Morton Brown Paton

Morton Brown Paton was a member of the University Volunteers while at Balliol College, Oxford.

He enlisted as a special constable on the outbreak of war but then in November 1914 was awarded a commission with South Lancashire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Volunteers), and promoted captain in April 1915. In the May the Regiment joined the BEF Mediterranean and Paton was attached to the 6th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers. He was killed in action on 7 August 1915.

He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey inc. Gallipoli, (Panel 140 and 141).

Nottingham General Cemetery, family grave and headstone, inscription: 'John Brown Paton MA DD founder & for 35 years principal of the Congreagational Institute in this city Dec (-) 1830-Jan 26, 1911. Jessie Paton his wife Aug. 2. 1831-Christmas Day 1910. William Paton Paton June 15. 1867-Aug. 1. 1909. Morton Brown Paton Captain 10th South Lancs. Reg. Attd. 5th Lancs. Fusiliers killed in action at the Dardanelles 7th Aug. 1915, aged 44. Lenox Paton Figgis MC. Captain 'The Buffs' Fell in action near Maricourt Aug. 27. 1918 aged 25 Grandson of Dr. and Mrs Paton. 'For they shall see God'. [Matthew 5:8, KJV]

CWGC (541794). Lenox Paton Figgis. The Buffs (East Kent Rgt) 6th Bn, 27 August 1918 age 25, Meaulte Military Cemetery, France (grave ref. F. 25)
CWGC Additional information: Son of Thomas Phillips Figgis and Caroline Mary Figgis, of Campden Hill, Kensington, London; husband of Ethel Lizzie Winning Cleland Figgis, of School House, Rowallan, Kilmarnoc
CWGC headstone personal inscription: ‘Faithful unto death herein is love made perfect’
(1 John 4:17-19. KJV)
Commemorated on Wye South Eastern Agricultural College War Memorial. From website, 'He was killed in action somewhere near to Bernafay Wood on the Somme.' ref. Buffs Regimental History (p. 366), Moody.

CWGC Additional information: Son of the Rev. Dr. John Brown Paton and Mrs. Jessie Paton, of Nottingham. Cotton merchant of Liverpool. Formerly of Balliol College, Oxford.

Nottingham Evening Post, 14 August 1915: 'Death of Captain Paton. Old Nottingham High School Boy. Captain Morton B. Paton, 10th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment (attached to the 5th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers), was killed in action in Gallipoli on August 7th. He was the youngest son of the late Rev. Dr. J. B. Paton, of Nottingham, and brother of Mr. J. L. Paton, High Master of the Manchester Grammar School. He was a member of the firm of Messrs. A. V. Paton and Co., cotton merchants, of Liverpool, and lived at Bidston. His leisure and energy were freely given to work among boys and young men, among whom he had a strong influence. These activities included the National Home Reading Union, which his father was one of the founders. Educated at the Nottingham High School and Balliol College, Captain Paton while at Oxford was a member of the University Volunteers. Last November he received a commission in the 10th (Service) Battalion South Lancashire Regiment, and trained with them at Crosby and Heswall. He was promoted captain in April. “He was sent out to the Mediterranean in the spring, and was at first attached to the 6th Lancashire Fusiliers after their heavy loss in officers, but later he was transferred to the 5th Battalion, with which it is believed he was serving when he met his death. He was 44 years of age.'

Above courtesy Jim Grudy facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.

Nottingham Guardian, 16 August 1915: reference to Morton Brown Paton who was the brother of J L Paton, High Master of Manchester Grammar School.

Nottingham Daily Express, 16 August 1915: reference was made to Paton’s death by the Reverend Mann preaching at Park Hill Congregational Church. 'He was a fine scholar, a successful businessman, a brave soldier of Christ as well as England’s King and a thorough Christian gentleman. Nothing but a keen sense of duty could have induced such a man as Captain Paton to take up arms on behalf of his country. By falling at his post in far distant Gallipoli, he has enriched the moral forces of the nation.'

Nottingham Daily Express, 18 August 1915: additional report describing Paton as particularly fond of children, 'A man who diffused sunshine wherever he went ... It may be said of him that he not only died for his country, but greatly helped to make it worth dying for.'

Nottingham Daily Express 23 August 1915: further information, 'M B Paton was the youngest son of the family. Educated at Nottingham High School and Balliol College, Oxford, he was in business in Liverpool, partner in the firm of A V Paton and Co, Cotton Merchants. Sir Alfred Vaughan Paton was his uncle and, I believe, an Old Nottinghamian. A memorial service had been held at Birkenhead. He was Nottingham born and bred, educated under Dr Gow and won a Carey Scholarship to Balliol. He entered the cotton business with his uncle, visited the USA on business several times and resided at Bidston, near Birkenhead. He did a lot of good work for the village, especially children. He formed a boys’ cricket club and organised Empire Day celebrations. He was the President of the junior YMCA in Birkenhead, Vice President of the Albert Memorial Industrial School, taking great interest in camps held on the Wirral sea coast each year. He was a respected member of the Cotton Association, Secretary of National Home Reading Union which had been founded by his father. He was a committee member of the WEA. A keen sportsman, he played tennis, badminton, golf and rowing. He originally enlisted as a special constable on the outbreak of war, but joined the South Lancashire Regiment in November 1914, being promoted to captain in April 1915. He was sent to Gallipoli where he was attached to the Lancashire Fusiliers in May, commanding 'A' Company of the 6th Battalion. A memorial service was held at St James’ with the address given by J C Neil, Paton’s Congregationalist pastor. The 'Dead March' from 'Saul' was played, as well as the National Anthem and the Last Post. His brother, J L Paton, gave a moving tribute.'