Joseph Stoneman Pryor was killed in action in France on March 25th, 1918, whilst serving as 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers. He was about 43 years of age and had held his commission for a little over a year. During this time he was twice recommended for decorations: for the Croix do Guerre in December, 1917, for specially good work in Flanders in the Autumn of 1917; and for the Military Gross in March, 1918, for services rendered whilst in Italy.

Mr. Pryor was educated at Camborne and Redruth Schools of Mines; and in 1897 went to Brazil, where for five years he acted as surveyor to the São Bento Gold Estates, Ltd. From 1902 to 1905 he was engaged in making mineral and mining surveys in Spain and Portugal, and also on railway survey work in Spain.

In 1905 he was appointed surveyor and sub-manager to the mines of the Famatina Development Corporation, at Chiledito, Argentine Republic, and he retained his connection with mining in that country for nearly twelve years. He came over to England on vacation on two occasions at intervals of about four years, but did not finally leave the Argentine until the early part of 1917, when he returned home to join H.M. Forces.

Mr. Pryor was elected an Associate of the Institution in 1906.

Vol. 27, Trans I.M.M., 1917-18, pp.402-3

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