Lt Col James Wright OBE and Lucy Jane Ratty

Ruins of Charles Church, Plymouth
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Alan Murray-Rust - geograph.org.uk/p/7530164
Devastated in the Second World War, retained as a ruin as a memorial to the war. Looking like a traditional medieval Gothic church, it is unusual in being one of very few built in the Commonwealth period. Listed Grade I.

James Wright (b. 2 Jan 1872 in Bristol) Bachelor, Civil Service, of 69 Ashley Road, Bristol, son of James Wright and Eliza Beavis, married Lucy Jane Maddock, Widow, of 27 Tavistock Road, Plymouth, daughter of William Pearce Ratty, Shipwright and Elizabeth Hyde, at Charles Church, Plymouth on 23 Sep 1894. Witnesses were the bride's father, William Pearce Ratty and Eliza Mary Wright, James' sister. Lucy was listed as 29, which was a fib.

Born Lucy Jane Ratty on 24 Aug 1862, she was baptised on 2 Nov 1862, again at Charles Church, Plymouth and first married Frank Louie Maddock in the last quarter of 1882. Francis Louis Maddock, b. 17 Sep 1861, was the son of William Henry Maddock and Eliza Tucker Walters. The couple had one son, Frank Reginald Maddock b. 1884 J Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 345, but who died the following quarter, 1884 S Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 189. Then Francis Louis Maddock died, aged 24, in 1886 S Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 180. In 1891, Lucy Maddock (28) Widow, Sister-in-Law was living at 27 Tavistock Road, Plymouth in the household of Richard Holwill and his wife Thirza, Lucy's sister.

James and Lucy Jane Wright had a further four children together:

1. Lucy Wright b. 10 Jun 1895 S Qtr in BARTON REGIS Vol 06A Page 64
2. James William Wright b. 23 May 1896 S Quarter in BARTON REGIS Volume 06A Page 54
3. Frank Reginald Wright b. 1899 D Quarter in BRISTOL Vol 06A Page 213, Died, aged 1, in 1901 M Quarter in BRISTOL Vol 06A Page 156
4. Reginald Stanley Wright b. 24 Sep 1905 D Quarter in BRISTOL Volume 06A Page 193

The mother's maiden name on all of the birth registrations is RATTY. 

In 1901, James Wright (29) Sorting clerk & telegraphist (post office) and Lucy Wright (35ish!) were living at 23 York Avenue, Bristol, while Lucy Wright (5) and James W Wright (4) were staying with James' parents.

In 1911, James Wright (39) Assistant Superintendent (Post Office), Lucy Jane Wright (45 with discount), Lucy Wright (15) Unestablished telephonist; James William Wright (14) and Reginald Stanley Wright (5) were living at 37 Cornwall Road, Bishopston, Bristol. On this census they confirm that they had four children, of whom three were living, during their 16 year marriage.

In 1921, and still at 37 Cornwall Road, Bishopston, Bristol, were James Wright (49) Civil Service Superintendent Post Office; with Lucy Jane Wright (55+) and their youngest son Reginald Stanley Wright (15).

In 1939, Lt Col James Wright OBE, Civil Servant - Retired (Head Postmaster) and Lucy Jane Wright were living at 29 Rockside Drive, Bristol. 

According to Lives of the First World War and his Medal Card (if James Wright's Service Record as an Officer survives, this is not available online and would need to be ordered from the National Archives at Kew), he was first a Lieutenant in the Royal Corps of Signals and then Lieutenant Colonel Chief Signal Officer Lines of Communication - which makes perfect sense with his experience in the Post Office - and served in France during WWI. I've searched online but have not [yet] found the record of his OBE.

Lucy Jane Wright died on 1 Apr 1942 (J Quarter in BRISTOL Volume 06A Page 1), with age (under) estimated as 77. The Western Times of 4 Apr 1942 carried the announcement: WRIGHT: Lucy Jane, passed peacefully away, April 1, beloved wife of Lieut Col J Wright O.B.E. of 29 Rockside Drive, Henleaze. Internment Canford Cemetery, 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 7. 

James Wright died, aged 91, on 10 Aug 1963 (1963 S Quarter in BRISTOL Volume 07B Page 209) and is buried with his late wife, also in Canford Cemetery.