Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of William Henry/Emmerson PATTERSON and Maria Frances READ. Archie’s family had moved to Myrrhee around 1889, settling first at “Bella Vista” on Mt Bellevue. About 1908 they moved to ‘Wallacedale’ on the Boggy Creek at Myrrhee.

Bill FORGE and Archie served with the 37th Battalion in the same company, and transferred to the 59th Battalion. They returned home to Australia together, and soon after Archie married Bill’s sister Mabel and Bill married Archie’s sister Liz. After surviving the horrors of WWI Archie died in a railway accident in 1926.

While serving in France Archie was recommended for an American Distinguished Service Medal. "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. T/Corporal (then Private) PATTERSON was a member of a small patrol which crossed the Somme canal near Peronne, late in August 1918, being the first party to cross. Their orders were to establish a bridgehead on the opposite side of the Canal. As the bridge had been rendered impassable by the enemy, the patrol were forced to wade across, T/Corporal PATTERSON carrying a Lewis Gun. When they reached the opposite bank they pushed forward some 100 yards, when an enemy machine gun opened fire on them, badly wounding the NCO in charge. The remainder of the patrol were forced to retire, but not before T/Corporal PATTERSON covered the wounded NCO with his waterproof sheet. On regaining our side of the Canal he arranged with our Lewis Guns to keep the wounded NCO covered till dusk when he again crossed the Canal and brought the NCO back to safety. He set a fine example of self-sacrifice and true comradeship, and has at all times shown a spirit of resolute fearlessness."

In a letter to his sister Lin, Archie wrote “Ted and I had the pleasure to win a medal for a bloke in our platoon, one trip we had in the lines … “
Written by Kaye Rowlands