PRICHARD John Walter

Appears in the Worcester/Worcestershire Roll of Honour Book for army casualties located in Worcester Cathedral under Leigh casualties.

1911 Census:
Upton Warren, Bromsgrove
John Prichard, head, age 57, farmer
Jane Prichard, wife, age 48
Jennie Prichard, daughter, age 22
Thomas Prichard, son, age 19
John Prichard, son, age 17
Evan Prichard, son, age 13
David Prichard, son, age 10

A photograph of Second Lieutenant J.W. Prichard of Brockamin can be found in Berrow’s Worcester Journal Supplement, Saturday 26th October 1918, available at Worcestershire Archives.

The following information has been researched by and is courtesy of Geoff Sullivan:
John Walter Prichard was born on 27th November 1893 at Elmbridge. He was the son of John and Jane Prichard a farming family from Carmarthen and
was known to the family as ‘Jack’. By 1901 they were living at Village Farm, Upton Warren. In the 1911 census, Jack age 17, was working on the family farm. On 17th March 1913, age 19 years and 5 months, he enlisted as a Private in the Army Cyclist Company of 8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment at Bromsgrove. His medical record gives his height at 5 ft 8 inches, chest measurement 35 inches and 37 inches fully expanded, physical development good. There are no other details given.

On 30th March 1915 he was posted to France with the Expeditionary Force. Appointed Lance Corporal in February 1916, Corporal in December 1916 and Lance Sergeant in May 1917. In August he was recommended to apply for admission to an officer cadet unit. In November 1917, he was posted to the officer cadet unit at Newton Ferres, Devon. On 26th February 1918, he was discharged from the Army Cyclists Corps, having obtained a Commission in the Territorial Forces as a temporary Second Lieutenant. He chose to serve with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and joined the 4th battalion.

Jack then returned to serve in France until his death on 18th September 1918. There are few details of his whereabouts in his service record. At some time in 1918, he transferred to the 25th Montgomeryshire and Welsh Horse Yeomanry battalion, which was a part of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, formed in 1917. Jack was wounded on 18th September leading his men in attacking a German post 0.5 miles east of Ponnsoy. Most of the casualties of this day were buried at Plonnsoy, but Jack must have been moved west near Ste Emilie, where he died of his wounds. The war diary lists him among the wounded. He was reburied in Ste. Emilie valley Cemetery, Villers-Faucon, Somme. It was common for burials to be concentrated into cemeteries at the end of the war.

In May 1915, his brother Thomas Aubrey was accidentally shot climbing over a farm gate while out shooting with some friends. He died the next day at the Cottage Hospital, Bromsgrove. Thomas, age 23, is buried at Upton Warren.

In August 1915, Jack’s mother Jane died after collapsing into a fire while at home alone. Jack was serving in France and arrived home too late to attend the funeral. Mrs Prichard is buried at Upton Warren.

25th (Montgomeryshire Yeomanry and Welch Horse) Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
War diary for 18th September 1918

At 3.30 am Bn moved into lines of deployment (F19.c.3.6 – F25.a.3.9) A was right front Coy. 8 left front Coy. C right support Coy. D left support Coy. At zero hour (5.40 am) the line moved forward behind a heavy barrage, rain fell over night and a thick fog lying over the low ground at dawn made direction very difficult. The first objective OPICHAPID POST was gained by 9.0 am. Night fell before the second objective could be made, and the line for the night was consolidated from F. 23. c. 0. 9 – F23. c. 6. 6 with the E. Surreys on our left and the 10/ K.S.L.I. on our right at BENJAMIN POST. Over 100 prisoners were taken during the day and about 20 H.Q. Bn casualties were Capt Charlesworth, Lieut Dudley-Thomas, 2/Lt Penson and 10 OPT killed, and Capt Pl. A. Ellis, Lieut Seaton, 2/Lt Prichard and 44 0Ps wounded and 5 0P missing.