Charlie Pratt a New Zealander was the eldest of seven children. Prior to the Great War Charles proved to be adept with things mechanical and was the proud owner of a Bradbury motorcycle. A keen shooter and member of the Wellington Volunteers and Territorials Militia, Charles, at the outbreak of war, quickly volunteered for service and it was not long before he found himself in action at Gallipoli. On showing mechanical ability, Charles was classified as an “artificer” and promoted to the rank of corporal. This carried through on his return to Egypt and Palestine where he served in signals as a mounted motorcycle despatch rider. When the Royal Flying Corps were looking for potential flyers in 1917, Charles volunteered and quickly proved he was of above average ability, had a quiet yet determined manner and was a good communicator. He found himself an instructor in short time.

His log book tells us he flew such machines as the Maurice Farman Shorthorn, BE2c and BE2e, Sopwith Pup, B.O.M., Bristol Scout, Bristol Monoplane, Bristol Fighter, Nieuport, SE5a, DH9, Handley Page, AW RE8, DH6 and Avro 504K. He records his hours flown at this time as 1074hrs. 40min. with the only incidents being “Landed RE8 minus on wheel (Broke prop)” and “Landed Avro in low scrub (Broke prop and u/c).”  Source: Aviation Historical Society of Australia Inc. Volume 29 Number 1, March 2013