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| Regiment/Service: |
Civilian - British (British Civilian)
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| Died: |
03/09/1939 (Died at Sea) |
| Age: |
63 |
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| David Wright was the son of John Wright. He was born about 1872 in County Tyrone. According to newspaper reports, David was from Killshannagh, County. Tyrone. This is almost certainly Kilsannagh. He was travelling to America on board SS Athenia. On 3rd September 1939 it was attacked and sunk by a German U-boat in the Atlantic, 340 miles off the Donegal coast. David Wright was described as being a 63 year old laundry manager, a US citizen. |
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| David Wright was the son of John Wright. He was born about 1872 in County Tyrone.
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| Known family: John Wright, Mary Wright (born about 1861), David Wright (born about 1872), Lizzie Wright (born about 1878).
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| According to newspaper reports, David was from Killshannagh, County. Tyrone. This is almost certainly Kilsannagh. Kilsannagh borders Kilmore.
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| The 1901 census lists a David Wright, aged 29, living at house 17 in Kilmore, Minterburn, County Tyrone. Both David and his father were farmers.
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| The 1911 census lists a David Wright, aged 37, living with his sister at house 13 in Kilmore, Minterburn.
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| On 1st September 1939, SS Athenia left Glasgow for Montreal via Liverpool and Belfast. She carried 1,103 passengers, including about 500 Jewish refugees, 469 Canadians, 311 US citizens and 72 UK subjects, and 315 crew. David Wright was a passenger on board SS Athenia.
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| On 3rd September 1939 when it was attacked and sunk by a German U-boat in the Atlantic, 340 miles off the Donegal coast.
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| David Wright was described as being a 63 year old laundry manager, a US citizen.
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| The Athenia was the first British ship sunk by Germany during World War Two. 117 passengers and crew died. Germany denied sinking the Athenia at the time.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 14th October 1939:
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| A list of 93 passengers of the Athenia, now officially reported missing, was issued on Monday – five weeks after the liner was sunk by a German submarine. Nine of the victims had Ulster connections. They are: David Wright (63), laundty manager, Tyrone address – Killshannagh.
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| David Wright has no known grave. Her name is listed in the Civilian War Dead Roll of Honour at St. George’s Chapel at Westminster Abbey in London.
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