Edward Henry Pratt & Arthur Vincent Pratt

Edward Henry Pratt WW1

Possible photograph of Edward Henry Pratt, courtesy of his granddaughter, Margaret Prest.

Edward Henry Pratt Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission have erected a headstone for Edward in West Cemetery, Darlington.

Dedication of CWGC headstone September 2, 2015

Edward Henry Pratt was the son of Nicholas Joseph Pratt of Scorton and Jane Anne Fletcher. They had married February 13, 1875 in Darlington. Edward was born in December 1889 in Cockerton.

Edward's father was in Cockerton, age 60, working as a plumber.

Edward Pratt in the 1911 census was living in Heighington Street, Aycliffe:

Edward H. Pratt, age 22, Limestone Quarry Labourer, born Cockerton, Co. Durham

Margaret Pratt, age 22, married 2 years, 2 children, born Trimdon Grange, Co. Durham

Alfred E. Pratt, age 1, born Barton, Yorkshire

Nicholas J. Pratt, age under one month, born Aycliffe, Co. Durham

Their house had 2 rooms.

Edward Henry Pratt had married Margaret Louisa Watson in Darlington in 1908.

Edward attested 25 October, 1915. He was living at 15, I'Anson Street, Darlington. He joined the 5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, Pte. 201248. Edward was 26 years 10 months old. He was 5' 6" tall and had good vision and physical development.

He joined the Expeditionary Force in France 10 February, 1916 and received a gun shot wound (mild) to his left leg and to his neck. He was home for 3 months and then went back to France 15 June, 1916. He received a gunshot wound to his right shoulder 16 September, 1916.

Edward was home 25 September, 1916 to 21 March, 1917 and then returned to France. He was in France March 22 to November 13, 1917. By May 21, 1918 he was discharged as being no longer physically fit for war service. He had scars on his chest, back, left arm and R E wrist. Edward was 29 years 6 months old, 5' 8" tall, had a ruddy complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair. His address at this time had been Well Bank, Aycliffe, but on one discharge form is given as Horlines (Orlands now) Aycliffe.

Edward's Medical Report April 20, 1918 states that his injury was cerebral injury, optic atrophy, partial paralysis left side. Edward had been buried in a dug out, this causing the cerebral injury.

Edward's children on his Disablement Pension Award Sheet are given as John Nicholas, born March 21, 1911, Sidney, born September 27, 1913, and Marjorie Jane, born September 17, 1916. There is no mention of Alfred E. who was in the 1911 census.

Margaret Pratt headstone

Edward's wife Margaret Louisa died October 22, 1922, age 33. Margaret is buried in Aycliffe Churchyard.

Sidney Pratt emigrated to Canada, arriving at Montreal August 24, 1929. He had been working as a poultry farmer and was going to farm in Canada. His named relative is Arthur Pratt of Home Cottage, Blackwell - this may be his uncle who was born 1897.

Edward died September 15, 1918, at Greenbank Hospital, Darlington. According to the Roll of Honour Notice in the Northern Echo, September 17, Edward had died of his wounds.

Edward Henry Pratt Roll of Honour Memoriam WW1

Kind permission of The Northern Echo

His interment took place Thursday, September 19, at West Cemetery, Darlington. Edward was buried Section Q, Row 7 H, Plot 138, age 29 years, in an unmarked grave. Address at time of death was Orlands, Aycliffe.

Marjorie Pratt

Marjorie Pratt, daughter of Edward Henry Pratt, courtesy of her daughter Margaret Prest

Sidney Pratt, Canada

Sidney Pratt in Canada, courtesy of his niece, Margaret Prest

J W Pratt perhaps, brother of Edward Henry Pratt

Possibly Arthur Vincent Pratt, brother of Edward Henry Pratt

Arthur Vincent Pratt, born 1897 in Cockerton, Darlington.

Army number: 4801 then 325877. Rank: Private.

Unit: 3/5th Durham Light Infantry then 9th Durham Light Infantry.

Arthur Vincent Pratt attested June 2, 1916. He was 18 years, 7 months old and was living at The Green, Cockerton. He was a labourer. Arthur was 5' 8" tall with chest measurement of 37".

His father Nicholas Joseph Pratt was living at the same address.

Arthur was posted to the 1/9th Durham Light Infantry January 1, 1917. He served in France fro January 4, 1917 to September 9, 1919, embarking at Folkestone and disembarking at Boulogne.

Arthur received his Protection Certificate September 16, 1919 at York.