Their bodies are buried in peace; but their names liveth for evermore.

Their Duty Done

A tribute to the men and women of the East Gippsland Region who Died as a result of their participation in World War One : 1914 -1919

About 1887 when Charles Wright was eighteen years old, he left his native England and set sail for a new life in Australia where he spent the next thirty years of his life. His uncle, Richard Yapp, lived at Bindi and so he settled in the Tambo Valley initially working on the Yapp property. Wright was well educated and his abilities were noticed by Bruthen solicitor Mr. J.D. Macdonald who employed him as an articled clerk. He held the position of Secretary to the Buchan District Co-Operative Factory Co. and owned property at Buchan. He was well known in the Tambo Valley, Buchan and Bruthen areas. It was while he was employed with Mr Macdonald that at 47 years old, he enlisted and after training, proceeded to England on the Euripides with fellow local Malcolm Stirling. From Plymouth Charles proceeded overseas to Etaples in France arriving in September 1916 and proved to be a general favourite amongst his camp mates. The following month he was treated for rheumatism before returning to the field the same month. Just before Christmas, on 22 December, the No. 5 Australian Field Ambulance transferred him to the casualty clearing station with acute bronchitis. Charles wasn’t favoured with a strong constitution and was transferred by the 17 th  Ambulance Train to the No. 5 General Hospital at Rouen where, eight days later, on 30 December he died. Charles Wright was regarded as a thorough gentleman, was quiet and unostentatious. Although considered a private man he was held in high esteem by the local community and with much respect.  Wright must have felt very much part of the community as he bequeathed the sum of £5 10s. (about $500 in today’s terms) to the Omeo Hospital in his will. Charles was not Bruthen born, but his adopted home town placed his name together with the local lads, on the Bruthen war memorial.  We have been unable to locate a photograph of Private Charles Wright, if you know of one, please make contact. Our group would appreciate your assistance.