Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

William Paterson, a stockman, of Calliope Queensland, was the oldest of three brothers who served in the AIF. He enlisted in August 1915, joined the 9th Battalion in Egypt during early 1916 and arrived in France shortly after. He had a bad knee and spent months in England recuperating before he rejoined the 9th Battalion in the field during October 1916. William was appointed Lance-Corporal during mid-1917, and was reported missing later confirmed killed in action during the Battle of Menin Road in Belgium, aged 27.

At the time of William’s death, both his brothers were serving in France. Before William’s death was confirmed, as he was still listed as missing, his father Joseph Paterson wrote a letter addressed to Major Lean, dated 4 March 1918, "Dear sir, would you kindly let one know if there is any chance of having one of my sons sent home. I still have two over there and they have just come out of hospital, one was gassed and the other had trench fever, one of them has been two and a half years fighting, and the other one is going on two years, the youngest one is only 20 years of age last October, and as one is missing, I think we are entitled to one, as I think they have done their share. I would be very thankful if you would let one know if there is a chance for one of them to come back. I remain yours sincerely, J. Paterson, Dalby Qld."

To Major Lean’s great credit, considering the massive amount of correspondence he was dealing with, he replied to Mr. Paterson within 4 days, stating “…with reference to your other two sons it is suggested you communicate direct with the Military Commandant, Victoria Barracks, Brisbane, setting forth the facts of the case and acquainting him with each of your sons full regimental description.”

On 12 March 1918, the mother, Mrs. Fanny Paterson followed these instructions “Dear Sir, I write you these few lines in reference to my sons at the front: the oldest one L-Cpl. William Paterson No 2818 9th Bn has been missing since the 20th of last September, the second one Pte. Joseph Patterson, No. 1725, 25th Bn has been in hospital gassed, and the third one Gnr. James Paterson has been in hospital with Trench Fever, he is only twenty years of age and enlisted before he was eighteen, the other two boys have been two and a half years in service. Don’t you think they deserve a rest. I would like one of them to return, or both, if possible, if only for a time. I hope you will give it your earnest consideration and do your best for me in the matter, as it the only sons I have.”

Tragically, 1725 Pte Joseph Paterson 25th Battalion AIF was killed in action at Villers Bretonneux on the 24 April 1918, before any action was taken.

Mrs. Paterson wrote again to the Military Commandant in Brisbane, on 13 May 1918, “…adverting to your letter dated 30th March replying to my application for my sons to be released from Military service and allowed to come home. I regret to note that you cannot see your way clear to do so. Since your reply has been received, I have had official notice that two of my sons have been killed in action, and Signaller James Paterson, No. 20994, 108 Howitzer Battery, 8th FAB, is the only one left. He has not yet attained the age of 21 years and is now my only son living. I trust that bearing in view these later developments you will reconsider the matter and allow his return home. May God grant that you will listen to the pleading of a heart broken mother, I remain yours sincerely, Fanny Paterson.”

James had actually given his age as 18 years 1 month on his enlistment in October 1915, but it was most likely he was younger than that. He served in France with the 9th Field Artillery Brigade from late 1916, transferring to the 108th Howitzer Battery 8th Field Artillery Brigade during June 1917, and won the Military Medal for bravery in action on the 19 October 1917, at Zonnebeke, for his work with the Forward Observation Officer, under very heavy fire. He was evacuated to England with trench fever soon after and was still there when the above correspondence was taking place.

Whilst the Military Commandant in Brisbane may have declined Mrs. Patterson’s original request, he did commission a police report, and a copy exists in James’ file. It was prepared by the Inspector of Police at Toowoomba on the 22nd March 1918. A lengthy report by 2062 Constable J.J. O’Brien states “…having interviewed Mrs. Paterson, in reference to her application, she informed me that she has three daughters, Florence aged 18 years earning 1 pound per week, May, aged 16 years earning 12/6 per week, Eva is a school girl aged 14 years, and her husband is a drover earning about 3 pounds per week, all the income being given to Mrs. Paterson, towards the keeping of the home. Mrs. Paterson has two grandchildren in her care, Sydney Eccles aged 8 years, and Margery Eccles aged 4 years, the mother of these children is dead, and owing to the high cost of living and clothing, she will not be able to keep her three daughters, husband, two grandchildren, and herself on 4/12/6 a week, without some assistance. Prior to her three sons enlisting she was in receipt of 9 pounds per week from the whole of them.

Mrs. Paterson states she is subject to fits and bad health, and would like the return of her two sons to Australia (Joseph and James) and if only one of her sons is recommended for return, she would prefer the latter.

I consider the circumstances of Mrs. Paterson would warrant the return of at least one of her sons to Australia for the following reasons, (1) the extra expense on account of her own ill health, (2) the two daughters not earning sufficient to keep themselves, (3) the additional expense of the two grandchildren being dependant on her……”

This was supported by his police Sergeant, name not legible, who stated “…she is not a strong woman and is subject to fits. These three sons brought home their wages to her when at home. The loss of this has materially altered the circumstances of the family.”

After Mrs. Paterson’s 2nd request of 13 May 1918, a Victor Drury, solicitor of Dalby Queensland also wrote a similar letter as Mrs. Paterson’s, and forwarded it to the Honourable L.E. Groom, Federal Minister for Works and Railways, seeking his support in an application to the Minister of Defence. His letter explained the loss of the two brothers, and requested James’ return or at least that he be placed out of the danger zone, he closed by saying “…every casualty list brings sadness to this town and district. On Friday next, I am going out to Bell (Qld) to unveil a monument to the memory of the many boys who have gone from that district.”

This letter was forwarded by Mr. Groom to the Mr. T. Trumble, Secretary of the Department of Defence, (a brother of Hugh Trumble the Australian cricketer). Victor Drury, the humble solicitor from Dalby did great work on behalf of Mrs. Paterson, following the matter up on several occasions, and he more than likely did it freely. The Maranoa Recruiting Committee also wrote a similar letter to the Minister of Defence on the 17 May 1918, which may also have been instigated by Victor Drury.

By late May the Military Commandant of Brisbane had recommended to the Minister of Defence in favour of James’ return, and by mid-June the Department of Defence had cabled the Commandant, AIF HQ London with the message “Please return 20994 Signaller James Paterson, 108 Howitzer Battery, 8th Field Artillery Brigade, for discharge, family reasons.”

James was eventually discharged in Australia on 9 November 1918, two days before the end of the war in Europe, leaving behind two brothers who had lost their lives in France and Belgium.