Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Alexandria 11th July (W. T. Pratt, E.R. Artfr., H.M.S. “Condor”) minor contact marks, good very fine £180-220

William Todman Pratt was born in Malta on 10 October 1859. An Engine Fitter by occupation, he entered the Royal Navy as an Acting Engine Room Artificer on 31 May 1881. He served on the gunboat Condor, April 1882-December 1883, which famously took part in the bombardment of Alexandria on 11 July 1882.

In the action, the Condor, commanded by Lord Charles Beresford, went to the assistance of the Temeraire which had grounded during the attack; she then sailed close in to attack the forts at Maza-el-Kanat and Fort Marabout. When the guns of the latter fort were silenced, the flagship signalled ‘Well done Condor’.

Pratt attained the rank of C.E.R.A. in August 1893 and was pensioned ashore on 27 May 1901. As a Naval Pensioner living at 55 Johnstone Terrace, Keyham, Devonport, William Pratt died on 14 March 1918.

With copied service paper, roll, census and probate extracts.