Captain Thomas James Prichard M.C.
Identification
There was only one result for T J Prichard in the CWGC database and it
gave the 'other information' that he was from Liverpool. A further
confirmation that it is the correct person is the M.C. which is noted on the memorial
and the CWGC entry.
Family information
Thomas James Prichard was born in Liverpool on 17th July 1894. He was
baptised in St Cleopas' Church, Toxteth, on 8th August and the baptism record
shows that his parents were Thomas and Elizabeth Jane Prichard and they lived
at 6 Madeline St. Thomas was a Clerk.
In the 1911 census Thomas and Elizabeth Jane Prichard were living at 45
Tennyson St, Liverpool with their 6 children and Elizabeth's mother, Isabella
Holden.
Thomas James was their eldest child, in this census he was 16 years old
and working as a junior clerk in a shipping company office. His father was a
bookkeeper in a fruit broker’s office. We know that Thomas James went on to
work at the White Star Line company and was an employee of the company at the
time of the Titanic disaster.
Military information
Thomas Prichard has an entry in De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour, transcribed
here:
PRICHARD, THOMAS JAMES, M.C. Capt., 1st Battn.
(4th Foot) The King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regt) elder s.
of Thomas Prichard of Prince’s Park, Liverpool, by his wife Elizabeth J.,
dau of Thomas Holden; b Liverpool co. Lancaster,
17th July 1894; educ Liverpool Institute, where he was a member
of the O.T.C.; entered the service of the White Star Line in 1910 while
continuing his military training in the 6th (Territorial)
Battn. The King’s Liverpool Regt. Volunteered for active service on the
outbreak of war and was attached to the Army Cyclist’s Corps; was gazetted 2nd Lieut.
The South Lancashire Regt 18 Sept 1915; promoted Lieut 1 July
1917 and Capt 19 Oct of the same year. Served with the Expeditionary Force
in France from May 1916, being transferred to the King’s Own (Royal
Lancaster Regt) 28th March 1916, and was killed in action
near Arras 28th March 1918. Buried at Fampoux. His
commanding officer wrote: “He was killed while gallantly leading his men in
action. Thanks however to the impetus he had given his men, the gap was filled
and the line held by his company for the remainder of that day and the next
until they were relieved.” and a brother officer: “He was almost worshipped by
the men, who admired his wonderful quiet bravery under fire, his untiring
energy out of the line in doing all he could to entertain and provide comforts,
and his never-changing fairness to everyone and fearlessness in playing the
game.” The White Star Line, in an appreciation of the deceased officer also
wrote: “His death at the early age of 23 removes one who, in the short period
he was destined to serve in the White Star Line, gave promise of attaining the
same honourable position in the world of commerce that he achieved in the Army.
Essentially thorough in all he did and gifted with an unerring memory, his
somewhat serious manner covered a dry sense of humour which, coupled with a
generous and amiable disposition, endeared him alike for ability and character
to his colleagues.” He was awarded the M.C. (London Gazette 1 June 1917) for
special bravery and coolness in an attack by a hostile patrol, and was twice
mentioned in dispatches (London Gazettes 4 Jan and 22 May 1917) by F.M. Sir
Douglas Haig for gallant and distinguished service in the field; unm.
The medal rolls entry for Captain T. J. Prichard M.C. shows that he was
eligible for the Victory Medal and the British War Medal with the oak leaves
emblem to show he was mentioned in despatches, he would also have received a
certificate for each mention.
The medal index card shows that his father applied for his medals in
1922 and gave his address as 45 Tennyson Road.
Death and Commemoration
Captain Thomas J Prichard was killed in action on 28th
March 1918, aged 23. The fact of his death was noted in the war diary (below)
but no details.
28/3/1918 In Trenches
Enemy attack N of R Scarpe, Battn occupied MISSOURI, STOKE & LOGIC
trenches. Captain Pritchard killed. 2/Lts Murray, Frances, McCartney and
McPhereson wounded. ESSEX lost heavily, 2nd Lancs Fus and 1st
K.O. only left in Bde. Two Battn HQ in old Bde HQ LEMON TRENCH. Battn lost
about 70 casualties in O.R.
29-31st In the line. Battalion heavily shelled on 29th.
There is not much information about him in UK Soldiers Died in the Great
War 1914-1919
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Name:
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Thomas James Prichard
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Death
Date:
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28 Mar
1918
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|
Rank:
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Temp
Captain
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Regiment:
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King's
Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
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Battalion:
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1st
Battalion
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Decoration:
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MC
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Type of
Casualty:
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Killed
in action
|
Thomas J Prichard was also commemorated on a plaque at his old school,
The Liverpool Institute, this memorial was dismantled in the 1980s and lost
then recovered, restored and rededicated on the original site (now part
of Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts) click here to go to
the Liverpool Institute Old Boys website which has
information and pictures of the rededication.
Captain
Thomas J Prichard was buried in a small military cemetery. Fortunately his
grave marker survived until his body was exhumed after the war and he was
reburied in Piont du Jour Military Cemetery, Athies in grave II.D.21. Other
soldiers buried near him were unidentified and are now only ‘Known Unto God’.
His
family chose to have the following inscription added to his headstone:
The Lord gave, The Lord hath taken
away, Blessed be His name.
Probate and soldiers’ effects records show that Thomas J Prichard left
his effects to his father.
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