William N Price (1882 - 1914)

William Nock Price was born in Shrewsbury where he was baptised at St Mary's on 4th September, 1882. He was the son of Richard Price, a builder, and his wife Anne. They lived in Severn Street, Castle Fields, later moving to Park Street.

By 1901 William was working as a rural postman in Church Stretton. Some time after this he became a soldier. William served in the 12th Lancers - a cavalry regiment - as William Pryce. When he enlisted he gave Worfield as his place of residence.

With the outbreak of war, William was posted straight to France, arriving on the 15th August. He would have taken part in the relatively mobile fighting during the first month of the war during which the German advance came near to Paris. Between the 5th and the 9th September the 12th Lancers were involved in the Battle of the Marne at which the German advance was halted. William Pryce was killed in action on 10th September as the Germans were making a fighting retreat to the high ground of the Chemin des Dames. He is buried in Neuilly St. Front French National Cemetery.

Private William Pryce, 399, 12th Lancers (Prince of Wales's Royal) was awarded the Victory and British Medals and the 1914 Star. Sadly, there seems to have been no one to claim his medals.