MS 942

Reference code

MS 942

Title

Robert Selwyn Pryor archive

Level

Sub-fonds

Administrative / Biographical history

Robert Selwyn Pryor was the eldest of five brothers. He was born on 25 October 1895 and educated at Eton College from 1909.

He was due to go to Trinty College Cambridge, before he joined the 3rd Battalion King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment at the outbreak of the First World War. In the beginning of December 1914, he was he was sent out to join the 1st Battalion, going immediately into the trenches, where those that served with him often commenting on his bravery.

He fought in Ypres on 29 April 1915 and on 1 May he was killed by a sniper while cutting barbed wire entanglements.

Date

1914-1918

Extent & medium

2 boxes and 1 leather case

Content description

The bulk of the collection is comprised of 150 First World War letters of Robert Selwyn Pryor OE (1895-1915, CHKM). Also included are telegrams and a leather box believed to have been owned by him in the trenches and other related papers

Provenance

The letters were created by Pryor and retained by the family until their transfer to Eton College Library

Arrangement

The original arrangement, imposed by the family, has been maintained. This is reflected in two series

01: Autograph letters from Robert Selwyn Pryor to his mother

02: Additional papers, housed in leather case

Associated material

Kept with the letters is a photocopy of the War Diary of the 1st Battalion King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, 1914-1919. This records the movements of the Regiment Robert Pryor was part of

Finding aids

The letters are transcribed in Lead from the front: the letters of Robert Selwyn Pryor. [2018] as copy of which is held with the archive

Publication note

Kept with the papers is a comb-bound copy Pryor's letters, transcribed by Victoria Curtis: Lead from the front: the letters of Robert Selwyn Pryor. [2018]