WW1

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PATTERSON, GEORGE HOLBROOK

Born 8^th November 1888 Geelong Victoria the son of Samuel and Theresa Ann Patterson (nee Taylor) he embarked Melbourne 20^th May 1916 on board “HMAT Medic” with the 23^rd Howitzer Brigade and the rank of Captain

Major Patterson was serving with the 7^th Brigade Australian Field Artillery when he was killed in action 14^th April 1917 in Belgium and is commemorated in the Hyde Park Corner (Royal Berks) Cemetery, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium

PATTERSON. -Killed in action, April 14, Major George Holbrook Patterson, Royal Australian Garrison Artillery, aged 28 years, only son of the late S. Patterson, Esq., Geelong Church of England Grammar School, and Mrs. Patterson Tetsworth Spring Hill, Tas.

The Mercury 1^st May 1917

THE LATE MAJOR PATTERSON - HOW HE DIED.

Mrs. Patterson, mother of the late Major G. H. Patterson, who was killed in action in France on April 14th, has received a letter of condolence from Brigadier-General H. W. Grimwade, who is in command of the 3rd Australian Divisional Artillery. Major Patterson had many friends in Hobart, and was formerly in command of the R.A.G.A. here.

Brigadier-General Grimwade says: - Your son had set a splendid example of loyalty and devotion to duty to all those around him, as well as those under him. He had achieved for his battery a splendid reputation and his men wore all devoted to him. He will be sorely missed by the whole of his brigade, and his replacement will be a difficulty. He did his work in a high-spirited manner, perfectly regardless of personal dangers, but he was not careless and has death can only be attributed to the misfortune of war the misfortune which has cost our nation so many of her splendid men. I recommended your son for his majority, and he received that promotion only a few days before he was killed. He was buried in a cemetery in Ploegsteort Wood, on Belgian territory, near a spot known as Hyde-park Corner, where he lies for his last rest with many other splendid British soldiers. His unit is making a cross to erect at the head of his grave."

Mrs. Patterson has also received a letter from Lieut.-Colonel H. D. K. Macartney of the 7th Field Artillery Brigade, now on active service, who was a schoolmate of Major Patterson's. Speaking of Major Patterson, he says : -"1 can assure you that he was a loss to me as a friend, and a very decided and deep loss to the unit, to which he belonged. Ho had just received promotion on my recommendation, owing to the excellent service he had performed during the three months in which he had commanded the Battery on active service. His battery was a credit to his energy, and had performed most excellent service. Ho showed extraordinary energy, and I fear .excessive boldness and fearlessness in the face of danger. He never shrank from the performance of any duty, and often in registering his battery had to expose himself . to enemy fire. On the occasion on which he lost his life he was registering his battery from an exposed position which had become known to the enemy. He did not attempt to move from this position until his duty was completed, and he was about to evacuate the position when a shell burst beside him, and I am glad to say that I do not think he suffered much pain, as he died within half an hour after receiving the wound. He was buried the following day in the presence of officers of each battery of the brigade. The position selected for his burial is a prominent one which is already famous through- out the British army, owing to the fierce fighting which took place in the earlier part of the war in that vicinity. The whole of the officers and men of this brigade mourn his loss as a true man and an exceptionally efficient officer."

The Mercury Hobart 17^th July 1917

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