Medals from the Collection of Peter and Dee Helmore

India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (2739 Drummer W. D. Pratt 1st. Bn. Devon. Regt.) light contact marks, nearly extremely fine £140-£180

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Peter and Dee Helmore.

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William Drummond Pratt was on born at the Garrison Hospital, Devonport, on 5 October 1874, the son of William Drummond Pratt, Sergeant 2/11th Regiment, and was baptised in the Garrison Chapel, In the 1881 Census, aged 6, he is recorded onboard H.M.S.Crocodile returning from India with the 2/11th Regiment. He enlisted as Boy for Devonshire Regiment circa 1889/90, and as a Drummer was posted to 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment then stationed at Peshawar, India. The 1st Battalion marched out of Fort Bara to join Tirah Field Force at Kohat on 8 October 1897 and were present at the capture of Sampagha and Arhangha Passes before returning by train to Jullundur.

Proceeding to South Africa, Pratt disembarking at Durban on 5 October 1899 and entrained with the Battalion in cattle trucks for Ladysmith. In action at Elandslaagte 21 October, at Reitfontein on 24 October and at Farquhar’s Farm (Lombard’s Kop) before withdrawing into Ladysmith on 30 October 1899, he was present during the Siege of Ladysmith which commenced on 2 November 1899. On the 6 January 1900 the Boers made a major assault on Wagon Hill, overlooking Ladysmith; three Companies 1st Battalion were ordered to charge with fixed bayonets to clear Wagon Hill and it was during this action that Drummer Pratt was killed and Lieutenant Masterson of the 1st Battalion, Devonshire Regiment was awarded the Victoria Cross. He was buried at Wagon Hill together with 12 colleagues from 1st Battalion who likewise were killed in the charge.

Sold with a circa 1900 tinted postcard depicting the 13 graves at Wagon Hill on which Drummer Pratt’s name is clearly visible on his individual headstone; and copied research.