PRIVATE FREDERICK JOHN PRIER: 28226
11th. Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment
Frederick was born in Middle Street Bradpole. He was the eldest of four boys born to Henry and Mary Prier – Lewis, Walter and Bertram – and he had an older sister – Bessie.
His fathe Henry, worked as an agricultural labourer moving later to find employment in a local coal yard. His sister Bessie was a dressmaker.
When he was fourteen, Frederick was not living in the family home, but he must have been living or lodging nearby because he married a Dorset girl – May Hile in Sherborne in 1910. The family made their home back in Bridport, Frederick returning to his roots in Middle Street. In 1911 their son, Edward was born and Frederick supported his family by working as a domestic gardener.
With the outbreak of war Frederick enlisted with the Devonshire Regiment but was later transferred to 11th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment. This Battalion was formed in June 1916 and was sent to France and Flanders on July 24th. They joined the allied forces fighting in the Somme Offensive, which had started on July 1st 1916.
Frederick survived his first few days on the front, but less than a week after arrival, he was killed in action on July 30th.
Frederick is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme.