Lance Corporal Frederick G Wright MM

Frederick George Wright was from York and served with the 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment AAC in Tunisian campaign in North Africa from November 1942 until his capture in February 1943. Before volunteering for the airborne forces he was a member of The West Yorks Regiment. 

He was parachute jump trained at RAF Ringway sometime between 1940/41. Then later on ADV 3 January 1942 as a member of The 1st Bn. 

He is in a squad training photograph being presented to King George VI and was decorated with the MM for actions on the night of 5/6 December 1942.

“FOR CONSPICIOUS GALLANTRY 5/6. A FIGHTING PATROL SET OUT TO ENGAGE ENEMY POSITONS AT SIDI BELUAI. ENCOUNTERING STRONG OPPOSITION THEY SUFFERED CASUALTIES. ENTIRELY DISREGARDING HIS PRESONAL SAFETY AND UNDER HEAVY FIRE, HE ASSISTED ANOTHER SOLDIER TO MOVE THE CASUALTIES FROM THE SCENE OF ACTION. PTE WRIGHT WITH ANOTHER SOLDIER REMAINED BEHIND AND BY EXTREME COURAGE SUCCEEDED IN HELPING TO RETURN THE WOUNDED TO OUR LINES A DISTANCE OF OVER 6 MILES TWO OF WHICH WERE BEHIND ENEMY DEFENDED LOCALITIES”

London Gazette 11 February 1943

Was a POW in Italy and finally in Germany Stalag VIIIB. His POW number was 32117.

Frederick was discharged from the Army 17 December 1945.