Biography:
Egerton Lowndes Wright was born 15 November 1885, the second son of Henry Lowndes Wright of Burnt House, Adlington, Lancashire and Alice Maud Wright, daughter of James Eckersley of 80 Gloucester Place, Portman Square, London. He was one of four Wykehamist brothers. The others were Geoffrey Lowndes Wright (G 1896-1901), Philip Lowndes Wright (G 1905-1909), and Frank Lowndes Wright (G 1907-1911, who died as a result of wounds 6 January 1922 ). All four brothers served in the war, after which their father published a memoir entitled Four Brothers & the World War: the Private Record of their Father for his Grandchildren (Combridges, Hove 1933). ‘Geoff’ Wright (MC and Bar) was a battery commander in the RFA, in 46th Division, and was wounded in September 1916 at Belleglise; ‘Phil’ Wright (DSO, MC) was also in 1/1st Oxford and Bucks before moving to the staff; Frank had attended RMC Sandhurst, and joined 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment, with whom he went to France in September 1914. Severely wounded in October, near Hazebrouck, he then served on the staff in London, but died from the effects of his wounds in 1922. Two of Wright’s brothers also won MCs; one was additionally awarded the DSO; the youngest was mentioned in despatches and badly wounded.
Egerton Wright, known as Toddy, came to Winchester College from Mr Tylecote's school in January 1898 and was in G House, Sergeant's. He became Senior Commoner Prefect, played for Lords XI for four years and captained the team in 1903 and 1904. He was also captain of Commoner VI, a member of Soccer XI and in 1904 partnered the Hon CN Bruce in winning the Public Schools Racquets Championship.
He left Winchester in the summer of 1904 for New College, Oxford. At Oxford he fulfilled the athletic promise of his school days. He obtained his soccer Blue in his first year and played against Cambridge in 1905 and 1908. He was in the University Cricket team and captain in 1907 and 1908, and afterwards played for Lancashire. He took his degree with Honours in Classical Moderations and History and entered the firm of Wilson, Wright and Davies, solicitors, in Manchester and Preston.
At the outbreak of war Wright obtained a commission in the Bucks Battalion of the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and went to France with them in March 1915. He served successively as Adjutant to his battalion and on the staff of a Brigade, an Army Corps and a Division, being twice mentioned in Despatches and receiving the MC. At the end of 1916 he was appointed Brigade Major to the 6th Infantry Brigade and served in that capacity till his death.
He fell in action near Barly on 11 May 1918. He is commemorated by a memorial plaque in the church at Weston Underwood in Buckinghamshire: To the glory of God Cpt. Egerton Lowndes Wright M.C. Bucks. Batt Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry Brigade Major 6th Infantry Killed in action at Blairville France on 11th May 1918.
Captain Wright married Miss Violet Shakespear in 1912 and left two children, one of whom, James Egerton Lowndes Wright, also came to Winchester (E 1925-1930), and played for Lords and Princes.