Thomas Ashley Prior was born in Islington, Middlesex, at the start of 1886. The third of seven children, he was the only son to Thomas and Ellen Prior. Thomas Sr was a colonial produce broker agent and, at the time of the 1891 census, the family were living in rooms at 115 Sussex Road.

Over the following years, the family lived together, but moved homes. By 1901 they were living at 1 Blythwood Road, Islington; ten years later they had set up home at 10 Oakfield Road, Stroud Green. By this point Thomas Sr was listed as being a rubber broker. Four of the children were employed in respectable trades: Thomas Jr as a bullion refiner’s clerk, his older sisters as a paper merchant’s clerk and a saleswoman for the court dressmaker. The youngest employed sibling, 22 year old Margaret, was also a clerk, for an estate agent. The family had a live in servant, Alice Charles, supporting them.

War rose its ugly head in 1914, and Thomas Jr stepped up to play his part. He was already a volunteer in army and, as a later military history confirms, he threw himself into a more permanent role:

PRIOR, THOMAS ASHLEY. Enlisted 1909. Served continuously and went to France with 1st Batt. Nov. 1914-May 1915 (wounded). 2nd Lieut. 28/9/15. Served in France again with 1st Batt. March-June 1916 and Nov. 1916-June 1918. Lieut. 1917. Sports. Member of Brighton March and Marathon Teams. Died 1921.

[The History of The London Rifle Brigade 1859-1919]

Thomas’ regiment – the London Rifle Brigade – was actually the 5th Battalion of the London Regiment. Based on his unit’s time abroad, it is likely what Thomas was wounded at Ypres – possibly during the Battle of St Julien. On his return to the front, he would have fought at Arras and Ypres in 1917, and at the Somme (Arras) the following year.

Lieutenant Prior’s return to Britain is not documented. HIs mother, Ellen, had died in 1912, and his father followed in 1918. The London City Directory for 1920 recorded him as living at 8 Oakfield Road, a double-fronted Victorian terrace within sight of Finsbury Park.

Thomas Ashley Prior died on 10th February 1921. Just 34 years of age, the cause of his passing is not clear. He was laid to rest in Highgate Cemetery, not far from his last recorded address.

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