Lieutenant T T Pryce VC MC


On 11 April 1918 at Vieux Berquin in France, Captain Thomas Pryce led two platoons of the 4th Battalion, Grenadier Guards in a successful attack on a village. Early next day he was occupying a position with some 40 men, the rest having become casualties. He beat off 4 attacks during the day, but by evening the enemy were within 60 yards of his trench. A bayonet charge led by Captain Pryce drove them back some 100 yards, but he only had 17 men left, and no ammunition, when another attack came. He again led a bayonet charge and was last seen engaged in a fierce hand-to-hand struggle against overwhelming odds. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, gazetted on 22 May 1918.

The photo shows Captain Thomas Tannatt Pryce with a medal ribbon for his Military Cross for which he gained a bar. He also has two wound stripes on his left sleeve. He was born in the Hague on 17th Jan 1886 but spent his life either in Llandysilio, Montgomeryshire, or Maidenhead in Berkshire. His death is recorded as being 13 April 1918, following the last few desperate days at Vieux Berquin. His name is on the memorial at Ploegsteert, also at Llandysilio, and at the Stock Exchange. He was married and had been educated at Shrewsbury School.


Regimental details | Soldiers


Armed Forces | Art and Culture | Articles | Biographies | Colonies | Discussion | Glossary | Home | Library | Links | Map Room | Sources and Media | Science and Technology | Search | Student Zone | Timelines | TV & Film | Wargames


by Stephen Luscombe