George Archibald Marshall Pryde
Attended Morrison's Academy, Crieff, Scotland (a boy's private school), Daniel Stewart's Edinburgh (now Stewart Melville College) and Waid Academy in Anstruther.
He played rugby for the Howe of Fife team and continued to play whilst in the RAF.
Before enlisting in the RAF in 1933 he worked in an archtictural office in St Andrew's, Scotland.
George had no conection to Mansfield, the reason he is in the Book of Remembrance appears to be that his wife came to live in Mansfield when she married her third husband, Alan Pearson Redman. When she died in 1985 she was living at Farnsfield.
- Family History
- Military history
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Son of the Revd John Marshall Pryde and Jean Marshall Pryde of the Manse, Kilrenny, Anstruther.
He had 3 brothers: John Marshall born 1915, William Symington 21/1/1917-24/9/1939 and David Douglas 17/4/1918-9/6/1942. All 3 served in the RAF. John from 1/7/1937 to 3/12/1927 when he was discharded. He joined the Sutherland Higlanders in August 1940 and served as a 2nd Lt. William and David both died on active service. David was awarded the DFC.
He also had 2 sisters, Jean Marshall born 1907 and Helen Christina born in 1912.
A memorial was erected at the church in Anstruther by the boy's father.
In loving memory of their son
Flying Officer William Symington Pryde
Who was killed on active service
On 24th September 1939 aged 22 years
Interred here.
and their sons
Squadron Leader
George Archibald Marshall Pryde
Killed in action 18.6.1940 aged 30 years
and Squadron Leader
David Douglas Pryde D.F.C
killed in action 9.6.1942 aged 24 years
The boy's father had served has a chaplin in WW1.
George married Honor Vardon (nee Chamberlain) on 17th December 1938.
Honor had married George Arthur Vardon, a sub lieutenant in the Fleet Air Arm on HMS Glorious. in Alexandria in 1936 but he had been killed 5th February 1937 in an aircraft accident.
Honor was a member of the W.R.E.Ns, and was a 3rd Officer with a seniority date of 14th August 1940.
She married Alan Pearson Redman in Kirkwall, Orkney Isles in November 1942. Honor was stationed at RAF Sparrowhawk, Kirkwall, Orkney in 1942. Alan was from Mansfield and served as a major in the Royal Artillery.
Enlisted in 1933 and was a pilot officer from 2nd September 1933, promoted to Flight Lieutenant on 3rd September 1937 and to Squadron Leader on 1st August 1939. He was awarded the D.S.O posthumously on 9th July 1940.
George was on aircraft ferrying services and was piloting a Benheim serial No L9263 from Tangmere, via Marigane, Provance to Malta. On take off from Marigane they suffered engine failure and hit a boundry fence. The next day they took off in a different Blenheim IV serial No L9334 but overshot Malta and crashed into the sea off the coast of Tunisia. George and the w/op Sgt Scott were killed instantly and the other crew member, Sgt Hibbert died 2 days later.
Dundee Courier: 12/12/1938: Son of Manse to Wed.
The wedding is to take place shortly of Flt Lieu George Pryde RAF, son of Rev J Marshall Pryde B.D. The Manse, Kilrenny, Anstruther and Mrs Pryde to Mrs Honor Vardon 5 All Souls Place, W1, daughter of Mrs Gurney-Dixon of 7 The Close, Winchester.
Flt Lt Pryde, who until recently has been serving in Malta with HMS Glorious has been attached to the Fleet Air Arm for the last four years and now returns home with a permanent commission. He enlisted as a commissioned officer six years ago after a period in a St Andrew's architectural office.
A member of the Howe of Fife Rugby Club he continued to take an active part in the game and at Malta captained the RAF team. Flt Lt Pryde who was educated at Morrison's. Daniel Stewart's and Waid Academy is 28 years of age and is one of three sons in the RAF.
Both of Honor's first 2 husbands had served on HMS Glorious, an aircraft carrier, as part of the Fleet Air Arm and it may be that George knew Honor's first husband Gerard.
No photos