Ernest Edmond George Prickett Rifleman 2299 Monmouthshire RegimentKilled in action 8th May 1915
Weekly Argus June 12th 1915
Ernest was the son of Sidney and Annie Prickett of Mounton. He was a member of the Chepstow Territorials, which formed E Company of the 1st Battalion of the Monmouthshire Regiment. Ernest and his comrades assembled at the Drill Hall, Chepstow, on August 5th 1914, under the leadership of Captain Charles Evill, also of Mounton. Their enthusiastic departure is described in the Weekly Argus extract opposite.
They spent the next few months digging coastal defences in Suffolk, sailed to France in February 1915 and were sent to the front in March. On May 4th they were rested after two weeks of continuous combat in the second battle of Ypres. Casualties had been moderate but only one of the Chepstow men had been injured and spirits were high. A great victory was expected soon.
Then late on the 7th May they were rushed to Frezenberg on the tip of the Ypres Salient – an almost indefensible bulge in the Allied line. They had no air support, little artillery support and were heavily outnumbered but made a heroic stand. At a cost of great suffering they fought an organised retreat and held a straightened line, preventing the fall of Ypres and hence German access to the Channel ports.
About 20 of those who had left Chepstow in such high spirits were killed on that day, including Ernest. The memorial plaque shown opposite was installed in Mounton Church by the parishioners and includes the quotation
“Soon soon to faithful warriors comes their rest
Sweet is the calm of paradise blest”
ERNEST PRICKETT
his memorial plaque in Mounton church
Weekly Argus report of the departure of the 1st Mons on 5th August 1914:
”They assembled at the Drill Hall on Wednesday morning and extraordinary excitement and activity prevailed in the town. Inside the drill Hall all the bustle and haste of the work of preparation went forward smoothly . . . .About 20 extra recruits . . . were enrolled for the stipulated period, and these brought the total strength up to about 120, with Capt Evill in command. . . .
Tremendous enthusiasm prevailed as the hour of their departure approached and the streets were lined with people from all parts of the district. The fife and drum band led the way and en route to the station handkerchiefs were waved and farewells exchanged .The crush at the railway station was enormous and the sight was a memorable one. The Territorials themselves were in high spirits, but there were some touching scenes on the platforms. As the 4.30 steamed away loud cheers were raised by the thousands of people who thronged the station and the approaches.”
and the contrasting testament of a survivor of the terrible 8th of May
From Weekly Argus of 5th October 1918
