9153 Company Sergeant Major William Pratt was born in England on 23 July 1891, the son of Charles Pratt and Ada Fanny Richards. He had three brothers and three sisters.

One older brother, Henry Pratt, was killed in action in 1918 while serving with the Canadian Machine Gun Corps. His brother may also have served with the QOR in 1910 and participated in the trip to England. At the time of his enlistment in July 1915 he was serving with the Winnipeg Rifles.

William came to Canada (probably by himself or with a brother) circa 1907, was first employed by the Toronto Dominion Bank, and later worked as an accountant at Wilton C. Eddis chartered accounts where his fellow sergeant, Arthur Eddis also worked.

Pratt joined the QOR circa 1910. He was a “Crack shot” and winner of the last regimental champion shield for marksmanship, and on the Dominion Rifle Association Team in 1913.

Pratt enlisted in the 3rd Battalion, CEF with his fellow sergeants on 22 September 1914.  Having survived the 2nd Battle of Ypres, he was promoted to Company Sergeant Major on 4 May 1915. Unfortunately in June 1915, his body was pulled from a canal where he had been swimming.

A court of Inquiry (composed of Captain Shirley, President, and Lieutenants McCormack and Chisholm) convened to investigate the circumstances of his death and determined that Company Sergeant Major Pratt had accidentally drowned while bathing in the canal near Bethune on the afternoon of 5 June 1915.

From the 3rd Battalion War Diary for 6 June 1915:

2 p.m. Funeral of Coy S.M. PRATT, attended by A Coy and details from all other Bn. units also by all Sergts and officers. Brig. Gen MERCER and staff was [sic] present.

He was buried in the Bethune Town Cemetery, grave reference IV. C. 87.

See also a Wooden Mallet and Six Sergeants.