Introduction to
By John Ames
Aside from the many publications written about Bill Pritchard's
legacy and his contributions to the SPC, the following scan of
Bill's unpublished draft autobiography is a highly useful addition
to the SPC's history.
The manuscript's penned annotations in Bill's own hand demonstrates
the authenticity and significance of this rare draft.
Lending primary source context to the Party's early history, the
manuscript is an invaluable source to researchers and SPC
enthusiasts alike interested in Bill's life work.
Of historic value to those wishing to better understand the early
days of the Socialist Party of Canada, many fascinating accounts are
presented by Bill, importantly among them his direct observations of
Ginger Goodwin's body after Ginger's murder by Dominion Police in
Cumberland BC in 1918.
The manuscript also includes conclusions drawn from Bill's father,
James Pritchard, about the party's foundation being 1903, not 1904
or '05, as many internet authors on the SPC suggest.
Depending upon your browser settings, this .pdf document may be
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William A Pritchard:
Reminiscences of the old Socialist Part of Canada and his
connections therein
(composition date unknown, likely around 1973, 34pp)
A general
overview of Bill's life may be seen on Wikipedia.