William Arthur Patterson
Tram Car Conductor
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
William Arthur Patterson was born in 1885 at Hackney Middlesex he was the son of William a cork cutter and Eliza Patterson and the brother of Helen Patterson.
His father William was born in 1859 at Dundee
In the 1911 census the family lived at 61 Bruce Grove Nottingham William 52 yrs and a widow is cork cutter he is living his son William Arthur Patterson 28 yrs single and a tram car conductor, also living at the address is boarder Florrie Saxton 28 yrs single, a sewing machinsit. His father stated on the census that he had been married for 29 yrs and had 2 children.
William's personal effects were sent to Mrs Ellen Key, 30 Queens Road, Nottingham.
William Arthur Patterson enlisted on 26 August 1914 at Derby and was 29 years 9 months old he served with the 9th battalion Sherwood Foresters Regiment.
After training the battalion left for Gallipoli on 1 July 1915. William survived the two attacks made by the battalion in August when half of the battalion became casualties and settled in to trench warfare. He was appointed Lance Corporal on 26 September 1915. Colonel Scothern called it ' exciting and dangerous work both here (Green Lane) and Essex Ravine'.
William was wounded (probably sniper) on Sunday 6 October 1915, receiving a gunshot wound which penetrated the thorax. He was moved to the 26th Casualty Clearing Station and after treatment was transferred to the Hospital Ship Karaparra which sailed for Lemnos.
A cable was sent on 16 October 1915 from Lemnos to the records office in UK stating - "9/10/15, died of wounds received in action (GSW penetrating thorax) on board H.S. Karaparra and buried at sea" However, he has a grave at East Mudros Military Cemetery, Lemnos (grave ref III.A.26)
John Morse
Nottingham Post obituary (abridged) 21 October 1915: 'Patterson. Died of wounds October 9th, Private W Patterson, 9th Bn Sherwood Foresters. Son of William Patterson.'
William Arthur Patterson grave
13396 L/Cpl William Arthur Patterson died of wounds sustained on Gallipoli and is buried in East Mudros Cemtery, Lemnos, grave III. A. 26. Photo courtesy of Maurice Stokes.
William Arthur Patterson
Photograph from Nottingham Evening Post, 16 November 1915, courtesy of Jim Grundy, Facebook Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.