Pratt, David
Personal Information
Rank | F/O |
Forename(s) | David |
Surname | Pratt |
Gender | M |
Age | 22 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 28-05-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of David and Alexina Pratt (née Calder), of Willowbrook , Saskatchewan, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Lockheed Ventura II |
Serial Number | AJ444 |
Markings | YH- |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 174. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 228 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/9245 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 2 |
Squadron | 21 |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Pratt Rapids, Saskatchewan |
Country | Canada |
Memorial Type | Rapids |
Memorial Text |
Location | St. Andrew's Church, Blickling, Norfolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Wooden Case containing RAF Oulton Roll of Honour & former 18 (B) Sqn Standard |
Memorial Text | In memory of R.A.F. Oulton 1940 - 1945 |
Location | Junction of Aylsham Rd & New Rd, Oulton Street, Norfolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Brick piller and Inscribed Marble Tablet |
Memorial Text | In memory of the men and women of the R.A.F. and U.S.A.A.F. based here 1940 - 1945 |
Miscellaneous Information
David was born on 6 December 1920 at Willowbrook, Saskatchewan. Both parents were born in the Orkney Islands, Scotland and his father was a Pool Elevator Agent. His mother was deceased. He had four sisters: Meta Pratt, three more who are married and Tina who had died in 1926. The schools he attended were Willowbrook Public ,1927-1934 (grade 7), Fountain Public, 1934-1935 (grade 8) and Tuffnell High school 1935-1940 (grade 12, Academic)- all in Saskatchewan. David enjoyed stamp collecting and music and played hockey, baseball, and tennis. He didn’t have a job as had only just finished school but had spent a few months as a farm labourer. |
He enlisted on 9 May 1941 and after his initial training was posted to the U.K., arriving at 3PRC on 7 January 1942. He was then at 3 (P) AFU on 16 February 1942, 17 OTU on 31 March 1942 and then at 21 Squadron on 13 June 1942. David was to sadly lose his life on 29 May 1943. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/264/12 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/264/11 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 28-05-1943 |
End Date | 28-05-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Oulton |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Zeebrugge to attack coke ovens |
Reason for Loss | Collided with Ventura AE686 YH-H. The other crew were shaken but unharmed. |