Born in 1896 at Woodford, the son of Henry Ernest (Master Tailor) and Isabel Pratten. 1901: With his family at Carlisle Cottage High Road, South Woodford. 1911: A Tailor, with his family at 16 Elfrida Parade, High Road, South Woodford. The family home was later recorded as 141 High Road.
He served in the Army as Private George Ernest, arriving in France during 19th February 1915 with 4 Queens Own Cameron Highlanders. The Battalion was in action in May 1915 at the Battle of Festubert, and again at the Battle of Loos in September 1915, when the Battalion was initially in reserve.
On being ordered forward they began crossing open ground towards the ridge while attracting heavy shell and small arms fire. At one point they were forced to lie down for some 2 hours, taking what little shelter they could. At length they made their way up a large plain which sloped towards the ridge beyond the town of Hulloch. Later they supported an attack by 2 Yorkshire Regiment around some quarries, and played a part in the subsequent fighting.
On 28th September 1915 George Pratten was Killed in Action.
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Principal Sources:
Ancestry.com
Woodford Times