Michael W

Michael Wright’s journey through both military and civil services paints a picture of dedication, skill, and adaptability. Born in 1941 in Nuneaton and raised in Coventry, Michael’s early life was marked by a significant change after an altercation at school led his mother to transfer him to Mosley School in Radford. He later attended Barkers Butts School in Coventry, where he completed his education before entering the workforce at a local evening newspaper as a copy boy, setting the stage for his future endeavours.

Michael’s Naval Career

In 1956, at the tender age of 15, Michael’s ambition to join the Navy led him to HMS Ganges, the Royal Navy’s education school, where he began as a stoker. It wasn’t long before he switched branches to become a naval air mechanic, initially working on Sea Prince aircraft used for training observers at Lossimouth Royal Navy Air Station. His role involved ensuring these aircraft were mechanically fit for their flights from Lossimouth to Culdrose in Helston.

Michael’s naval career was marked by transitions and relocations. His squadron was transferred to Malta, where he spent 18 months before returning to Lossimouth to join a jet squadron. His skills and expertise continued to deepen as he moved to the Ark Royal, an aircraft carrier, where he worked on the maintenance and refuelling of Wessex Helicopters. These helicopters played a crucial role in deploying sonar to detect submarines near the carrier.

The Ark Royal’s journey took Michael to Singapore and then to Aden, Yemen, where he and his squadron supported the SAS in combat against the Red Wolves. During this period, the helicopters were stripped of their sonar equipment and repurposed for transporting supplies to SAS forces in the mountains.

After his time on the Ark Royal, Michael continued to serve in various capacities, including at a school for training Naval Officers in Somerset. He pursued further education in liquid oxygen in Arbroath near Aberdeen, knowledge he later applied on the HMS Eagle, providing essential support to Navy pilots.

Joining the Police Force

Transitioning from military to civil life, Michael was demobbed in Portsmouth and took up police training at Ensham Hall. He became a Police Constable in Aylesbury in the late 1960s. His military background in firearms led him to serve on duty firearms protection at Chequers, guarding Prime Ministers up to Margaret Thatcher.

While serving in the control room and CID office at Banbury Police Station, Michael endured a severe leg injury in a car accident near Milton Keynes, which led to three knee replacements. He retired from active police duty in 2001 but continued to work in the control room, which was eventually relocated to Oxford.

Coming to Care for Veterans

In March 2024, following a decline in health and a collapse at home, Michael’s need for comprehensive care led him to Care For Veterans. His wife, unable to support his medical needs at home, found solace in knowing that at Care For Veterans, Michael would receive the necessary physiotherapy and comprehensive care to manage his condition.

Michael’s life story is a testament to service, from the Royal Navy to the police force, and ultimately to his engagement in veteran care. His experiences reflect a life dedicated to duty and service, marked by numerous shifts that highlight his adaptability and dedication to whatever role he undertook. His narrative is not just a personal history but a reflection of the broader changes and challenges faced by those who spend their lives in service to their country.