William Pritchard, Royal Garrison Artillery
Gunner, 69263, 210 Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Died, presumed dead missing in action, aged 25, on 5 April 1918 at the Western Front.
Siege Batteries of the RGA were equipped with heavy howitzers, sending large calibre high explosive shells in high trajectory, plunging fire.The usual armaments were 6 inch, 8 inch and 9.2 inch howitzers, although some had huge railway or road mounted 12 inch howitzers. As British artillery tactics developed, the Siege Batteries were most often employed in destroying or neutralising the enemy artillery, as well as putting destructive fire down on strongpoints, dumps, store, roads and railways behind enemy lines. The 210 Siege Battery was equipped with 6 inch howitzers. It is believed that from December 1917 they were part of 98 Brigade RGA. In February 1918 they moved back in line.
Gunner Pritchard enlisted at Denbigh on 17 November 1915 and was placed on the Army Reserve. His occupation was given as an Asylum Attendant at the North Wales Counties Mental Asylum, Denbigh. He was mobilised on 8 February 1916. On 19 May 1916 he was posted to France. On 1 June 1916 he joined 37 Siege Battery. On 1 December 1916 he moved to 109 Siege Battery via 30 HQ Group. On 14 March 1917 he transferred back to 37 Siege Battery but remained attached to III Corps HQ. He returned to the UK on leave from 9 - 19 August 1917. He moved to 17 Siege Battery on 24 September 1917 but still attached to III Corps HQ. On 6? October 1917 he transferred to 210 Siege Battery. He had a period of leave in early 1918 (his son was born 1 December 1918). Although his Service Record is unclear, it would appear that he had just rejoined, or was attempting to rejoin, 210 Siege Battery, probably from III Corps HQ, or from leave, when he was reported missing. (Note: From contact with William Pritchard's granddaughter the family believes that he went missing soon after he returned from leave in the UK.) At this time the British Army was fighting a retreating action following the German Spring Offensive (March - April 1918). Sources indicate that at the time of Gunner Pritchard's death the unit was in the vicinity of Contay firing on Dernacourt, but also suffering from return enemy shelling.They performed an orderly retreat, one section at a time on a daily basis and only retreating when subject to machine gun fire. Whilst being forced back they continued to fire when ever possible, to provide harassing bombardment. It is reported that during the retreat two of 210 Siege Battery four guns were destroyed.
He was born at Llanddeusant, Anglesey the son of Owen Pritchard and Catherine Pritchard (nee Edwards). He was the husband of Maggie Elizabeth Pritchard (nee Owen). They married at Elim Chapel, Llanddeusant on 11 May 1916. At this time his wife was resident at 1 Castle Street, Ruthin. They had two children, Mary Elizabeth Pritchard, born at Llanddeusant on 19 October 1916 and Gwilym Owen Pritchard, born at Holyhead on 1 December 1918.
In 1911 William Pritchard lived at Carnarvon Farm, Llantrisant, Anglesey, aged 18. He was employed as a Farm Horseman. In the same year his family lived at Llwyn Idris, Llanddeusant, Anglesey. The family consisted of Owen Pritchard (45), his wife Catherine (41) and two daughters, Nellie Blodwen Pritchard (10) and Mary E Pritchard (7). Also at the house at this time were Margaret Edwards (79), mother of Catherine, Willie Idris Jones (6) and Robert Cyril Jones (9 months). Owen originated from Llangaffo, Anglesey and was employed as a Hwsmon ar Fferm (Farm Bailiff/Foreman). His wife was born at Llanddeusant, as were the children. Other children not resident at this time were Jennie C Pritchard (b. about 1890) and Annie M Pritchard (b. about 1895).
In September 1919 his widow and children lived with his parents, Owen and Catherine Pritchard, at Hwsmondy, Garreglwyd, Holyhead. Also at the address were his two married sisters, Jennie C Hughes (29) and Annie M Hughes (24) and also his unmarried sister, Nellie Blodwen Pritchard (18). His father, Owen was now employed as the Farm Foreman for the Garreglwyd Farm and they all lived in the Foreman's House (Hwsmondy). It is probable that his married sisters' husbands were away from home, possibly on war service. William's widow and children later (1921?) resided at 15 Field Street, Holyhead. In December 1918 she was awarded an army widow's pension of 20 shillings and 5 pence a week for herself and the two children.
Awarded the Victory Medal and British War Medal.
Commemorated on the Poziers Memorial, France, Panel 10. He has no known grave. It is believed that he was commemorated on a plaque at the Metal Asylum, Denbigh. This building has now fallen into significant disrepair.
Photograph of William Pritchard, wife Margaret and daughter Mary by kind permission of Megan and Richard Metcalf (Granddaughter and Great-grandson)
Family History notes.
William Pritchard's son, Gwilym Owen Pritchard married Mair E Lynch at Holyhead in 1941. They had at least four children, all born at Holyhead - David Owen Pritchard (b. 1942), John Pritchard (b. 1946), Eluned Pritchard (b. 1954) and Derek Pritchard (b. 1957).
His sister Annie Mary Pritchard married David Hughes in 1917 at Holyhead.
His sister Jane Catherine Pritchard married William Hughes in 1916 at Pwllheli
His sister Nellie (Ellen) Blodwen Pritchard married William J Owen in 1929 at Holyhead.