grace Wright, 11, born Stretham.
Mary Ann Wright, 10, born Stretham.
Albert Charles Wright, 8, born Stretham.
Claude Wright, 6, born Stretham.
Millie Wright, 5, born Stretham.
Alice Wright, 4, born Stretham.
1891 Grocer’s – 13, Front Street, Stretham, Isle of Ely, Cambridgeshire.
Philip was 13 years old, an Agriculutral Labourer. He was living with his mother & sisters.
Elizabeth, 43, a Grocer – own account.
Millie, 15 – died 1891, Stretham, Isle of Ely.
Alice, 14.
Philip’s father was Samuel Morden Wright, born 1848, Stretham, Isle of Ely – died 1878, Stretham, Isle of Ely. A Grocer – own account.
Soldiers’ Effects to Elizabeth Wright – mother, brothers – Albert, George & Claude, and sisters – Elmira, Mary Ann & Alice.
One of the notable Battles with a large loss of Suffolk life was the “Battle of Suffolk hill” at Colesberg, Northern Cape 5th- 6th January 1900. The hill was originally called Red or Grassy Hill. The Suffolk regiment was ordered to make a night attack on a Boer position on the heights, four companies, 354 of all ranks, set out at midnight under the command of Col. Watson. The Suffolks were met by a storm of bullets. The Colonel was amongst the first to fall, and the party later retired with 11 officers and 150+ men killed, wounded or captured.
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