231988 Pte. William Pritchard Australian Imperial Force 4th Btn. from:Bethnal Green, London (d.6th-9th Aug 1915) It took me five years to track down my grandfather, as my nanny had lied about where he died, due to family reasons. There had also been a family row (which my dad remembered) and my dad never saw his father's family again. My grandfather was killed in action between 6th and 9th August 1915 at Lone Pine, Gallipoli. Why he joined the AIF I have no idea. He was born in Brick Lane, London in 1890, married nanny in Bethnal Green in 1913 and my dad was born in 1914.
William Pritchard enlisted in the AIF at Liverpool Camp, Australia in November 1914. He landed at ANZAC Cove on 25th April 1915 between 11 and 12 pm. The first time I went to see him, (and I was the first person to go there in 90 years to see him) I made him a promise that I would be there at ANZAC on 25th April 2015, as everyone had seemed to forget about him except me.
I was there on the 26th, as on the 25th ANZAC was closed to the public, but was able to cruise past ANZAC about 9am that morning. That is a trip I will never forget nor the atmosphere at ANZAC and Lone Pine on the 26th April 2015.
Lone Pine! Lone Pine! Our hearts are numbly aching
For those who come no more,
Our boys who sleep the sleep that knows no waking,
Besides the Dardan's shore.
Through all the years, with glory sad and sombre,
Their names will deathless shine;
No bugle call can wake them from their slumber:
Lone Pine! Lone Pine!
Sleep on my brave heart, found at last, William Pritchard (my grandad).
|