Pictures by Paul Gibson, Sussex Press Agency
Parts of Eastbourne have come to a stand still today as the funeral of an Eastbourne soldier takes place in the town.
The funeral cortege made its way past Eastbourne College at lunchtime where colleagues and school children bowed their heads in respect. Lance Corporal Michael David Pritchard of the 4th Regiment, Royal Military Police, died whilst serving in Afghanistan. He was killed as a result of small arms fire in the Sangin area, in central Helmand Province on the evening of December 20, 2009.
Lance Corporal Michael David Pritchard, 22, was born in Maidstone, Kent on January 11, 1987, but lived in Eastbourne from the age of one and went to school there. After leaving school and college, he enlisted into the Adjutant General’s Corps (Royal Military Police) in July 2007 and on completion of Phase 1 and 2 Training was posted to 160 Provost Company, 4th Regiment Royal Military Police, in Aldershot as a General Police Duties Junior Non-Commissioned Officer.
Shortly after this, he deployed to Kenya as part of the training for Op HERRICK 11. He arrived in Afghanistan in October.
School children mark their respect as the coffin passes
His comrades said Mike “Pritch” Pritchard loved to laugh and joke and this is how he should always be remembered. LCpl Pritchard’s family paid the following tribute; “With great sadness we say goodbye to our beloved son, a lover of life who has lived life to the full and has brought great joy to all those who are lucky enough to know him. A light that shines brightly, our precious son, brother, grandson, boyfriend and special friend to all, we are very proud of you in all that you have done and achieved and you will always be in our hearts now and evermore. God bless our darling boy from all of your family and friends.”
Lieutenant Colonel Debbie Poneskis, Commanding Officer, 4th Regiment, Royal Military Police said; “Lance Corporal Pritchard had only been in the Royal Military Police since July 2007 but he very quickly made a huge impact on all of us. It is tragic that we have been robbed of such a promising Junior Non-Commissioned Officer and one who was everything you would want in a Military Policeman. He was a professional and robust soldier and one who was both physically and morally courageous. He was absolutely committed to providing policing advice where it mattered most, alongside his Infantry colleagues on patrol and as part of the team.”
Source: Sussex Now
