Welshman Caryl ap Rhys Pryce spent much of his life as a professional
soldier, and fought in units as varied as the British army, the Royal
Canadian Mounted Police and Mexican revolutionaries fighting against
dictator Porfirio Díaz.
Born in British India, he was an RCMP officer in 1911 when he became aware of the revolution
in Mexico, and decided to leave Canada, travel south and join the rebel
army. He found himself in the Mexican state of Baja California, and
joined a rebel unit comprised of Mexicans, American radicals and
European mercenaries. He was soon elected commander by the unit, and
took part in the Battle of Tijuana. The Mexican government apparently
complained to the American government about American citizens joining
the rebel forces, and Pryce and the Americans in his unit were indicted
by the US government for violating neutrality laws. Captured by the
Mexican government and charged with murder and arson--because of his
involvement in the Battle of Tijuana--Pryce was eventually released on
bail. Charges against him were soon dismissed and he left Mexico for
Canada. He joined the Canadian army and fought in World War I. He then
transferred to the British army, attaining the rank of major, which he
held until he retired. He is known to have been alive in 1925,
according to records in the British Army's personnel office, but
nothing was heard of him after that date.
