Harry Pridmore

Worksop Guardian 14 April 1916“Another Worksop soldier has made the supreme sacrifice on the field of Honour. Pte Harry Pridmore 12th Sherwood Foresters, of 62 John’s St Worksop. Pte Pridmore was a single man enjoying wide popularity, lived with his sister, Mrs Fricker at the address named, and was the son of the late Mr and Mrs Thomas Pridmore, of Woodend. He was 39 years of age, and enlisted in Sept: 1914 very soon after the outbreak of War- formally working at the Shireoaks Colliery. Sometime ago news was received in Worksop that Pte Pridmore had been killed, the information being conveyed by Pte George Foster of John St:, who told the facts to his wife. Pte Pridmore had been killed at an unknown place in France on March 22nd. The Rev: and Hon: Captain A Gillies Wilkin 1st C.N.M Hospital 3rd Canadian Division has written a sympathetic letter to Mrs Fricker, and says that the poor fellow was killed on March 24th. In the course of his letter he says:_I am writing these few lines to offer you my sympathy of the death in action of your brother. You will have heard by now that he was killed on Tuesday March 21st 1916. As I am living quite close by, and was on duty as Chaplain in the district, I made the arrangements and took up a burial service. One cannot offer you consolation, for it is not possible for us to properly realise your loss or your trouble, but I pray that the good God in His love and pity will send you consolation and comfort, and will grant unto him rest and peace. He is buried in a little Grave Yard prettily situated. Near to him are several men of his regiment, and there we left him to rest in peace in a grave where a Briton has laid him. The Grave is registered. And could be seen at any time on application to the Graves Registration Commission B.E.F France. A cross will be erected shortly, and it may be some comfort and consolation – believe me. Your Truly, A Gillies Wilken, Chaplain and Hon: Captain.”Lord Kitchener has expressed the sympathy of the King and Queen to Mrs Fricker in the following terms: The King and Queen command’s me to assure you of the true sympathy of his Majesty and the Queen in your sorrow- Kitchener. To Mrs Fricker and the other members of the family the sincere sympathy of the wide circle of friends will be extended, but in this their hour of bitter trial they have the consolation to know that Pte Pridmore died a glorious death for England my England

Cemetery:- Menin Road South Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave Reference: 1.H.31. Research by Colin Dannatt. In 2024, Harry Pridmore’s British and Victory Medals were returned to his family. See ‘Great War hero’s medals reunited with family after his story was told on website’ by Oliver Pridmore. Nottingham Post, Tuesday October 8th 2024 p.4.