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John Edward Pritchard
5806, Private, 10th Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Killed in action, 13 November 1916, aged 21
No known grave (Thièpval Memorial, Somme, France)
CWGC registered (Son of George and Elizabeth Pritchard, of Llewelyn Chambers, Llandudno)
Born in Llandudno on 22 October 1895, John Edward Pritchard was the son of George William and Elizabeth Pritchard (née Jones). George William Pritchard was the brother of Annie Boyce, the mother of Samuel Christopher Boyce (qv). When John was baptised on 28 January 1896, the family’s home was “The Ives”, Church Walks, Llandudno and George William is recorded as a plumber. The 1901 Census for Wales records the family of nine living at 2 Pen-y-Buarth, Great Orme, Llandudno; George Pritchard was described as a plasterer and painter and John Edward (5) as at school. In September 1902, John transferred from St. Beuno’s School to St. George’s National School which he left in September 1909. Elizabeth Pritchard died in 1910 and the Census for the following year records the widowed George Pritchard with six of his children living at the same address; John Edward is described as a butcher’s apprentice.
Now described as a boatman, John Edward joined the Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 1 September 1914. Although the press at the time indicated that he had joined “Kitchener’s New Army”, his service record indicates that he originally joined as a special reservist in the Army Reserve for six years’ service. A given age of 18 years and 11 months appears to have been amended to 19 years and 11 months – the former age was the correct one. He gave his father, George Pritchard of 5 Wyddfryd Road, Great Orme’s Head as his next of kin. He joined at Llandudno, was given the regimental number of 5806 and initially sent to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion at Wrexham.
On 24 October 1914, John was posted to the 12th Battalion RWF. At that time the 12th RWF was a Service Battalion forming at Wrexham, part of Kitchener’s 4th New Army (K4) and it moved to Tenby in February 1915. Because of the need to reinforce existing Battalions, K4 was broken up in April 1915 and its battalions became Reserve Battalions, recruiting and training men and subalterns for the frontline battalions. The 12th (Reserve) Battalion moved to Kinmel Park on 10 April 1915.
Almost a year later, at the end of March 1916, John Edward Pritchard disembarked in France, initially headed for the 25th Infantry Base Depot at Étaples. He was posted to the 10th (Service) Battalion RWF, joining it in April 1916. He was killed in action on 13 November 1916, aged 21, probably during an attack on Serre whilst advancing through waist-deep mud against uncut German Wire; the battalion suffered 289 casualties that day. He has no known grave.
Known memorials:
- Thièpval Memorial, Somme, France
- Llandudno Roll of Honour
- Llandudno War Memorial
- Memorial Chapel, Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno
John E Pritchard was a first cousin to Samuel Boyce. John’s father was a brother to Samuels mother Annie C Pritchard. They were descended from the Williams family of Ty’n y fron.
Thank you Linda for that. Have taken the opportunity to revise this soldier and have discovered date of birth, baptism, schooling.