Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Contributed by the great great niece of Pratt who attends St Joseph's School, Clare

James Howard Pratt (photograph in Fig.1) was born in the year 1895 and raised in Blyth, South Australia. His parents, William Pratt and Florence Jane Sampson, were the owners of Boskey Dell which was and has continued to be the family farm passed down through generations. He then attended Boarding School in his senior years at St Peter’s College, Adelaide. Once he completed his education, he returned to his hometown of Blyth to pursue farming and grazing. He continued in this occupation until he enlisted to join the military and fight in WWI in 1916 at the age of 21- his service number was 2970. It was assumed that since he was the eldest son, there would have been plans for him to take ownership of the farm when he returned home from the war. However, this was not correct, as oddly enough, it was the youngest son that historically took over the farm in the Pratt family.

During The War
 

Pratt enlisted to join the WWI Airforce in Adelaide South Australia, on the 7th Feb 1916. A few months later on the 11th of April he was officially involved in the Airforce as a part of the 32nd Infantry Battalion. On that same day, he embarked from Adelaide leaving his wife Hilda Esther May Pratt (Smith) and the rest of his family and friends behind. He set off on His Majesty’s Australian Ship as a private. The primary responsibility of a Private is to obey the orders of their superior officers to the best of their abilities. Veterans generally reach the rank of first lieutenant after 18 to 24 months of service; Pratt did this in 22 (Virtual War Memorial, n.d). The process of getting promoted in the Army depends on various factors such as age, level of education and prior experience in

military service. However, the people that demonstrate strong leadership skills, commit to their unit, know what they’re fighting for, and consistently perform their duties to a high standard are the people that the officials look for to promote. Surely enough, Pratt was Promoted to Second Lieutenant on the 19th of December 1917 and then later to Lieutenant on the 14th of June 1918. He was based in Aveluy and in Somme in France for some time, however, what he did here as a soldier is unknown. His one and only witness through the whole journey was George Wheaton, who was located with France also. Pratt was one of George’s witnesses as well, meaning that they potentially could have been mates during the war (South Australian Red Cross Information Bureau, n.d). This sort of information is known, but the year and reason that he resigned from the A.I.F hasn’t been reported.

After The War

Pratt’s death resulted from natural causes at Cleve Hospital, South Australia on the 2nd of September 1945. He passed away at the age of 50, Pratt was fortunate to return from the war uninjured and alive.

Considering that so many others never came home and never saw their families again he was very fortunate. Once he returned home, he clearly made an effort to rekindle the relationships and friendships he had made before the war because his funeral was largely attended; everyone was sure to pay their respects to this admirable man. He was then taken to his final resting place at the Blyth cemetery (Fig. 4). Respects are also paid to him at the Blyth Boys of the Blyth District WWI Roll of Honour (Fig.5,6), Blyth WWI Memorial, and the Hackney St Peter’s College Honour Board.

Pratt was highly involved in a range of clubs, institutes, committees, etc. throughout his lifetime. A list of his contributions were given in his obituary in the Port Lincoln Times on Thursday 27th of September, 1945 (Fig.7) ‘Until he resigned on account of ill-health he was chairman of the Lock Institute and F.F.C.F. unit, Church of England people's warden, honorary secretary of the R.A.A.F. and A.I.F. recruiting centre, and president of the Lock sub-branch of the Soldiers' Welfare and sporting activities, a member of the Legacy Club (Adelaide) and Port Lincoln R.S.L. sub-branch. Up to the time of his death, Mr. Pratt was seal holder of the Lock Institute and a Justice of the Peace.’

Between the 19th of September and the 1st of October 1918, Pratt displayed a great deal of courage and devotion to duty in the Bellicourt sector (the Bellicourt Sector had been converted by the Germans into an integral part of the Hindenburg Line defensive system). In the attack on the Hindenburg Line, he led his platoon as well as capturing fifteen of the enemy by himself. He then handled his platoon under extreme machine gun fire and during consolidation, established a line of posts 200 yards in front of the line. Not only this, but he brought back a wounded man under heavy fire and for this heroic act of courage he was awarded the Military Cross. An act like this isn’t done by the faint of heart. It isn’t one that’s done without risk. It isn’t one that’s done without doubt. The sort of questions running through your head would be ‘Will I make it out alive?’. ‘Will I ever return home to see my family if I follow through with this?’. ‘Will I die right here on this battlefield?’. ‘Is it worth it?’. Pratt must have ignored all these questions because he saved someone else’s life at the cost of his own. That’s what a true hero looks like. That is what mateship looks like. He persevered until the end. He made it out alive and he returned home. James Howard Prat is remembered by all his descendants for his service and sacrifice.