Late Private Wright to be commemorated in a special Australian War Memorial Ceremony

Fiji’s very own ANZAC Private Edgar Alma Wright will be commemorated in a special Australian War Memorial Last Post Ceremony in Canberra tomorrow.

Fiji’s High Commissioner to Australia, Yogesh Punja will be joined by Margaret Twomey, who recently concluded her mission as Australian High Commissioner to Fiji, in attending the ceremony to pay their respects to Private Wright.

The Last Post Ceremony is held each night to share the story behind one of the names on the Australian War Memorial’s Roll of Honour. 

Private Edgar Wright was born to George and Mary Eliza Wright in Nasese in 1892.

Edgar attended public schools in Levuka and Suva, and the Australian College in Randwick, New South Wales.

Edgar was 23 when he enlisted for the First World War.

Alongside his brothers, he served in the 6th Light Horse Regiment.

Edgar served at Gallipoli before joining the ANZAC Mounted Division in Egypt.

On the 4th of August, 1916, as the battle of Romani at Katia escalated around him, Edgar was on his unit’s sick list.

Around mid‑morning, hearing heavy firing not far off, he left his hospital bed, mounted a horse and rode up to the front line where his mates, including his younger brother Maitland, were facing heavy opposition.

As he attempted to help them, Edgar was struck by a bullet and was killed instantly.

He was 24-years-old.

Edgar is buried in the Kantara War Cemetery in Egypt.

In Fiji, he is listed on the Levuka Public School Great War Board of Honour, the Levuka War Memorial, and the CWM Hospital Memorial Board.