On August 7th 1915, my Great Uncle, Solomon Charles
Wraight, boarded the White Star Liner S.S. New York in Liverpool bound for New York, USA.
Solomon Charles Wraight Circa 1910 |
Solomon Charles Wraight was born on the 22nd May
1895 in Lambeth, Surrey. He was the eldest son of Solomon (Solly) and Alice
Wraight (Nee Uden) and had three sisters Alice (born 1897), Elsie (born 1903)
and Ivy (born 10 Oct 1904) and three brothers William (AKA Bill born 1899),
Arthur (Born 1907) and Frederick (Fred Born 1911).
Solomon and William were at school together in 1908 at the Gideon Road School, Wandsworth and by 1911 the family were living at 14
Eland Road, Lavender Hill, Battersea. Solomon Charles aged 15 was now an
apprentice Joiner. His father Solly being a Builders Joiner (Shop Foreman). Alice, William, Elsie and Ivy were all attending school. His
younger sister Alice died in 1911 aged 14.
The Wraight Family |
The passenger list for The S.S.New York lists Solomon
Charles as 20 years of age and a carpenter. Solomon travelled 3rd
Class paying the fare himself and arrived at Ellis Island on the 15th
August 1915.
SS New York |
His final destination being Philadelphia, where he was due to join
the Carpenters Union in Philadelphia. Solomon was 5Ft 7 inches, fair complexion
with brown hair and brown eyes and no distinguishing marks. His health was good
and he was able to read and work.
His uncle, Albert Uden, who had emigrated to Canada in 1907, had
joined the 4th Field Company, Canadian Engineers, whose regiment had recently made the opposite journey to Solomon across the Atlantic arriving in England on
29th April 1915. (the records are not currently available to confirm
if Albert was among their number). For Solomon though a new life awaited in America.
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