Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

John Patterson was born in Gawler, Victoria, on 11 March 1917, the only child of Hilda Gorton Patterson (nee Maughan) and John Robert "Jock" Patterson.

"DARING WORK THAT ONLY YOUTH CAN DO. Five Fighters —The Classical Story Of John Jackson

by Sir Keith Murdoch

"I have written before of the two crews of Australian airmen I met in Gibraltar, in January, whilst I was waiting the clearing of storms before making the dreary night flight to Malta. They were flying Wellington bombers from England to Egypt. Those I could muster I took that afternoon to the Commander-in-Chief s house for tea, and was proud indeed of their bearing, their gallantry, their humor and modesty. They had made the southern part of their journey after dawn, and had deeply enjoyed the beautiful panoramas of Spanish and Portuguese coast and countryside. The British generals sent them to the top of Gibraltar Rock, where they eagerly inspected and discussed the many war-like preparations. How handsome, how vital, how brave, how strong. Either by failure of engine, failure of navigation, or enemy action, those fine lads all died that
night and a noble and promising band of Australia's sons was lost to her. Some bore famous names. Alas and alas!

One was a Melbourne youth, John Patterson. He was an Ivanhoe boy, only son of splendid parents. His father had fought in the last war and this lad passed for the Navy, was rejected for an eye defect, went again to the Grammar School and became an industrial chemist. He had a bright, cheerful influence. With him, his captain on the fatal flight, was another Melbourne only son, Tom Moloney, his oldest and best friend. They had trained together. Young Patterson's course was that of many a Melbourne lad — Somers, Essendon, Wagga, then commissioned and off to England. He was a writer and a poet. He played A grade hockey for Ivanhoe, good tennis and golf; he was a fine swimmer and boxer. He read well, liked modern music and could recite at least four operas. He was interested in the old Greek myths. Evolution too - the first and last man. And although he was unafraid of war and worked hard to become a good and useful pilot he wanted intensely to 'come back' - to know the result of the war, to fit it in to his ideas
for the future of his country..." - from the Adelaide Adveertiser 23 Jun 1942 (nla.gov.au)

"P/Off Patterson served with the Ferry Flight which had its headquarters at RAF Hendon. Ferry Flight was set up in 1941 as part of Coastal Command, whose function was to fly heavy bombers from Canada." - SOURCE (/admin/projects/5645/newmp.org.uk)