Paterson, PTE William Hamilton

William Hamilton Paterson (1882-1917), bootmaker and soldier, was born in Newcastle, New South Wales, son of Thomas and Margaret Paterson. His father died when he was just 3 years old. In his early life, William studied in Brisbane as a bootmaker apprentice under J C Dickson. Eventually he moved to Western Australia and had settled in Leederville by 1906 along with his mother.

William enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force on the 18th of January 1916 at the age of 33 and was posted to B Company, 44th Battalion. He embarked for overseas service in June 1916 and arrived at the front lines in November 1916.

“On the 4th of February, artillery was quiet on both sides of No Man’s Land during the day. 44th Battalion rifle grenadiers were active and fired salvoes of grenades into the enemy lines. A Battalion sniper shot a German who was seen to fall, but the enemy soon reciprocated and wounded a 44th Battalion soldier. A few pineapples burst on the parapets during the afternoon and killed Private Paterson.”

“In sad and loving memory of our ANZAC hero, William H Paterson, 44th Battalion, killed in action, 4th of February 1917, aged 35 years young. Many sleep but not forever. There shall be a glorious dawn. We shall meet to part, no, never. On the resurrection mourn. Inserted by his loving mother, Margaret Paterson, Cambridge Street, Leederville.”

William was killed in the very first sector the battalion served in, Armientieres and he was one of the first 44th Battalion soldiers to be killed in action. During the war, he fought in 1 battle and spent 71 days in the trenches. He received the British War Medal, Victory Medal and Death Plaque.

Sources

Virtual War Meorial

AIF Project

National Archives of Australia

The Daily News, 28th of July 1906, Page 1

The West Australian, 4th of February 1921, Page 1