Michael Pritchard

Soldier | Died in 2009

RMP Lance Corporal who died in Afghanistan gun battle

Lance Corporal Michael Pritchard, a Royal Military Policeman from Eastbourne, East Sussex, was killed in a gun battle while serving in Afghanistan on 20 December, 2009.

The 22-year-old was hit in the Sangin area of central Helmand.

He was a member of the 4th Regiment, Royal Military Police.

Michael David Pritchard was born in Maidstone, Kent on 11 January, 1987, but lived in Eastbourne from the age of one and went to school there.

After leaving school and college, he enlisted into the Adjutant General's Corps (Royal Military Police) in July 2007 and on completion of Phase 1 and 2 Training was posted to 160 Provost Company, 4th Regiment Royal Military Police, in Aldershot as a General Police Duties Junior Non-Commissioned Officer.

Shortly after this, he deployed to Kenya as part of his training for Afghanistan. He arrived there in October 2009 attached to 4th Battalion The Rifles.

LCpl Pritchard's family paid the following tribute: "With great sadness we say goodbye to our beloved son, a lover of life who has lived life to the full and has brought great joy to all those who are lucky enough to know him.

"A light that shines brightly, our precious son, brother, grandson, boyfriend and special friend to all, we are very proud of you in all that you have done and achieved and you will always be in our hearts now and evermore. God bless our darling boy from all of your family and friends."

He was the 241st British service person to die in Afghanistan since operations began there in 2001.

You can add your own tributes for Lance Corporal Michael Pritchard to the military tributes paid below.

Related tributes:
Links:
- Ministry of Defence

Your Memories

Lieutenant Colonel Debbie Poneskis, Commanding Officer, 4th Regiment, Royal Military Police said:

"Lance Corporal Pritchard had only been in the Royal Military Police since July 2007 but he very quickly made a huge impact on all of us. It is tragic that we have been robbed of such a promising Junior Non-Commissioned Officer and one who was everything you would want in a Military Policeman.

"He was a professional and robust soldier and one who was both physically and morally courageous. He was absolutely committed to providing policing advice where it mattered most, alongside his Infantry colleagues on patrol and as part of the team.

"A cheeky chap, whose laughter was infectious, and whose sincerity and generous spirit touched the lives of many, Lance Corporal Pritchard made us smile every day and we will miss him very much." Lasting Tribute — 22.12.2009

Major Phil Hacker, Officer Commanding 160 Provost Company, said:

"Lance Corporal Pritchard was a gregarious, outgoing and hardworking soldier. His enthusiasm was matched only by his superb sense of humour. He truly was one of the central characters of the Company. Utterly professional and wholly dependable this much-loved soldier will be missed by us all." Lasting Tribute — 22.12.2009

Major Richard Streatfeild Officer Commanding, A Company, 4th Battalion The Rifles, said:

"I first met Lance Corporal Pritchard or "Pritch" as he was universally known by A Company in July when he joined us for training in UK. Pritch managed to break down barriers between Riflemen and the RMP. He was a consummate soldier and policeman.

"During operations through shared success, hardship and danger those attached to the Company from other Regiments and Corps become brothers in arms. Pritch was a brother. He won the respect of all ranks for his willingness to go everywhere with us.

"He was a volunteer for the most demanding tasks. Most recently he has been attached to a Platoon in a small patrol base and they feel his loss most keenly. We grieve for a comrade but our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends who have known him longer than us.

"It was a great privilege to have served with him, he was a star who burned brightly, if all too briefly, in our firmament." Lasting Tribute — 22.12.2009