PRITCHARD, RICHARD JOHN
Rank:
Service No:
Date of Death:
Age:
Regiment/Service:
Grave Reference:
Text on stone:
Fusilier
14654832
23/09/1944
19
The Royal Welch Fusiliers 4th Bn.
I. E. 17.
Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends
Additional information:
Son of Walter and Elsie May Pritchard, of Coleholm, Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
Initially buried at the village of Oerle.
From surviving service records, the following outline of Richard John Pritchard’s life and military service can be reconstructed.
Richard John Pritchard was born on 7 May 1925 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire. Before enlistment he worked as a shop assistant. He was not married. His physical description records him as being 5 feet 7¾ inches tall, with brown eyes and dark brown hair.
He enlisted in the British Army on 15 July 1943 and initially joined the General Service Corps. On 26 August 1943 he was posted to the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. Later, on 26 July 1944, he transferred to the Royal Welch Fusiliers.
Richard John Pritchard embarked for service in North West Europe on 16 July 1944.
He was killed in action on 23 September 1944.
Shrewsberry Chronicle 21 September 1945