Harold was born in Hough Green, Widnes in April 1884 and was one of eight children to Joseph and Mary Ann Wright. Harold was baptised in nearby Prescot on the 1st June 1884.
Father Joseph is listed on the 1891 Census as being a dog trainer. The family consisting of Harold, his parents and younger siblings (Robert, Annie, Rhoda and Fanny) were still living at Hough Green.
In 1895, father Joseph won the prestigious Waterloo Cup with his greyhound ‘Thoughtless Beauty’.
Another brother Thomas was born before the family moved house to Southport Road, Formby, Lancashire. Here another two brothers, George and Joseph, were added to the fold.
The 1901 Census, shows Harold and Robert as joining their father as ‘Greyhound Trainers’.
1911 shows that Harold had left the family home and was a boarder at Deansgate Lane, Formby. He is now a ‘Professional Greyhound Trainer’.
Not long after, later in the year (April?) Harold got married to Emmeline Hodgson and they went to live at Wellfield Farm, Preston Brook, where Harold continued his greyhound training. Emmeline, who had been born in Manchester in 1877, had been working at 61 Derby Street, Ormskirk as a domestic servant.
In WW1 Harold joined the R.F.A. (Royal Field Artillery) at Frodsham on the 10th December 1915 ( No.160694 ) where he rose to the rank of Warrant Officer 2nd class (Company Sergeant Major). He later transferred to the Royal Engineers No.360190 where he was gazetted and awarded the M.S.M. (Meritorious Service Medal) for duties in France. At one time Harold worked with message carrying dogs. Harold’s home address was still at Wellfield, Preston Brook. Harold also received the Victory Medal and the British Medal.
Emmeline died in early 1936 and was buried in Aston by Sutton aged 60.
Harold died on the 24th November 1974 aged 93. He was living at the old family home in Southport Road, Formby. He too was buried in Aston by Sutton.
