Captain William Pritchard MC was reported missing 28 March 1942 after the St. Nazaire raid (Operation Chariot), later confirmed killed in action. He embarked for the raid on motor launch ML 457. Son of William Edward and Harriett Maude Pritchard, of Llandaff, Glamorgan [1][1a][2]. He and fellow Royal Engineer, Captain Montgomery had been instrumental in the initial planning and training of the demolition teams. Capt. Pritchard MC received a posthumous Mention in Despatches in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in action against the enemy [3]​[3A].

"Capt. Pritchard was, to a very great extent, instrumental in bringing about the raid on the docks at St. Nazaire. By his untiring efforts the demolitions were organised and the demolition parties trained. His own enthusiasm he inculcated into the personnel undergoing training and his untiring work produced such a thorough knowledge of their tasks and work that the eventual success of the complete destruction of the Dry Dock must be largely placed to his credit. During the operation Capt. Pritchard went ashore by the Old Mole and proceeded to the inner dock to supervise the demolitions in that area. The personnel due to carry out these tasks failed to make a landing, and alone in the dock area Capt. Pritchard was seen to be making intense efforts to do as much damage as was humanly possible with the very limited amount of explosive he carried. It was in this most courageous action that he met his death.
Later in the action, when the force on land passed the inner dock area, it was found that a tug had been sunk right across the lock gates completely blocking them and there is very little doubt that it was the work of Capt. Pritchard alone that caused this blockage.

It was due to Capt. Pritchard's infectious enthusiasm, personality and ceaseless and untiring devotion to duty throughout the training and the operation, up to his death, that the success of the St. Nazaire operation must be largely attributed" [3].