George William Pratt

George Pratt (Service No 4389) was born in Wollongong, N.S.W. around 1883.

George enlisted at the age of 32 when he was single and working as a store manager. His mother had died a few months earlier and his father was living at Mount Keira, N.S.W.  

He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A60 Aeneas with 13th Reinforcements, 1st Battalion on 20th December 1915.  The troops arrived in Egypt and George was transferred to 54th Battalion on 16th February 1916.

He arrived in France on 29th June 1916. The 54th Battalion saw service at Fromelle on 19/20 July 1916 and George seems to have survived uninjured.  

George was recommended for a Distinguished Cross Medal but awarded the Military Medal on 17th April 1917.  The citation reads, "At BEAULENCOURT on 17th March 1917, during an advance by the 54th Battalion, Signaller PRATT displayed great coolness and courage.  He advanced with the leading patrol and established and maintained communication to the rear, so that full reports of the operation were transmitted to Battalion Headquarters on the days previous to the advance, when enemy shell fire had cut all lines to the Companies in the front line.  Signaller PRATT mended lines and constructed new lines under heavy enemy shell fire.  Owing to the good work and devotion displayed by this man, the operations before LE TRANSLOY-BAPAUME, 16/17 March 1917, were in great measure helped, and communication was maintained throughout the Battalion."   Commonwealth Gazette No 140, Date: 27th August 1917.

George was promoted to Lance Corporal on 5th July 1917.

George was also awarded a Bar to the Military Medal: Commonwealth Gazette 23 May 1918 (London Gazette 14 January 1918.

George was wounded in action on 17th April 1918 and evacuated to hospital in England for treatment of severe mustard gas injuries.

He was returned to Australia in November 1918 and discharged medically unfit on 13th June 1919.

George's service is commemorated on the Austinmer War Memorial.