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.
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
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]
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