The eldest son of Charles F. Wright and Jane Austin Wright, of 75 Cross St., Chatham, Ontario, Canada. He attended Central School and the Chatham Collegiate Institute, where he became very interested in debating team and public speaking. He was assistant Scout master at No.5 troop at Park Street United Church. He was also the Chatham Daily News for Erie Beach in the summer. The brother of Joyce and Keith.   

A graduate in Business and Administration at the University of Western Ontario in 1940. He had spent one year at the T. Eaton Co. of Toronto. Austin enlisted in the RCAF. 25/12/41. He trained at Brantford, Toronto and Malton where he received his “Wings” 14/09/1942.

Austin was reported to have received his ‘Wings’ at No.1 A.O.S, Malton. He was one of forty-eight Navigators graduating, Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Wright, with Joyce, Keith and Garth Wright also attended and Miss Lillian Bennett. CDN 25/09/42(P) 

Before Austin returned to service he was reported to be speaking to the students at the Chatham Collegiate Institute to give them a better understanding of RCAF training, in particular for the position of “Observer” [now referred to a Navigator]. LAC Wright was home from Milton on a week-end leave at his parents home on Cross St., Chatham. CDN 16/06/42 Stationed at RCAF Malton in August, 1942 LAC Wright had a weekend leave with his parents at Erie Beach. CDN 17/08/42 Back on station at Malton LAC Wright flew over Chatham at midnight on an operational flight acting as first navigator. CDN 19/08/42  He went overseas in October 1942 and was commissioned Pilot Officer.

Austin was reported to have received his ‘Wings’ at No.1 A.O.S, Malton. He was one of forty-eight Navigators graduating, Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Wright, with Joyce, Keith and Garth Wright also attended and Miss Lillian Bennett. CDN 25/09/42(P) Austin departed for “an eastern Canadian port to be posted overseas. He was reported to have safely arrived overseas in the CDN 9/11/42.  The CDN 23/02/43 reported that he had his commission and that it to date back to 11 September, the day on which he received his Wings at Malton, ON. with the rank of Pilot Officer. J21828.

Wright and Jane Austin Wright, of Chatham, Ontario, Canada. It was reported that LAC Austin Wright had been convalescing at the Christie Street hospital in Toronto following surgery, Mrs. Austin Wright spent seven weeks in Toronto while Austin was recovering and was spending three weeks at his parent’s home on Cross Street, in Chatham.

In August of 1943 Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Wright received the message every parent never wanted to receive: “Regret to advise that your son Flying Officer Charles Austin Wright (J21828) is reported missing after air operations overseas August tenth. Letter follows.”

Age: 25, KIA – Date of Death: 10/08/1943, In Halifax bomber JD 257 on Air Ops. over Mannheim, Germany.  Crew of seven were lost.

Also serving on Halifax bomber JD 257 was Flt. Sgt. C. R. Smythe also from Chatham, ON. CDN 3/06/44

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead, Grave/Memorial Reference: 2. J. 4.

Cemetery: DURNBACH WAR CEMETERY.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources	Found in Chatham Fire Fighters 1944 Field Day Booklet 7 to 12/08/1944. CWGC. Index of Overseas Deaths. They Shall Grow Not Old., IODE, CDN(9), CCi-RH, VR, BFL-B, CVWM(P)
Supplemental Information	Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead, Grave/Memorial Reference: 2. J. 4. Cemetery: DURNBACH WAR CEMETERY.

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