Medals of three war veteran to be auctioned

Antipodean Andy · Apr 20, 2008

http://www.eveningstar.co.uk/conten...gory=News&itemid=IPED18 Apr 2008 16:02:45:013

COURAGEOUS Ipswich shoemaker Fred Pratt laid his life down for his country in THREE wars.

Now the medals that bear testament to his bravery in the Boer War, First World War and Second World War are to be auctioned off, highlighting his extraordinary story.

Joining the Royal Engineers at the tender age of 17 in 1898, just a year later Fred was fighting in the Boer War in South Africa.

And even when he was in his late 50s and considered too old to fight in the Second World War he still joined the Home Guard, a force which later inspired the TV comedy series Dad's Army.

There are scant details available about the brave soldier other than that he was born in Ipswich in 1881 at number six Fore Hamlet in the town.

His father John Pratt was a fishmonger and had a shop at number 25 Key Street, Ipswich.

Fred started work as a shoemaker, but on September 27, 1898, he joined the Royal Engineers and just a year later went out to South Africa to fight in the Boer War.

Not content with surviving that conflict, he then served as company sergeant major with the 4th Signal Company Royal Engineers during the First World War.

He was on the Western Front from August 22 1914 and was one of the first British troops there after Britain had declared war on Germany just a fortnight earlier on August 4.

Twice mentioned in Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig's (later Earl Haig) Despatches,in 1917 and 1919, in 1918,he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal- “in recognition of valuable services rendered with the armies in the field during the present war.”

However after Fred joined the Home Guard, it is there that his story seems to end and no-one has any information about what he did next.

But now - close to the 110th anniversary of Fred Pratt becoming a soldier - his medals are to be auctioned at Spink in Bloomsbury, London and are part of a £30,000 collection of First World War medals put up for sale by a mystery collector.

The Pratt collection includes his Meritorious Service Medal; his 1914 Star with Bar,which means that he was in action in the first three months(August to November 1914)of the First World War;and his King's South Africa medal.

n. Do you know any more about Fred Pratt and his family? If so contact the Star news desk on 01473 324688 or email starnews@eveningstar.co.uk
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Kyt · Apr 21, 2008

Lot 180: A Good Great War 'Immediate' M.S.M. Group of Eight to Company Sergeant Major F.J. Pratt, Royal Engineers, Who Saw Service in Thre... - Featured on Invaluable.com

Description:

A Good Great War 'Immediate' M.S.M. Group of Eight to Company Sergeant Major F.J. Pratt, Royal Engineers, Who Saw Service in Three Wars
Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, two clasps, Cape Colony, Wittebergen (2316. Sapr. F.J. Pratt. R.E.); King's South Africa 1901-02, two clasps, (2316 Sapr: F.J. Pratt. R.E.); 1914 Star, with Bar (2316 Sjt. F.J. Pratt. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. Oakleaves (2316 W.O. Cl. 2. F.J. Pratt. R.E.); Defence Medal; Army Long Service & G.C., G.V.R. (2316 C.S.Mjr. F.J. Pratt. R.E.); Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R. (2316 C.S.Mjr: F.J. Pratt. R.E.), first two medals slightly worn, therefore nearly very fine, otherwise very fine or better, mounted court style for display, with the following contemporary documentation:
- Warrant appointing Frederick Joseph Pratt, as Warrant Officer Class II, Royal Engineers
- Two Mentioned in Despatches Certificates, dated 9.4.1917 and 16.3.1919; Four photographs of recipient, Three in uniform, illustrating his service during the Boer War and in the Home Guard during the Second World War (lot)
Notes:

M.S.M. London Gazette 1.1.1918 Company Sergeant Major F.J. Pratt, R.E.
''In recognition of valuable services rendered with the Armies in the Field during the present war.''

2316 Company Sergeant Major Frederick Joseph Pratt, M.S.M., born in Ipswich, 1881; after service in South Africa during the Boer War, he went on to serve during the Great War as Company Sergeant Major with the 4th Signal Company Royal Engineers on the Western Front from 22.8.1914 (twice Mentioned in Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig''s Despatches, 9.4.1917 and 16.3.1919); fully living up to the name of "Old Contemptible", Pratt went on to serve in his third war, this time as part of the Home Guard during the Second World War.
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Medals of three war veteran to be auctioned

Antipodean Andy New Member

Kyt Άρης

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Antipodean Andy New Member

Kyt Άρης

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