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Sgt. Picton Prater
British Army 15th (1st London Welsh) Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers
from:Bridgend, Glamorgan
(d.26th May 1916)
Picton Prater,was born 17th July 1891 and was killed in action on the 26th of May 1916, Aged 25. Picton was born in Maesteg, Glamorgan and served his apprenticeship in the drapery trade with his uncle, Richard Jones, at the Bridge Shop, Bridgend. He then moved to London, working as a buyer in a large drapery establishment, subsequently enlisting in the 15th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers.
Pte 21813 Fred Langdon of the Battalion wrote in a letter to a mutual friend in the weeks following Picton's death: "In training he was a splendid fellow, always genial and never disturbed. His qualities showed themselves out here especially, he rose to the occasion splendidly. Under fire he was always cool and level-headed, a splendid leader of men. For a long time our platoon were without an officer and he was in sole charge. He was remarkably just in his dealings with everybody. I can honestly say nobody had a bad word for him, or dare speak against him. A thoroughly capable and efficient Sergt. and a splendid character indeed. Surely such qualities must be fitly rewarded in the world to come. I was very near him when he was hit, he fell a victim to a wonderful piece of sniping. He had been chatting to me only two minutes before and we were laughing over some past experiences. He left me to speak to our Officer and a Corpl. All three stood together talking and just at that point the parapet was very low. We were about 400 yards from the German front line, so you can understand how we marvelled at his being hit. I saw him fall and it was my affection for him that simply rooted me to where I stood and I was so upset that I could not render any assistance. However, others were on the spot and he received every attention possible. He was never conscious, that we can be very thankful for and he died about one and a half hours afterwards, about 7:30 in the evening. Out here we have to steel our hearts to losing comrades, but in this case it was different. Everybody was affected by the loss of one to whom we mutually agreed was the best man in the trench. He was buried the next day and it was unfortunate that we left this part of the line before it was possible for us to arrange anything like a fitting monument for one we admired so much."
In the letter to his mother, the Nonconformist Chaplain of the 15th Battalion wrote: "He was beloved by all his men. His cheerfulness was the inspiration of his company and he proved himself a most capable NCO and a brave and fearless soldier. His Company Commander, Capt. Howell and several men of the company came specially from the trenches as a mark of the deep respect in which he was held by the battalion. It was a glorious spring morning when we laid him to rest in the beautiful British Cemetery."
