GEORGE PRIGG
Born: 1877, Soham, Cambridgeshire.
Died: 6th January 1900; age: 22; KiA at Suffolk Hill, Colesberg, Northern Cape, South Africa.
Residence: Prickwillow, Ely, Cambridgeshire.
Occupation: a Farm Labourer.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 4812.
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 1st Battalion, South Africa Field Force.
Clasps Awarded: Cape Colony.
CENSUS
1881 River Bank, Soham, Cambridgeshire.
George was 4 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
Nathan Prigg, 37, an Agricultural Labourer, born Cowlinge, Suffolk.
Dinah Prigg (nee Garner), 34, born Soham.
Sophia Prigg, 18, born Soham.
Robert Prigg, 16, an Agricultural Labourer, born Soham.
Henry Prigg, 14, born Soham.
Alice Prigg, 12, born Soham.
Emma Prigg, 8, born Soham.
Nathan, 1, born Soham.
1891 Swaisdale House, Stuntney, Cambridgeshire.
George was 14 years old, a Farm Labourer. He was living with his parents, siblings & niece.
Nathan, 46, a Farm Labourer.
Dinah, 45.
Harry, 23, a Farm Labourer.
Alice, 21.
Nathan, 11.
Albert Edward Prigg, 7, born Stuntney.
Rose Hannah Prigg, 4 months, born Stuntney.
Cambridge Independent Press – Friday, 12th January 1900 – ELY’S LOSSES WITH THE SUFFOLKS – Amongst the killed at Rensburg on the 6th January is Private George Prigg, who lived for some time at Stuntney, and who has now a married sister residing there named Mrs. Alice Mary Payton.
George’s brother, Harry Prigg also died during the South African war. Harry died of Dysentery on the 9th November 1900, at Standerton, Vrede, Free State, aged 34, he was married with two children. Harry was ranked a Private, service number 1754, for the Manchester Regiment, 2nd Battalion. Harry was a Farm Labourer, of Prickwillow, Ely, Cambridgeshire, when he enlisted on the 8th May 1893. He was awarded the Cape Colony & Orange Free State clasps.
One of the notable Battles with a large loss of Suffolk life was the “Battle of Suffolk Hill” at Colesberg, Northern Cape 5th- 6th January 1900. The hill was originally called Red or Grassy Hill. The Suffolk Regiment was ordered to make a night attack on a Boer position on the heights, four companies, 354 of all ranks, set out at midnight under the command of Col. Watson. The Suffolks were met by a storm of bullets. The Colonel was amongst the first to fall, and the party later retired with 11 officers and 150+ men killed, wounded or captured.
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