Uniform ID please

[dicko99]

Can anyone help me identify and date the uniform worn by my great granddad William James Pratt please? He was born in 1868 in St Luke, London so I guess he was a little too old to serve in the Great War.

Thanks,
Richard

[jess5athome]

Hi, I think he;s wearing the badge of the Essex Yeomanry, his shoulder tile looks to show a "Y" at the top which would help to clarify that.

Frank

Added, he is also wearing a Bandolier across his chest as used by the mounted personnel.

[jess5athome]

There is a Medal Roll entry for a William J Pratt, 81079 Essex Yeomanry on Ancestry, could this be your man?

Frank.

[dicko99]

Thanks, I think you are right. He lived in various parts of Essex for most of his life.

The record you found seems to be the only one on Ancestry. Any idea where I might find more of his service record?

R.

[philipsearching]

There is a Medal Roll entry for a William J Pratt, 81079 Essex Yeomanry on Ancestry, could this be your man?

Frank.

The Medal Index Card shows service numbers 2401 and 81079, both as Private in the Essex Yeomanry.  He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

According to https://armyservicenumbers.blogspot.com/2008/08/essex-yeomanry-numbers-and-dates.html?m=0 number 2406 was issued on 21 October 1915, so William would have joined up (as a volunteer) in October 1915.  He did not see active service in a theatre of war before 1916 because he was not awarded the 1914-15 Star.

Philip

[jess5athome]

There is a Medal Roll entry for a William J Pratt, 81079 Essex Yeomanry on Ancestry, could this be your man?

Frank.

The Medal Index Card shows service numbers 2401 and 81079, both as Private in the Essex Yeomanry.  He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

According to https://armyservicenumbers.blogspot.com/2008/08/essex-yeomanry-numbers-and-dates.html?m=0 number 2406 was issued on 21 October 1915, so William would have joined up (as a volunteer) in October 1915.  He did not see active service in a theatre of war before 1916 because he was not awarded the 1914-15 Star.

Philip

Nice one Philip, I was just coming back in with that.

Frank.

[ShaunJ]

The man in the photo doesn't look age 47 to me. Might it be one of his sons?

[dicko99]

The man in the photo doesn't look age 47 to me. Might it be one of his sons?

Interesting point. He had a son also called William James B 1894. It's probably him.

All I had was a note written on the back of the photo saying "Bill Pratt"

R.

[jess5athome]

The man in the photo doesn't look age 47 to me. Might it be one of his sons?

Interesting point. He had a son also called William James B 1894. It's probably him.

All I had was a note written on the back of the photo saying "Bill Pratt"

R.

There are pension records on Ancestry for a William James Pratt born about 1894, Father William J Pratt, Mother Sarah, however, they are residing in Oseney, and he's in Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire) Regiment Territorial Force.................................

A pity, I thought I had him.

Frank.