PRATT, Victor D

Victor Pratt was the son of George and Jane Pratt who were living at 56 Cobden Street, Wollaston, by 1914. He attended Wollaston C of E School and left to become a telegraph boy. On 30th July 1917 he enlisted and was sent to the 1/4th Battalion of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry in the 19th Division. In March 1918 the troops faced the first German Spring offensive at St. Quentin and forced into a long retreat across the old Somme battlefield. They moved to Flanders to recover only to be in the front line for the second German attack on the Lys in April. After further losses they were sent to the quiet area of Champagne in May. Here, the last German attack fell on them, again unexpectedly. They were driven back over the Aisne and nearly to Reims. Private Victor Pratt died during the heroic defence of the Montagne de Bligny on the 7th June when the German attack was finally halted. For their efforts the battalion was awarded, most unusually, the French Croix de Guerre (with palm) in recognition of their bravery in three separate battles. Victor Pratt was 18 years of age and is commemorated on the Soissons, Stourbridge and Wollaston Memorials.