Rachael Pratt, MM

Rachael Pratt was born at Mumbannar, Victoria in 1874 and began her nursing career at Ballarat Hospital in 1909, understating her age by almost 5 years in order to meet the maximum age requirements.

Sister Pratt nursed at the Women's Hospital, Melbourne, before enlisting on 10 May 1915 in the Australian Army Nursing Service, Australian Imperial Force, as a staff nurse. On 18 May 1915 she embarked for London on RMS Mooltan. Staff Nurse Pratt went to Lemnos in August 1915 with the 3rd Australian General Hospital (3AGH). Staff Nurse Pratt continued to serve with 3AGH when it was transferred to Abbassia, Egypt, following the Gallipoli campaign, where she remained until 25 September 1916. Staff Nurse Pratt then served with the 1st Australian General Hospital in England, before joining the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station (1ACCS) at Bailleul, France.

At 3.40 am on the night of 3-4 July, Pratt was on duty attending to a patient when a bomb dropped and exploded close to the tent. Despite suffering serious penetrating shrapnel wounds in the right shoulder and lung she continued to attend to her patient. '[I] felt no pain immediately,' said Pratt later, 'but just the consciousness of having been hit by some terrific weight.' It was reported that 'throughout the whole proceeding she exhibited the utmost coolness and bravery, and by so doing was a conspicuous example to the patients and others, whose confidence was thereby absolutely maintained.'

Pratt was evacuated and underwent an unsuccessful operation to remove shrapnel lodged near the right upper lobe of her lung. The shrapnel, measuring approximately 20 by 7 mm, stayed with her for the remainder of her life. For her courage in the aftermath of the bombing Pratt was awarded the Military Medal,, one of seven Australian nurses to receive this award during the First World War. The citation reads, in part, 'for conspicuous gallantry displayed in the performance of her duties on the occasion of hostile air raids on Casualty Clearing Stations in the field.'

Pratt was promoted to Sister on the day following the raid.

After recuperating in England, Sister Pratt served with the 2nd Australian Convalescent Depot at Weymouth and then the 1st and 2nd Australian Auxiliary Hospitals. Sister Pratt returned to Australia on 24 August 1918.

Her war experiences had a devastating effect on her post war life. She suffered from chronic bronchitis and ongoing mental health issues. Though remembered as 'a most charming lady, well-spoken and highly regarded', the final two decades of her life were marred with debilitating bouts of melancholy and constant depression. Sister Pratt died on 23 March 1954 from complications related to her war service over 35 years earlier.

Sister Pratt is listed in the Dictionary of Biography of notable Australians.

Sources:

• Military Medal : Sister R Pratt, 1 Casualty Clearing Station, Australian Army Nursing Service, AIF
• Studio portrait of Sister Rachael Pratt MM, of Carlton, Vic. Documents:
• Military Personnel File
• Sister Rachael Pratt. AANS. Military Medal

• Reference: Ancestry Genealogy - SmartCopy: Feb 18 2017, 6:35:08 UTC