Mexborough and Swinton Times December 14, 1918

Lance Corporal William Pryor
East Lancashire Regiment

Lance Corporal William Pryor of 22, Shelley street, Mexboro’, is of the opinion that Germany was beaten in 1917. The sufferings of the prisoners from insufficient food were terrible, though they were not much worse than the hardships the Germans were themselves having to endure.

Lance Corporal. Pryor was taken at Hardecourt and has since been employed on munition dumps at various places immediately behind the lines.

Work was or the hardest, hours of the longest, and the men were subjected two great physical strain. Upon the slightest provocation blows were dealt them by the guards, and severe punishment inflicted upon them.

‘Through March and April last, the prsoners were compelled to work far into the night and were fortunate if they were able to snatch five hours’ rest from the 24.

When the enemy was hurled back discipline so far as the prisoners were concerned was relaxed somewhat, though the strain of heavy work during the day and long marches, told pitifully on our men, starved scantily clad, and with boots that offered but little protection for their feet.

Pryor was working in Valenciennes the day previous to its capture by the British.  thisIn a small village on the Belgian frontier, on the morning of November 12, the news of the armistice, was communicated to them by an English lady. Supervision by’ the German guards having ceased, the men set off in the direction of Namur, being assisted en route by the hospitable Belgians, for whom Pryor has nothing but the highest praise.

During his first three months of captivity Pror lost nearly ‘three stones in weight.