Pte Claude Ernest Pratt, 14855, 13th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment, died in a casualty clearing station on June 9th, 1917, from abdomen wounds sustained earlier in the day in the Messines fighting.

A hospital chaplain wrote to parent James Albon and Ellen Louise Pratt at 21 Peach Street, Luton, with the news. He said he had laid their son to rest with several others on June 10th in a cemetery surrounded by hops and growing corn some miles behind the lines - a very peaceful spot.

The chaplain said he had ministered to Claude in his final hours, and he was glad to say he suffered but little.

Pte Pratt had enlisted at the outbreak of war in the Bedfordshire Regiment and went to France in August 1916, where he was transferred to the Royal Sussex Regiment. During the greater part of the ten months he was in France he served in the trenches.

Prior to enlistment, Claude Pratt was employed by straw hat manufacturers Webb & Baker, of George Street and John Street, Luton.