Tich Pretty
Ivan Pretty, with his lifelong mate Jack Wilson, on final leave 1940.
Sid Matthews, Jack Wilson, Ivan Pretty.
Full Name of Serving Member: Walter Ivan Pretty
Known as: Ivan / Tich / Skeeter
Regiment Number : VX 8311 / 033221
Date of Birth : 18.07.1916
Where Born : Numurkah, Victoria
When and Where Enlisted : Caulfield on 19.05.1940
Reasons for Enlistment :
First Posting / Where / What Sub-Unit :
Outstanding or Significant Memory or Anecdote :
Who were your close Mates : Jack “Bluey” Wilson
Who did you Billet with :
What Ranks did you hold : Gunner
Date of Discharge : 26.10.1943 due to a troublesome knee injury (football ?)
Other : Not to be outdone, Ivan joined the RAAF the very next day - on 27.10.1943 - where he attained the rank of Flight Lieutenant, seeing service in Korea. Ivan was discharged from the Department of Air on 19.07.1957 and he went on to spend many years with QANTAS. He was honoured by the people of South Korea when he was presented with the Korean Peace Medal in 2008.