Ken Wright (footballer)

Kenneth Lawrence Wright (born 16 May 1922 in Newmarket, Suffolk- 6 June 1994[1]) was an English footballer who played as a forward.

As an amateur, Wright played for Cambridge City before joining West Ham United. He signed pro forms with the east London club in 1946, playing for them for three seasons before leaving in 1949. He was the club's top scorer for the 1948-49 season with 11 goals. His overall tally for West Ham was 25 goals in 56 games.

Wright was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross while serving with the Royal Air Force during World War II. The following citation appeared in the London Gazette on 6 June 1944 (D-Day), when Wright's 207 Squadron were bombing Caen in support of 'Operation Overlord':

"Flying Officer K L Wright (157304) Royal Airforce Volunteer Reserve, No. 207 Squadron : This officer has completed numerous successful operations against heavily defended enemy targets, including nine sorties against Berlin. He has always exhibited great keenness and pressed home his attacks with determination. On one occasion, during an attack on Berlin, his aircraft was severely damaged by fire from the defences. Flying Officer Wright displayed great coolness and superb airmanship in flying the crippled bomber safely back to base. Another time, when on a sortie against Stuttgart, this officer's aircraft was attacked by an Me.109 while over the target area, but he skilfully manoeuvred his aircraft into a position which enabled his gunners to destroy the enemy".

Wright rose to the rank of Flight Lieutenant before being de-mobbed in 1946. He later rejoined the R.A.F. after a knee injury forced his retirement from football. He died in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1994 after a short illness.

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References

  1. ↑ Wright, Kenneth Lawrence. "England & Wales, Death Index, 1916-2007" Check |url= value (help). ancestry.com. Retrieved 8 December 2013.


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