Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Clement Pretty who was living on his own means, born 1843 in Leicester and his wife Jessie Pretty (nee Cousins, married in the 2nd quarter of 1912 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district), born 1868 in Leicester. Oliver, a schoolboy, was born in the 3rd quarter of 1895 in Leicester, in March 1901 the family home was at Main Street, Houghton on the Hill, Leicestershire. In April 1911 Oliver was employed as a market gardener and was residing in the family home at Main Street, Thurmaston, Leicestershire, together with his father, now retired and his mother. Oliver’s Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone records his service number as 7063, and the Leicestershire Regiment and Lincolnshire Regiment as his units. Interestingly the Graves Registration Report Form dated 6th January 1920 recorded the service number as 40881 at the time that the records were being collated, and the current entry in the Cemetery Register records the same, 40881 as Oliver’s service number. The Medal Roll and Index cards allocated the service number of 5560, with the 1/5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, latterly serving as service number 40881 with the 7th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, in which unit he was serving when he was recorded as being killed in action on the 20th April 1918 in the field in France.
On Friday May 4th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BARKBY” – LOCAL SOLDIER WOUNDED.- Private Oliver Pretty, Leicestershire Regiment, attached to the Lincoln’s, was reported wounded on April 7th. He belongs to Barkby, where his father is well known. He is 20 years of age, joined the colours in July 1916, and has been at the front for the last eight months.
The War Diary records: 20 Apr-18 – AVELUY WOOD. 4 other ranks killed, 10 other ranks wounded, 3 other ranks joined for duty, fighting strength 30 officers 1137 other ranks including details of 5 officers and 69 other ranks.
On Friday June 14th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL CASUALTIES.” – The official casualty lists published during the week have included the following names relating to this district:- From Wednesday’s list:- Killed: Lincolnshire Regt. – Pretty, 40881 Lce.-Corpl. C. (Barkby).
On Friday August 16th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BARKBY.” – MEMORIAL SERVICE. – A memorial service was held in the Church of St. Mary’s in memory of Lance-Corpl. Oliver Pretty, transferred from the Leicester’s to the Lincoln’s, and wounded in action at Arras in 1917, died 20th April last. He was widely known and much respected for his kindly and generous disposition. He was a staunch Churchman and a communicant. The service was conducted by the vicar (the Rev. Wynn Watkin), who preached an able and impressive sermon to a large and attentive congregation. The collections were for the benefit of the Prisoners of War Fund, and realised the very satisfactory amount of £8.