Major M.H. Wright
29th Armoured Regiment (South Alberta Regiment)

During the operations October 21st to October 27th 1917. For bravery, endurance and control of the men during six days of very hard fighting. His work was invaluable. Ge continually visited all the forward posts, even during the most intense phases of the enemy bombardment, cheering the men and steadying them to resist the enemy counter attack which was to follow.

(M.M. citation, 30 Nov 1917)

Born on 1 November 1896 in Ottawa, Ontario, Marston Howard Wright was a First World War veteran and commanding officer of the 19th Alberta Dragoons. He had enlisted with the 202nd in Battalion March 1916 and reverted from corporal to private to join the 50th Battalion in France. He earned the Military Medal and took a commission in August 1918. The next month he suffered severe wounds to the legs at Cambrai and was struck off strength in 1919.

A member of the 19th Alberta Dragoons since 1914, Wright he rejoined the militia as an officer in 1920. He rose to command in 1938. When the Dragoons were not called out for active service, in June 1940, Wright reverted to the rank of major to be second-in-command of the recently mobilized South Alberta Regiment.

In February 1942, the unit converted to the 29th Armoured Regiment and commanding officer Lieutenant-Colonel W.P. Bristowe went overseas for training. Wright commanded the regiment in Canada from April 1942 until disembarking in the United Kingdom in August.

When Bristow relinquished command and headed to the North Africa theatre, Lieutenant-Colonel G.D. Wotherspoon of the Governor General’s Horse Guards was appointed in his place. Passed over, Wright continued on as second-in-command for only a few months until he was officially replaced by Major A.F. Coffin at the end of August 1943.

He died on 14 March 1977 in Penticton, British Columbia.