As well as being one 0f the greatest players produced by the Newport club – he made 219 appearances in 11 years – he won 14 caps for Wales. He played in games in the Triple Crown season of 1905 and the inaugural Grand Slam campaign of 1908.
However good he was on the field of play, it was in his role as a commissioned officer second in the 12th Battalion South Wales Borderers that made him stand out even more. Promoted to Captain in November 1915, he went to the Western Front with his battalion in June 1916.
On the night of 12 August, 1916 he led a trench raid near Loos to capture a German prisoner. Although the raid was successful in its objective, Pritchard was seriously wounded and was carried to No. 1 Casualty Clearing Station a few miles behind the front at Chocques.
His last reported words were to ask if they had got the “Hun”, and when told they had, he replied ‘Well, I have done my bit.’ Pritchard died of his wounds at the clearing station two days later on 14 August 1916 and is buried in Chocques Military Cemetery. He left behind a wife and two children
Newport RFC have linked with St Woolos Cathedral to host an evening illustrated talk on the life of Pritchard. Some of the amazing collection of rugby jerseys he amassed during his stellar career will be on display on the night.
Rugby historian and author Peter Jones, who wrote the definitive book on the life of Charlie Pritchard, ‘He did his Bit’, will tell the story of Pritchard’s life and his close association with the town of Newport and its world-renowned rugby club.
The event starts at 19:30 on Thursday, 17 November with access to the cathedral after 19:00. Tea and coffee will be provided and there will be a collection in aid of the cathedrals ‘Pantry on the Hill’ fund for supporting children suffering from acute food poverty.
This promises to be a superb evening. Charles Pritchard’s achievements in life, on the rugby pitch and the fields of war before laying down his life for his country is a story that everyone should hear and be proud of.
For more details contact Kevin Jarvis at Newport RFC: commercial@newportrfc.co.uk
