Thomas Tannatt Pryce
Captain, 4th Battalion. Grenadier Guards
- Register No.
- 1009 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Captain (register: Acting Captain) all Captains →
- Unit
- 4th Battalion. Grenadier Guards all Grenadier Guards VCs →
- Date of action
- 11–12 April 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 22nd May 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Born
- the 17th January 1886 at the Hague, Holland
- Died
- in action on 13th April 1918.(After being reported Missing)
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium, and Llandysilio Church and War Memorial
Digest of citation
After being ordered to attack a village, he led two platoons forward, moving from house house, killing some 30 of the enemy, seven of whom he accounted for personally. The following day, along with some 30 or 40 men, the remainder of his company having become casualties. Starting around 8:15am , his left flank was surrounded by the enemy and they were subjected to enfilade fire. He and his men beat off no less than four hostile attacks during the day, killing many of the enemy. Bringing up three field guns, to within 300 yards of his position, the enemy, firing over open sights, were gradually knocking in the trench. By 6:15 that evening the enemy were within 60 yards of his trench. Captain Pryce, called on his men to cheer loudly, charge the enemy and fight to the last. With the Captain in the lead they left the trench and by using their bayonets, drove the enemy back some 100 yards. The enemy approached again, 30 minutes later, in greater numbers and the captain had only 17 men left and not one round of ammunition. Determined not to surrender, he again led his men in a charge. They were last seen in a fierce hand-to-hand struggle with a superior number of the enemy. Captain Pryce, with approximately 40 men had held up an enemy battalion for over 10 hours and undoubtedly stopped the advance through the British line and had a great influence on the battle. He was reported missing on 13th April 1918 , but he was later found to have died on that date
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
PRYCE, Thomas Tannatt. (reg No. 1009).
Captain. 4th Battalion. Grenadier Guards.
London Gazetted on 22nd May 1918.
Born on the 17th January 1886 at the Hague, Holland.
Killed in action on 13th April 1918.(After being reported Missing)
Memorial at Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium, and Llandysilio Church and War Memorial.
Digest of Citation reads: After being ordered to attack a village, he led two platoons forward, moving from house house, killing some 30 of the enemy, seven of whom he accounted for personally. The following day, along with some 30 or 40 men, the remainder of his company having become casualties. Starting around 8:15am , his left flank was surrounded by the enemy and they were subjected to enfilade fire. He and his men beat off no less than four hostile attacks during the day, killing many of the enemy. Bringing up three field guns, to within 300 yards of his position, the enemy, firing over open sights, were gradually knocking in the trench. By 6:15 that evening the enemy were within 60 yards of his trench. Captain Pryce, called on his men to cheer loudly, charge the enemy and fight to the last. With the Captain in the lead they left the trench and by using their bayonets, drove the enemy back some 100 yards. The enemy approached again, 30 minutes later, in greater numbers and the captain had only 17 men left and not one round of ammunition. Determined not to surrender, he again led his men in a charge. They were last seen in a fierce hand-to-hand struggle with a superior number of the enemy. Captain Pryce, with approximately 40 men had held up an enemy battalion for over 10 hours and undoubtedly stopped the advance through the British line and had a great influence on the battle. He was reported missing on 13th April 1918 , but he was later found to have died on that date.
Additional information:. Captain Pryce was awarded the Military Cross (MC) Gazetted on 23rd December 1915. He was later awarded a Bar to his Military Cross, Gazetted on 19th July, 1916. He was married on 11th March 1908 at Ashwell, Hertfordshire, to Margaret Sybil Fordham. They had three daughters, Rosalie Doreen Margaret; Violet Rita, and Pauline Leonora Evelyn. Military Record to be added.
Additional information
Captain Pryce was awarded the Military Cross (MC) Gazetted on 23rd December 1915. He was later awarded a Bar to his Military Cross, Gazetted on 19th July, 1916. He was married on 11th March 1908 at Ashwell, Hertfordshire, to Margaret Sybil Fordham. They had three daughters, Rosalie Doreen Margaret; Violet Rita, and Pauline Leonora Evelyn. Military Record to be added.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium, and Llandysilio Church and War Memorial
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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