This account of David William Pritchard has been researched and written by his nephew who is also named David Pritchard. David is the son of Edward Pritchard and has had a lifelong interest in Dyserth having spent his holidays there as a child staying with his Aunt Mary. He remembers the family home – Holly Bank – which is not far from the ‘T’ junction above and to the right of the garage at the end of Thomas’ Ave.
“David William Pritchard was born in 1880 in Dyserth. His father David was a Dyserth man, and his mother Maria came from Llanasa. He lived in Dyserth with his parents and brother John (born 1875) Edward, my father (born 1886) and sister Marie (born 1883)
He enlisted at Wrexham on 17 September 1914 into the RWF 1st Battalion aged 34. His trade was given as mason and quarryman, unmarried, and at that time he lived at Holly Bank, Dyserth with his mother, now a widow her husband having died in 1895. He had already been in the 2nd Volunteer Battalion of the RWF for 8 years and 252 days. I have a copy of his form of attestation for one year’s service. He was mobilised on 17 September 1914 and was “home”, presumably training, until 11 November 1914 when he was posted to France.
From his records in Harwarden I can see that he was involved in the 1st Battle of Ypres, Neuve-Chappelle, Festubert, Loos and Fricourt. He was killed in action age 36 on 29 August 1916 on the attack on the village of Ginchy in the area of Delville Wood, Battle of the Somme.
I have his three medals and a copy of a form “acknowledging the receipt of his medals” and signed by his mother. There is no date on the form.
His name also appears on the oak panels in the memorial arch in Bangor. When I went to look at it a few years ago, it crossed my mind that 80 years before me, his mother sister and brothers might have stood where I was standing to read his name.”
