PRYOR, William Arthur
| Service Number: | V361335 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 18 June 1942, Ballarat, VIC |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | Port Augusta, South Australia, 16 October 1895 |
| Home Town: | Ballarat, Central Highlands, Victoria |
| Schooling: | St Peter's College and University of Adelaide , South Australia |
| Occupation: | Medical Practitioner |
| Died: | Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, 1981, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 18 Jun 1942: | Involvement Lieutenant, V361335 | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Jun 1942: | Enlisted Ballarat, VIC | |
| 18 Jun 1942: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Lieutenant, V361335 | |
| Date unknown: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Lieutenant, V361335 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Annette Summers
PRYOR William Arthur MB BS
1895- 1981
William Arthur Pryor (affectionately known as Woppy) was born on 16th October 1895 to William George Pryor and Mary Mowbray nee Richardson in Mundulla, near Port Augusta, South Australia. He was educated privately, at Adelaide High School and St Peter’s College. He studied medicine at the University of Adelaide and graduated in 1919. During his school years he served in the Cadets and Senior Cadets.
Pryor joined the AIF on 25th August 1915 whilst he was still a medical student and required his mother's approval to enlist. He was 19 years old, 5ft 9ins tall and weighed 153lbs of fair complexion with hazel eyes and dark brown hair. He had a vaccination scar on his left upper arm. He was initially posted in the reinforcements for 3 FdAmb as a private soldier. He remained at the Mitcham camp until his embarkation on the Borda in the Outer Harbour on 11th January 1916. He was transferred on the 9th March 1916 to the 7 FdAmb in Egypt and was transferred to France departing on 12th March 1916 arriving in Marseilles on 19th March. He was detached from that unit on 21st Jun 1916 and was attached to administrative HQ in London whilst waiting for his return to Australia to resume his medical studies. He embarked on the Karmala for Australia on 21st July1916. He was discharged in 4 MD on the 18th September 1916. He was issued with the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Pryor resumed his medical studies at the University of Adelaide and graduated in 1919. He married Phyllis Angela Field on 22nd September 1921, they divorced in 1936 when they were living in Brighton, South Australia. They had three children William John Pryor, Colin Huston Pryor and Nancy Mowbray Pryor. He moved to Ballarat, Victoria after his divorce where he remarried and became a much respected anaesthetist. He served as a reservist during WW2. He had a farm at Millbrook south east of Ballarat and retired at the age of 75 years. William Arthur Pryor died in Ballarat Victoria in 1981.
Source
Blood, Sweat and Fears: Medical Practitioners and Medical Students of South Australia, who Served in World War 1.
Verco, Summers, Swain, Jelly. Open Books Howden, Adelaide 2014.
Uploaded by Annette Summers AO RFD
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