Hugh Pritchard's name added to Caernarfon cenotaph

The name of a soldier who died in the Far East during World War II has been added the Caernarfon cenotaph more than 70 years after his death.

The family of Private Hugh Pritchard campaigned for years for his name to be included after realising that he was not remembered on any UK memorial.

Private Pritchard of the Leicester Regiment died on 22 December, 1941 in Malaya, now known as Malaysia.

His nephew Nefydd Davies said it was right that his uncle was remembered.

"It's always been important from day one for the simple reason that his name was not on any memorial in Britain," said Mr Davies, who lives in Bethesda near Bangor.

Nefydd Davies said he had won after fighting bureaucracy for 15 years

"Everyone of them [who fell], their name should be on a memorial somewhere, it must be."

Private Pritchard came from Llandwrog near Caernarfon and Mr Davies says he remembers visiting his grandparents in the village.

Mr Davies's brother - who lives in Australia - is the only family member who has been able to visit Private Pritchard's grave in Malaysia.

"It's like you've lost a member of your family, you go to the cemetery with flowers.

"You can go to the cenotaph once a year with your poppy wreath and you still remember these people.

"Without them, God help us. They've given their lives, so what else can we do?"

Private Pritchard's death certificate

Mr Davies added that the family was pleased that Hugh Pritchard's name had been added to the cenotaph so they have a place to go to remember him.

"On the other hand it's taken so long, 15 years altogether, to try to get his name somewhere in Wales," he said.

"I've been fighting bureaucracy, that's what I've been doing, and I've won.

"I've done my duty and I'm glad," he added.