Thomas, or 'Fred', as he was better known, was born in Burton Latimer on January 18th, 1887. He was the eldest son of Walter Wright from Lower Heyford and his wife Harriet Wright (nee Flanders) from Burton Latimer. The couple married in 1877 and had 15 children, 8 of whom survived infancy.

In the 1891 Census the family were living in Nichols Row. Walter, 33, is an Ironstone Labourer, Harriet is 32. Their children are Alice, 7, Fred, 4, Walter, 2 and William, 6 months.

By 1901 they had moved to Finedon Street. Walter, 44, was still an Ironstone Labourer, Harriet was also shown as 44. Their children are Alice, 17, a Clothing Factory Machinist, Fred, 14, an Errand Boy, Walter, 12, Lily, 11, Charles William, 7, George Eli, 5 and Harriet, 3. Eldest daughter Ellen had married Samuel Thomas Tarry at the Parish Church on May 12th, 1900.

On January 21st, 1907 Fred married Alice Ann Jones at Thrapston Parish Church. On January 24th, 1909 a son Freddie was born.

The 1911 Census shows that Walter, 54 and Harriet, 54 have moved to 70 Acre Lodge where Walter is now a Farmer. Fred, 24, an Ironstone Miner, is recorded in the household with his son Freddie, 2, but there is no record of his wife Alice. Also, at home are Charles, 17, and George, 15, both working on the Farm and Harriet, 13. A daughter, Violet Alice, was born on September 21st 1914.

Fred enlisted as Private No. 20301 in the 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment, on August 4th, 1915. After training at Colchester, he came home on leave for a week on December 18th but, after 4 days, he was sent for and left for France on December 22nd.

He was taken into hospital in France for an operation on April 6th, 1916 and died of septic pneumonia on April 10th, aged 29.

Fred was buried Corbie Communal Cemetery, Somme, France and awarded the 1914-15 Star in addition to the British War and Victory Medals. At the dedication of the War Memorial in 1922 a wreath was laid in his memory from Mother, Dad and Nellie (Ellen).

The wreath was also dedicated to the memory of Ellen’s husband Samuel Thomas Tarry who was reported as ‘Missing presumed Killed’ on August 8th, 1916. His brothers Charles and George also served during the War.