Photo courtesy of Irene Doyle's WW1 & WW2 website

Apr 10, 1898

Born in Campbellton, New Brunswick to Malcom Alexander and Sarah Jane (nee Barclay) Pratt

Aug 20, 1915

Attested into the 55^th Battalion in Sussex, New Brunswick

Ø  Number 445489

Ø  Next of kin given as Malcom Pratt, father, Campbellton, New Brunswick

Ø  Previous occupation given as Boiler-Maker

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Presbyterian

Ø  Assigned to “D” Company

 
Gordon lied about his age on attesting, stating his birth year was 1897

 
The battalion was training in Valcartier, Quebec, having moved there from Sussex, New Brunswick June 15^th when it moved to continue training.

Aug 25, 1915

Private Pratt was moved to Valcartier, Quebec to join the battalion and begin his training

Oct 30, 1915

Embarked the SS Corsican in Montreal, Quebec

Nov 9, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the Bramshott camp

The battalion was later renamed the 55^th Reserve Battalion

Apr 21, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Apr 22, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

May 15, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Pratt joined the 21^st Battalion in the T & R front line trenches near St. Eloi, Belgium

Sep 15, 1916

As part of the Battle of the Somme, the 21^st Battalion was assigned the task of capturing the strongly defended sugar refinery near Courcelette, France.  This was the first battle where the Canadian Corps attacked using tanks.  The fighting was fierce and the battalion suffered heavy casualties.  Private Pratt was among those killed in action on the first day of the battle, however his identifiable body was never recovered from the battlefield and as such, his name is honoured on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, Vimy Ridge, France for those killed in France during the war and have no known grave.

Following the war, the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, Malcom Pratt, Box 61 Campbellton, New Brunswick

 
The Memorial Cross was sent to his mother, Mrs. M. Pratt, at the same address

This letter is courtesy of Irene Doyle's WW1 & WW2 website