Herbert William Prigmore – Welsh Regiment, 2nd Battalion

Serjeant Herbert William Prigmore – Welsh Regiment, 2nd Battalion

Early Life

Born in 1880 at Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, Herbert William Prigmore was the son of William Prigmore and Alice Mole, who had married in 1865 at Bedford. Census records provide a clear picture of the family’s circumstances during Herbert’s early years.

1881 Census

In 1881, the Prigmore family lived at Box Edge Place, Finedon, where William, aged 38, worked as an Iron Stone Labourer (Miner), and Alice, aged 34, was employed as a Washerwoman. Their children at that time were Charles H. (11), Elizabeth A. (8), Nelly (6), Edwin (4)—all attending school—and Herbert, then 1 year old.

Family Life

1891 Census

By the 1891 Census, the family had moved to 1 Furnace Street, Wellingborough. William, now 48, was recorded as a Labourer, while Alice, 45, continued her domestic work. The household had grown to include Elizabeth (18), a Shove Machinist; Nellie (16), a Shove Fitter; Edwin (14), a Shove Furnisher; Herbert (12), working as an Errand Boy; and younger siblings Gertrude (9), Laura (7), Clara (4), and Frederick (1).

Marriage and Move to Swansea

In 1903, Herbert married Clara Elizabeth Spurrier at St Margaret’s, Westminster, London.

1911 Census

By 1911, Herbert and Clara were living at 33 Edgware Road, Uplands, Swansea, where Herbert, aged 32, worked as a Goods Guard. Clara, 30, was noted as Devon‑born. Their children were Ada (6), Vera (4), and Bertie (2), and the household also included a young visitor, Aileen Evans, aged 6 months.

Herbert William Prigmore
Kingsbridge Cemetery
credit - findagrave

Military Service

Herbert originally enlisted with the Grenadier Guards, one of the most distinguished regiments of the British Army, before being transferred to the Welsh Regiment, 2nd Battalion, where he served as a Serjeant. His service placed him among the early wartime soldiers drawn from Swansea’s railway and industrial communities.

Death and Burial

Herbert died in Swansea on 30 April 1915, during the first year of the Great War. He was laid to rest at Kingsbridge Cemetery, where his grave stands among Swansea’s early wartime burials and remains a testament to his service and the life shaped by labour, family, and duty.