The Pritchard Family

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The Pritchard family lived at Tyneham from 1921 to 1928


Malvina Pritchard nee Harper (1874-1964)

Malvina was born on 30 November 1874 at Dawley, Shropshire. She was the daughter of Richard Harper (1843-1912), an Office Clerk, and his wife Elizabeth Harper nee Underwood (1845-?). Richard and Elizabeth had thirteen children, four of whom had died by 1911. In 1881 the family were living at 4 Tunnel Row, Stirchley, Shropshire. Ten years later in 1891 the family were at 3 Aquaduct Road, Stirchley. Malvina was then a Pupil Teacher aged 16.

In 1901 Malvina, now a School Teacher aged 26, was boarding at 190 Accrington Road, Blackburn, Lancashire with fellow School Teacher Betsy Foster aged 38 and Betsy’s husband. Ten years later in 1911 Malvina was still boarding with Betsy and her husband, but now 200 miles away at Kimpton, Hertfordshire! Betsy was an Elementary School Teacher and Malvina an Elementary School Mistress.

Malvina married Arthur Charles Pritchard (c. 1869-1929) in the Wolverhampton area in 1916. Arthur was School Master at Upper Sapey, Herefordshire and was also Organist for the church there. It appears from a newspaper report in February 1915 that Malvina was School Mistress and had already adopted Pritchard as her professional surname.

Arthur Charles Pritchard, Malvina Pritchard nee Harper and son Arthur Walter Pritchard
Arthur & Malvina Pritchard with son Arthur

While at Upper Sapey, Malvina and Arthur had son Arthur Walter Pritchard (1917-1988).

Malvina Pritchard was School Mistress at Tyneham School from 1921 to 1928. Malvina was succeeded by Mrs Leonora Haime, Tyneham’s final School Mistress . The Pritchard family lived at 1 The Row – The School House.

There was a very strict regime under Mrs. Pritchard, head teacher from 1921 to 1928 and even her son Arthur, who attended the school, was shown no favouritism. Kathy Barnes nee Wrixon recalled that there was no talking, and knuckles were rapped when the pen was held incorrectly for handwriting. Joined-up writing was practised from the start, with careful attention to spacing of letters. The Union Jack was saluted on entering school.

Malvina left Tyneham in 1928 to become Headmistress at Melbury Abbas. Sadly the following year husband Arthur died on 11 February 1929.

Malvina retired in December 1934 and moved to Shaftesbury. She lived at 3 The Crescent Mampitts Road.

Malvina Pritchard retires from Melbury Abbas School

Malvina died on 16 March 1964 at Westminster Memorial Hospital, Shaftesbury aged 89. She was buried at Melbury Abbas on 19 March 1964.


Arthur Walter Pritchard (1917-1988)

Arthur was born on 8 June 1917 at Upper Sapey, Shropshire. Arthur lived with his parents at Tyneham in the School House which was the top cottage in The Row. He attended Tyneham School just a matter of yards away where his mother was School Mistress.

In September 1939 Arthur, an electrician, was living with his widowed mother Malvina at 3 Mampitts Rd, Shaftesbury.

Arthur married Lorna Daphne West (1923-2007) in 1941. Lorna was born in Bedfordshire on 26 January 1923. Arthur and Lorna lived at 25 St Georges Road, Shaftesbury. They had a son Nigel and a daughter Anne.

Arthur died on 10 November 1988 aged 71. Lorna died on 7 March 2007 aged 84.


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Page last updated: 31 August 2023