The Leas School,  Hoylake

Maurice's father was Ernest Alexanderson Wright (1865-1925), vicar of St Johns, Hull, later of All Saints, Clapham Park, London. Maurice's mother was Agnes Worthington (1866-1934 - she died of heart failure while being driven by Maurice); she was a daughter of Dublin-born Joseph Hall Worthington (1822-1903), merchant and shipowner, and his wife Rhoda Agnes Brooke. Maurice's sister Kathleen was shot dead by the IRA in 1921, an innocent spectator at a cricket match in Trinity College, Dublin.

Maurice attended Dulwich College 1921-25, then went up to Jesus College, Cambridge in October 1926. In June 1928 he was awarded Class III in the Classical Tripos Part 1; his MA was conferred in April 1939.

In September 1933 Maurice joined the teaching staff at The Leas; and in 1939 he was appointed joint headmaster, along with Francis Fetherstonhaugh, by Tim Dealtry. But he left very soon for war service, appointed 2nd Lieutenant, Royal Irish Fusiliers, on 5 March 1940.

When Maurice returned from war service, he found Henry Silcock and Sydney Procter firmly installed. So he went off and set up his own prep school: Marsh Court, Stockbridge, Hampshire. He was soon joined at Marsh Court by David 'Watty' Watkinson, who had been both pupil (1931-36) and teacher (c1946-1948) at The Leas.

In 1946 Maurice married Mary Gray Campbell Crum; they had 4 children.