People Australia

Noel Hardy Pretty, n.d. photographer unknown

from Bank of NSW Roll of Honour

NOEL HARDY PRETTY was born on 25 th December, 1886, at Rockhampton, Queensland, the son of the late Mr. Edward Pretty, J.P., and Mrs. Helen Pretty. He was educated at the Scotch College, Perth, Western Australia, and at the Cathedral King’s School, Worcester, England. He entered the service of the Bank at Fremantle, Western Australia, on 17th October, 1905, and was appointed ledger-keeper there in July, 1908. In January, 1909, he was transferred to Perth; in September, 1909, to Kalgoorlie; in January, 1913, to Boulder, as teller; and in May, 1914, to Northam in the same capacity.

Noel Pretty enlisted on 17th August, 1914, with the 8th Battery of the Australian Field Artillery. He left Australia on 26th October, 1914, and landed at Gallipoli on 26th April, 1915, serving there until 29th September, when he was attacked with fever and sent to the hospital. On recovering he went to France, where he arrived on 26th February, 1916, and after three months was transferred to the 1st Division Medium Trench Mortars, going into the Heavy Trench Mortars of the same Division as bombardier in July, 1916.

In the December following he was promoted to corporal, and served continuously until January, 1918, when he was gassed and sent to hospital in England. He returned to France in March and continued active service there until he obtained leave to return to Australia with a furlough party of Anzacs who sailed from France on 16th September, and arrived at Fremantle not long after the Armistice had been signed. Corporal Pretty received his discharge on 16th January, 1919.