26/05/2025
Annual visit to Gt Uncle Jack's grave. He was born at Avenue Farm and initially worked at The Quarry as a stonemason. His obituary below mentions his origins in Waverton.
Obituary
OBITUARY
MR JOHN WRIGHT, WATCHHILL
The death took place with startling suddenness on Monday night of Mr John Wright, Watchhill, Annan, a noted greyhound trainer. Mr Wright appeared to be in his usual health on Monday, and spent part of the day at work in his garden. His daughter-in-law, Mrs Hardy Wright, retired for the night about ten o’clock, leaving Mr Wright in the kitchen, where he slept. On entering the kitchen on Tuesday morning she was shocked to find Mr Wright lying on the floor. He had evidently had a seizure and expired while preparing to retire. Dr Smith, Annan, was called in, but he could only pronounce life extinct, death being due to heart failure. Mr Wright was 79 years of age, and was a native of Waverton, Cheshire. For many years he acted as dog trainer to the late Mr Pilkington, Cavens, Kirkbean, and was latterly appointed manager at Mereshead Farm, were he resided for a number of years, his brother Mr Joseph Wright, taking over the training of the dogs for Mr. Pilkington. He was twenty years at Kirkbean, and on leaving the district in 1904 Mrs Wright was presented with a handsome marble clock, along with a purse of sovereigns to her husband, by friends. Mr Wright came to Annan about 24 years ago. For a number of years he was trainer for the late Mr William Paterson. of Broomlands, Maxwelltown and Watchhall, Annan, and on the death of Mr Paterson he took over the kennels at Watchhall, and until two years ago, when he retired following an illness, he had acted in the capacity of public trainer. Mr Wright had a wide knowledge and experience of dogs, and many animals, mainly greyhounds, were placed in his charge. On seven occasions he trained winners of the Tenants’ Cup at Kinmount coursing, and also the winner of the corrie cup during the time of the meetings at corrie. He had a dog in the last four at Waterloo meeting on three occasions, and while acting as trainer for the late Mr Pilkington he trained “Phoebus,” the winner of the £1000 championship at Kempton Park, London. He was a frequent attender at all the principal meetings in the country, where his abilities earned for him many friends by whom he was much respected. His brothers Mr Joseph Wright and Mr Thomas Wright, who are well known in sporting circles, have on seven occasions trained winners of the waterloo Cup. Mr Wright was predeceased by his wife a few years ago, and he is survived by his three sons and one daughter – Mr Allan Wright, Swindon; Mr Ivan Wright, who is a constable in London; and Mr Hardy Wright, Watchhill, who took over the management of the kennels at Watchhall after the retrial of his father. His daughter Mrs Thomas resides in New Zealand. The funeral, which will be of a private character, takes place in Annan cemetery to-day.
The Annandale Observer 2nd August 1929
