According to his naval record, William Wright was born at Battersea on 12 June 1889, but it has not been possible to verify this against birth registry and census records.  His mother is named as Ellen in his casualty record.

He joined the Royal Navy on 10 August 1907 at the Stokers’ training ship at the Nore, HMS ACHERON, giving his previous occupation as porter.  In March 1908 he joined the new armoured cruiser HMS SHANNON which became flagship for the 5th Cruiser Squadron of the Home Fleet. He was rated Stoker 1st Class in December 1908.  After four years in SHANNON, he then had seven months in HMS HEARTY, a survey ship employed in the North Sea and Dover Straits.  This was followed by sixteen months at the training ship HMS GANGES II.

On 1 June 1914 he joined the submarine depot ship HMS BONAVENTURE for ship duties.  In August 1914 he transferred to HMS THAMES, depot ship for the Fifth Submarine Flotilla at Sheerness.  In August 1915 he was advanced to Acting Leading Stoker and employed in submarine duties, possibly HMS C2.  In April 1916 he moved to HMS MAIDSTONE, principal depot ship for the Harwich-based submarines, and he was confirmed as a Leading Stoker in October. From January to April 1917 he was back at DOLPHIN, possibly related to the new boat HMS E52 which was commissioned in March 1917 and then joined the Ninth Submarine Flotilla (HMS MAIDSTONE) in April 1917.  After August 1917 he was back on the books of HMS DOLPHIN but presumably undergoing medical treatment.  William Wright died on 9 November 1917 at the 3rd London General Hospital at Wandsworth, close to his home. The cause of death given on his service record was Pulmonary Oedema and Nephritis.  He is buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery, near Woking, Surrey.