Capt S H Pratt 46 Sqn

Terrencejones · 4 October 2010, 07:10 AM

Does anyone have any more information than given in the Osprey book (Sopwith Pup Aces of World War 1) about this particular pilot? He isn't mentioned in "Above The Trenches" or the supplement I have.

Cheers,
Terry

R Gannon · 5 October 2010, 05:07 PM

Terry

This is what I have:

15 Feb 17 - 2Lt Pratt was pilot of Nieup 2-seater A229 with 2Lt G Bryers as observer when they happened on scrap between 2Lt Collins of 1 Sqn and kette of Jasta 27 to NW Ypres at 1630BT, which saw the Albatros DIII (2017/16) of Ltn H von Keudell go down in flames crashing near Vlanmartinge in British lines - given capture serial G11. Pratt fired his front gun at Albatros which sent the Nieup seemingly down OOC - Collins FTL but put another burst into his attacker as he went down.

Pratt had clearly been promoted to Captain when 46 Sqn began ops on Sowith Pups bweing credited with following victories:

3 Jun 17.....A7327....Alb scout....OOC....Quesnoy....0830.

15 Jun 17...A7327.....2-seater....OOC smoking...Pleogsteert....1050.
shared with 2Lt GP Kay on B1709.

17 Jun 17...A7327....Alb scout....OOC....Lens....1930
2Lt CA Brewster-Joske also claimed an Alb Scout OOC in same fight.

One would asume he returned to Britain with 46 Sqn in July and was posted HE whilst there.

Cheers Russ

rainbase · 5 October 2010, 06:03 PM

Pratt is mentioned at various times in Arthur G. Lee's letters home in his great book, "No Parachute".

Terrencejones · 7 October 2010, 11:55 AM

Thanks guys, I'll have a look through "No Parachute"
I'm assuming the Albatros scouts would have been DII or DIII models?

Cheers,
Terry

R Gannon · 7 October 2010, 05:00 PM

Terry

Yes they would have been DIII's & maybe the odd DII. This is a little hobby horse of mine these days; not to interpolate aircraft types but to stick to what was actually reported - both Allied & German claims. Rarely did Biritish airmen make distinctions like DIII & DV's in their reports. Similarly, too many German 'Sopwith' claims have become Camel's in latter day books.

Cheers Russ

josquin · 7 October 2010, 09:42 PM

Terrence

Scott has an informative biographical sketch for Captain Pratt in the
"Aces" section of the Aerodrome site. I will add that Pratt was born
23 June 1893, at Streatham, Surrey, the son of George Pratt, of
"Carrick," Streatham Park, S.W. In 1918, he was the only surviving
son from his family. Married to May Woodward, of Streatham Hill,
21 November 1918, Captain Pratt died in 1948, in Surrey.

Regards

Josquin

Terrencejones · 9 October 2010, 07:09 PM

Thanks Josquin, thats really helpful

I've been working on a painting of his Pup that I wanted to do in combat with one of the aircraft he was credited with.The info I have now should enable me to present a reasonable depiction of such a combat scene

To be able to add a bit of background information on the man himself makes it so much better and puts a bit of flesh on the painting I think.

Cheers,
Terry

R Gannon · 10 October 2010, 05:27 PM

Terry

Doing a painting? Well I recon it would be a good bet that the EA on 17 June were fom Jasta 30 and as you no doubt know there are some nice photo's of Js 30 Albatri lined up circa mid 1917.

Cheers Russ

Terrencejones · 12 October 2010, 04:59 AM

Cheers Russ. I've checked the line up photo and as a result will move the radiater to the off set position, I seem to have rounded the rudder for some reason so that needs flattening . Other than that it looks as though the Albatros is going to have fairly standard colours. See what you think

Cheers,
Terry

R Gannon · 12 October 2010, 05:26 PM

Terry

Looks fine mate!

Cheers Russ