Caryl Ap Rhys Pryce facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Caryl ap Rhys Pryce
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| Born | 30 September 1876 Vizianagaram, British India |
| Died | 26 November 1955 (aged 79) Cockermouth |
| Allegiance | Soldier of fortune |
| Service/ |
Mexican Foreign Legion |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Commands held | 'A' Battery, 119th Field Artillery Brigade |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order, 1917 |
| Spouse(s) | Ellen Mary Wilkinson |
Caryl ap Rhys Pryce DSO (born September 30, 1876 – died November 26, 1955) was an adventurous Welshman. He was known as a "soldier of fortune." This means he was a soldier who fought for different groups or countries for money. He is most famous for his part in a rebellion in Baja California, Mexico, in 1911.
Caryl ap Rhys Pryce was born in Vizianagaram, British India. His father was Lt.-Col. Douglas Davidson Pryce. Caryl was the younger brother of General Sir Henry ap Rhys Pryce. He was also a direct descendant of the Welsh freedom fighter Owain Glyndŵr.
In the Mexican rebellion, Pryce took charge of the foreign soldiers. He made property owners in the Mexicali area help fund his army. On May 9, 1911, Pryce and his soldiers captured Tijuana. They fought against government troops. He also started collecting taxes there. When Porfirio Díaz stepped down as president of Mexico, Pryce left his command. This was because Ricardo Flores Magón did not accept the peace agreement.
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Adventures in Africa
Caryl ap Rhys Pryce had many adventures before Mexico. He fought in the Matabele Rebellion in Africa. He joined the British South Africa Police in May 1897. He helped attack a rebel stronghold. They even used dynamite to clear out fortified caves. Many rebels surrendered, but hundreds were trapped inside.
Boer War Service
Later, he fought in the Second Boer War. This war was in South Africa. Pryce was known as an excellent marksman. He was very good at shooting. He joined the Natal Mounted Police in May 1898. He also served in the Imperial Light Horse. By 1903, he became a 2nd Lieutenant. He worked as a District Commandant in several areas.
The Mexican Revolution
In 1908, Pryce joined a local army unit in Canada. But he decided to seek new adventures. He traveled to Los Angeles in January 1911. He arrived with no money. Many people there were looking for work.
Joining the Rebels
At this time, a Mexican revolutionary named Ricardo Flores Magón was active. He wanted to remove Mexico's president, Porfirio Díaz. Díaz had been in power for 30 years. Magón planned a revolution in Baja California, near the U.S. border. He gathered many volunteers. These included U.S. Army deserters and mercenaries. Pryce was one of them. He was likely drawn by the promise of money and land.
Pryce and 17 other volunteers crossed into Mexico. They were led by Generalissimo Jose Maria Leyva. They joined up with local people. Their only army sign was tiny red bows on their sleeves.
Capturing Mexicali
In January 1911, Leyva's group took the town of Mexicali. They faced little resistance. They even recruited prisoners from the local jail. The U.S. government asked President Díaz to stop the uprising. The State Governor, Colonel Celso Vega, marched to Mexicali. His tired force was defeated by the rebels.
After this, Stanley Williams took command of the rebels. He, Pryce, and another veteran, "Melbourne" Hopkins, took a train. They raided Algodones, blowing up bridges and cutting telegraph lines. These raids caused problems for wealthy American landowners. This put more pressure on the U.S. and President Díaz.
Battle for Mexicali
On April 8, Mexican soldiers advanced on Mexicali. Williams and Pryce rode out to meet them. They had about 80 men, known as the "Foreign Legion." They were ambushed in a cornfield. Shells exploded around them. Williams was badly wounded. Pryce sent a man known as "Dynamite" Bill to attack the machine guns. Bill used homemade bombs. One bomb destroyed a machine gun. Pryce and some others managed to escape. The Mexicans were not taking prisoners.
After this battle, Pryce became the leader of the remaining rebels. He was seen as the only one who could lead them. Journalists from the U.S. came to interview him. Pryce told one magazine that his men were "a bully fine lot." He said they were eager for more action.
Taking Tijuana
In May, Pryce led about 200 mounted men. They set out to capture Tijuana. This was a difficult journey across deserts and mountains. Tijuana was defended by 100 men. Pryce's morning attack quickly secured the southern part of the town. He asked the commander to surrender, but he refused. Pryce's force then captured the town. The fighting was fierce. The Mexicans lost 18 men, and Pryce's force lost seven.
The way was open to advance on the capital, Ensenada. However, news came that another rebel general had captured Ciudad Juarez. Pryce decided he needed more weapons. He crossed the border to San Diego to meet Magón's representative. He was recognized and became a local celebrity. The U.S. authorities arrested him on May 19. But they released him the next day as there was no evidence to hold him.
End of the Rebellion
Back in Tijuana, Pryce learned that President Díaz had signed a treaty. Díaz fled to France. Pryce realized his position was not strong. He went to Los Angeles to talk with Magón. Pryce found that Magón had no money or ammunition. He decided it was useless to continue. He told his men in Tijuana to disband.
Without Pryce's leadership and supplies, the rebels' future was grim. On June 22, Colonel Vega returned with a much larger force. They retook Tijuana.
Pryce was later stopped by agents near San Francisco. The Mexican Consul wanted him sent back to Mexico. He was accused of serious crimes. Pryce denied these charges. He was cleared by the court on September 28, 1911. He was free to go.
Hollywood Actor
After his adventures, Pryce became an actor in Hollywood. He acted in several silent films. He even played himself in a movie called The Colonel's Escape. This film was based on the story of the Mexican Revolution and his part in it.
First World War Service
In 1914, Pryce returned to Canada. He joined the Fort Garry Horse. He later became a Lieutenant in the Canadian Field Artillery. After training, he sailed to England. He then joined the Royal Field Artillery. His older brother, Harry, was also a General Staff Officer in the same division.
Pryce became the Commanding Officer of 'A' Battery. He went to France in November 1915. He saw heavy fighting during the Battle of the Somme in 1916. One day, he and two other officers found 17 German soldiers. All of them surrendered after a short fight. In May 1917, Pryce was wounded in the shoulder by shrapnel. He was sent home to recover. He spent the rest of the war commanding a Reserve Artillery Brigade. He was mentioned in official reports twice for his bravery. He received the Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) award on the day he was wounded. This award was likely for capturing the German machine-gun post.
Later Life
Caryl ap Rhys Pryce married Ellen Mary Wilkinson in October 1918. He passed away on November 26, 1955, in Cockermouth, England.
