William James Wright was born on 3 Jun 1880 at Cloverfield, Port Pirie, South Australia to George Main Wright and Elizabeth nee Rushall. He was their first child and the survivor of twin sons, his sibling being stillborn. He had one older brother born the following year.
Wedding of William James WRIGHT to Nellie Beatrice SIMPSON – 5 Jun 1910, Port Pirie, South Australia. Back Row: A M Wright – F H S Simpson – Ross Bosomworth Front Row: Clarice Simpson (sister of bride) – Amy Simpson – William and his bride – W R Wright – Floss Wright. – Photo Ancestry.com
After his marriage in SA in 1910 the couple moved to Western Australia where their first child was born, George Simpson Wright born 11 Jan 1912 in Boulder, followed also in Boulder, twins, Mona Nellie and Maurice William in 1914 (Maurice died aged 5 months). Followed by Thomas Main Wright born in Claremont, Perth WA in 1917. Nellie returned to South Australia for the birth of their fourth son, Maurice William Wright (second child with this name), born Port Pirie SA in 1919. She returned to WA when her daughter Beatrice Jean was born in Subiaco Perth in 1921, then in 1922, their last child was born in Boulder, David Desmond Wright.
Nellie Beatrice Wright died on 22nd October 1927 at the age of 46yrs in the Kalgoorlie Government Hospital, and is buried in the Kalgoorlie Cemetery. She died of Lung disease and was in the Kalgoorlie hospital for 48 days prior to her death. At the time the family was living at 80 Wittenoom Street, Boulder. She was buried with her 5 month old baby son, Maurice William.
Kalgoorlie Miner 24 October 1927, page 4
William James Wright die on 21st August 1940 and is buried in the Boulder Cemetery. He has no headstone. He died possibly from Miners Silicosis and was still living at 80 Wittenoom Street, Boulder at the time of his death in the Kalgoorlie Hospital. he was a miner and engineer at the Great Boulder Mine and a councillor for the Boulder Council.
William James Wright – Photo Ancestry.com
Western Mail 17 August 1933, page 6
Kalgoorlie Miner 22 August 1940, page 4
Also buried in the Boulder cemetery is his son, Thomas Main Wright who died in Kalgoorlie in 1982. He is buried with his wife wife Elsie Amelia who tragically died as a young mother aged 34yrs in 1954 and their son and grandson, of William, William Maurice ‘Bill’ Wright who died aged 19yrs in Dec 1966. Thomas had one other child, Francis Wright. After this double family tragedy Thomas never remarried. Elsie was also a Boulder girl, the daughter of Maurice Ignatius Salmon and Antoinette Pini Della Vedova.
Thomas Main Wright & Elsie Amelia ‘Emily’ Wright nee Salmon – Photo Ancestry.com
Grave of Thomas, Elsie & William Maurice Wright – photo Find a Grave
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Moya Sharp
Mona Nellie Wright is my grandmother on my mothers side.
Mona Married Jack Raymond Dowson and my mother is their second child.
Jack Raymond Dowson was the son of Parkin and Caroline Dowson who were well know in the Boulder community.
Thomas Main Wright was my grandfather. Elsie Emilia Salmon was my grandmother. I’m the eldest daughter of Francis Thomas Wright. Dad (Frank) is living in Kwinana now. I’m in Quinn’s Rocks.
Grandads grave is incorrect. It says father of Fran. It should read Francis or Frank. Frank is still living in Kwinana.
Good morning Moya
My name is Clem Lester. I live in Perth.
My mother’s Aunt (my great Aunt) lived in Boulder in the early 1900’s. Her name was Susan Beston (nee Wright) who was married to Stephen Beston (Mayor of Boulder 1915-1919) who I understand also owned a bakery and grocery store in Boulder. She was the sister of my maternal grandmother Maria Watt (nee Wright). At some time after my maternal grandfather (Percy Watt) died I believe my mother Catherine Agnes Watt (1904 -1996) and her sister Miriam Alice Watt (1902 -) came to live in Boulder with my great aunt and attended a school or convent in Kalgoorlie or Boulder. I am trying to find out more about my mother and her sister during the time they may have stayed with my great aunt and her husband.
Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Clem You might like this story – https://www.outbackfamilyhistoryblog.com/stephen-beston-a-kindly-natured-man/ I will see if I can find out any morte for you.
Thank you Moya for the information. Anything you might find would be appreciated.