Interior of William Pratt, Jewellers, upper Brisbane Street, Ipswich, 1911 (Image courtesy of Picture Ipswich)
William ‘Bill’ Pratt was born in New South Wales in 1877. He began his career into the watchmaking and jewellery trade opening his own shop in John Street, Singleton. At age 25, William married Miss Louisa Parr on 7 May, 1902 in Singleton. They made their way to Ipswich and moved into a house in Roderick Street. In 1905 William began working as a Manager in his Uncle Walter (W. T.) Pratts Jewellery, Watch Repairs and Engraver business in Brisbane Street, Ipswich.
In 1910 William became sole owner of the Jewellery business.
William spent most of his life in Ipswich where he was associated with the jewellery trade. He became involved in the community, associating himself with many sporting organisations, lodges and musical societies. Mr Pratt was generous in his support of Rugby League and swimming and donated monetary gifts as well as numerous trophies for competitions during the years.
William and Louisa welcomed a girl into their family; Sylvia. They were members of the Ipswich Methodist Church.
His wife Louisa was a member of the Croquet Club and Treasurer of the Local Girl Guides Association. In 1930 Louisa’s failing health forced her to relinquish her duties. She became sick and had years of indifferent health. Mrs Louisa Pratt passed away in 1937 after undergoing an urgent operation for peritonitis.
Ill health kept William away from work for several years. He was forced to retire from general business activities in 1946. He spent some time in Sydney visiting relatives, but on his return he was admitted to hospital. William died in hospital on 5 July, 1948 at the age of 71years.
William was a member of the King Edward Lodge of Freemasons for 36 years and at the time of his death in 1948 was Past Junior Grand Warden.
Information taken from: ‘Obituary. Mr William Pratt’, The Queensland Times 6 July, 1948; ‘Obituary. Mrs William Pratt’, The Queensland Times 26 Aug, 1909;’Obituary. Mrs Louisa Smedley Pratt’, The Queensland Times 24 Nov, 1937; ‘Ipswich Amateur Wheelers. Annual Banquet’, The Queensland Times 11 Dec, 1923; ‘Amateur Swimming’, The Telegraph 14 Nov, 1924; ‘Death of Mr William Pratt’, Singleton Argus 16 Jul, 1948;