PRICTOR, John Colin

John Colin Prictor was on of three children born to James Henry Prictor and his wife, Catherine, nee McLeod. He grew up in Hamilton, in the Western District of Victoria, and was a storekeeper by occupation, living at Noradju. When he enlisted on 14 August, 1916, he was a married man, with his wife, Catherine Prictor , nee Stewart, living at Glenthompson. They were apparently a very well-liked couple in the area: On 21 July, 1916, p. 5, the Argus newspaper reported that  a reception had been given to the couple by the citizens of Noradjuha, where he was presented with a wristlet watch and a safety razor and the couple received a silver tea service. The Argus reported that the presentation was followed by songs, a guessing competition and  'a coffee supper'.

John Prictor left Noradjuha and moved to Melbourne, where gave his address as 226 Clarendon St., East Mebourne, a red brick freestanding house close to Victoria Parade. He may have had a relative living at the house or become  a boarder. He had no other connection to East Melbourne.

On 7 September, 1916, he was in training at Royal Park, Parkville and attached to the 37 Battalion, 7th Reinforcements, then moved to the 12th battalion, 29 reinforcements at the Domain. On 5 November, he was in hospital for five days and then moved back to Royal Park with the 2nd Depot Battalion.

 John Prictor embarked for England on 19 February, 1917, travelling on HMAT A70 Ballarat and arriving at Devonport, UK, on 28 April. From there he was sent to training camp at Durrington as part of the 58th Battalion. He was finally sent to France on 24 March and taken on strength with the 37th Battalion, but from 11-25 May was was ill with influenza, and on his return to the front, he was taken on strength with the 58th Battalion. He served at the battlefront for only a short time and was returned to England from France on 20 July, 1918, disembarking at Folkestone to report to Administrative Headquarters in London. The next day he was sent to join the Officers Cadet Basttalion at Kinmel Park, Rhyll and on 3 January, 1919, with the war over, was appointed 2nd Lieutenant on probation.

From here, John Prictor seems to have gone back to France, detached from Corps Headquarters to serve as Assistant Sports Officer in the Field, C Section, for the next two months. On 2 May he was transferred back to England and promoted to Lieutenant. He was given leave on 6 June , then marched in to Headquarters, London, to return to Australia. 

John Prictor returned to Australia on board HT Orontes on 25 October, 1919, and on 15 January was discharged from the armed services. In 1921, he and his wife Catherine had a child, Colin Stewart Prictor. Here he set up Daylesford Motors and became a respected businessman in the area. In 1924, he was living with his wife Catherine in Daylesford. In May, 1932, he stood as a Country Party candidate for the district of Maryborough and Daylesford and narrowly missed gaining the seat. In 1942, their son, Colin was serving in the Australian Air Force, serving as a pilot.

By 1954, the couple were living at Carlsruhe, with their son Colin Stewart engaged to Lois Mae Green, but this is the last mention of them in the newspapers.