IN MEMORIAM

LCPL MICHAEL PRITCHARD (22)
4TH REGIMENT, ROYAL MILITARY POLICE
KIA DEC 20 – AFGHANISTAN

A MUCH-LOVED military policeman who was working alongside the Infantry was killed as a result of a gunfight in Afghanistan.
The possibility that friendly fire resulted in the death of LCpl Michael Pritchard, of the 4th Regiment, Royal Military Police, during the incident near Sangin is now being investigated
A spokesman for the MoD explained: “No firm conclusion will be reached until the coroner’s inquest.”
LCpl Pritchard (22), from Eastbourne, East Sussex, arrived in theatre in October 2009 and was attached to 4th Battalion, The Rifles.
In a joint tribute his family said: “With great sadness we say goodbye to our beloved son, a lover of life who has lived life to the full and has brought great joy to all those who are lucky enough to know him.
“A light that shines brightly, our precious son, brother, grandson, boyfriend and special friend to all, we are very proud of you in all that you have done and achieved and you will always be in our hearts now and evermore.”
Lt Col Debbie Poneskis, LCpl Pritchard’s CO, added: “[He] had only been in the Royal Military Police since July 2007 but he very quickly made a huge impact on all of us.
“He was a professional and robust soldier and one who was both physically and morally courageous. He was committed to providing policing advice where it mattered most, alongside his Infantry colleagues on patrol.”