William Prickett (buried 1917)

At a glance

At a glance
Surname: 
Prickett
First name: 
William
Other Christian names: 
Robert
Gender: 
Male
Children: 
Yes
Burial number: 
882
Born: 
25/8/1853
Died: 
19/11/1917
Buried: 
28/11/1917
Occupation: 
Gentleman Cadet; Retired Major;
Heene Hallmark: 
No
Commonwealth War Grave: 
No

The Grave

The grave
Cemetery area: 
SB
Cemetery row: 
1
Cemetery plot: 
1
what3words location: 
https://what3words.com/create.land.petty
Burial remains: 
Unknown
The headstone
Endowed grave: 
Yes
Headstone description: 
EndowedGrave: Cut grass and keep tidy
Headstone inscription: 
In loving memory of Lancelot Prickett Captain R.G.A. and R.F.C. only son of Major W.R. Prickett Late R.A. born Sept 3 1888, killed June 2 1916 in a Flying accident at Nertheravon. Also of William Robert Prickett Major Late Royal Artillery born August 25th 1853 died November 19th 1917. Also of Maria Stuart wife of Major W.R. Prickett died June 4th 1935 R.I.P.

Life story

Life story

William Robert Prickett was born in Bridlington, Yorkshire, on 25th August 1853 to a wealthy family, his father, Thomas Prickett, 39yrs, was a Deputy Magistrate and Landowner, his mother, Elizabeth Ann, 33yrs, nee Rolleston. He had 2 brothers, Marmaduke, born 1845, and Lancelot George, 1857. In 1861, the family employed a butler and 9 domestic staff. 

William was a gentleman cadet at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich Arsenal in 1871, aged 17yrs. He joined the Royal Artillery and was commissioned in 1873, he served in India from March 1876 to January 1878. On 5th July 1882 in Fowey, Cornwall, William married Maria Stuart Treffry, 22yrs. They had 2 children, Doris, born 1884 in Kensington, and Lancelot, born on 3rd September 1888, in Ilfracombe. 

Newpark House
Newpark House

In 1882, now a Captain, he was posted to Ireland for five years and seconded as an Adjutant of Auxiliary Forces to the 7th Brigade South Ireland Division, in Ennis, Co. Clare, where he resided at a country property named Newpark House. In 1889, due to illness, William retired from the service with the rank of Major, receiving a gratuity. 

By 1891, William and the family had moved to Worthing, living at Worfield, St. Botolph's Road. 

William and Maria's only son, Lancelot, entered the Royal Military Academy in 1908 and saw action in the 1914 War in France. He was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps and whilst training as a pilot he was tragically killed in an aircraft crash in Wiltshire, in 1916. 

William Robert Prickett died after a brief illness from gastritis, aged 64yrs, on November 19th, 1917, in Worthing. Probate was granted to his widow, Maria S. Prickett, Doris Baker, (wife of Reverend Alexander George Baker) and Mortimer Ernest Ruffer, Banker. Effects £8208 1s. Value 2020 - £573K.

Burial researcher: 
Maggi Martin

Further information

Birth
Date born: 
25/08/1853
Marriage
Marriage 1
Spouse one first names: 
Maria Stuart
Spouse one last name: 
Treffry
Marriage one date: 
05/07/1882
Marriage one address: 
Fowey, Cornwall, England

Death

Death (details)
Date of death: 
19/11/1917
Age (at time of death): 
64
Cause of death: 
Gastritis
Address at time of death: 
Worfield, St Botolph's Road, Worthing, Sussex, England
Obituary

Worthing Gazette – Wednesday 21st November 1917.

DEATH OF MAJOR PRICKETT

Service in India.      Some of His Local Activities.

Many will learn with regret of the death of Major Prickett, who had been a resident of West Worthing for a period of about nineteen years and was held in the highest esteem by those who enjoyed his friendship. His death took place on Monday morning, from gastritis, after a brief illness. Mrs. Prickett was the youngest daughter of the Rev. E. J. Treffry, D.C.L., of Place, Fowey, Cornwall, and alike to her and to her married daughter, who is the wife of the Rev. G. Baker, Vicar of Shipley, sincere sympathy will be extended in their great and unexpected bereavement. It was a great grief to Major and Mrs. Prickett when, in June last year, they lost their only son, Captain Lancelot Prickett, of the Royal Artillery and Royal Flying Corps, who was killed in a flying accident at Netheravon.  The funeral of Major Prickett is to take place at Heene to-morrow (Thursday), the service at St. Botolph's Church being appointed to take place at two o'clock.

Military Career and Civilian Pursuits.

Fourth son of Colonel Thomas Prickett, a Justice of the Peace and Deputy Lieutenant of the County, of The Avenue, Bridlington, Yorkshire, the late Major William Robert Prickett was educated at Appledurcombe, Isle of Wight. Then he went to a crammer and passed into the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich. On entering the Army, he joined the Royal Artillery, his period of service including a considerable time spent in India. His Military career was brought to an end by a serious illness in 1889, and he retired with the rank of Major. When he came back to England he lived for a short time in Devonshire, and removed to West Worthing some nineteen years ago, his residence being Worfield, St. Botolph's-road. Major Prickett, who was sixty-four years of age, acted for some years as Honorary Secretary of the West Worthing Croquet Tournament, and his courtesy and kindliness were characteristics that were ever commented upon. He was also a keen golfer, being officially connected with the Worthing Club and the Littlehampton and Shoreham Clubs. He was Captain of the Worthing Club for the last three years, only retiring in October. There were two War movements with which he was usefully associated, for he was a member of the Relief Fund Committee, and some months ago he was appointed to the Military Advisory Committee for this district. One of his hobbies was the growing of carnations, and he produced some excellent specimens.

Personal effects
Executors: 
Maria Stuart Prickett status: Widow: Doris Baker status: wife of Rev. Alexander George Baker: Mortimer Ernest Ruffer status: Banker
Probate pounds: 
£8,208

Census and miscellaneous information

Census information
1861 census: 

Living at 13, Westgate, The Avenue, Bridlington, Yorkshire. Thomas Prickett, 47yrs, Deputy Magistrate and Landowner, wife, Elizabeth Ann, 41yrs, 3 sons, Marmaduke, 16yrs, William Robert, 7yrs, and Lancelot George, 4yrs. The family employed 10 staff, including a butler, 2 nurses, cook, laundress, gardener, groom and 3 housemaids.

1871 census: 

William Robert Prickett, 17yrs, Gentleman Cadet, Royal Military Academy, Woolwich Arsenal

1891 census: 

Living at 14, Torrs Park, Ilfracombe, N. Devon. William R. Prickett, 37yrs, Retired Major, Royal Artillery, wife, Maria,30yrs, daughter, Doris, 7yrs, son, Lancelot, 2yrs, plus 3 domestic servants

1901 census: 

Living at Worfield, St. Botolph's Road, Worthing. William R. Prickett, 47yrs, Retired Major, Royal Artillery, wife, Maria, 40yrs, daughter, Doris, 17yrs, plus 2 domestic servants.

1911 census: 

Living at Worfield, St. Botolph's Road, Worthing. William R. Prickett, 57yrs, Retired Major, Royal Artillery, wife, Maria S. 50yrs, Doris, 27yrs, plus 2 domestic servants.

Miscellaneous information

Appledurcombe House where William was educated
Appledurcombe House where William was educated

Appledurcombe House

Appledurcombe House, when William was educated there, was known as Dr Pound's Academy for young gentlemen. The house has an interesting and entertaining history and is reputed to be the most haunted house on the Isle of Wight.