Private John Paterson

Private John Paterson, 7th/8th ( Service ) Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He died of wounds received in action on 22nd August 1917, aged 28. He was born in Coldingham and was the son of Mrs Swinton of Fox Street, Leith. He is buried in Lissenhoek Military Cemetery, Belgium. His Headstone is inscribed ” In My Father’s House There Are Many Mansions. At Rest “. He was wounded in the Pilckem Sector during the Third Battle of Ypres. The photographs show the desolation of the Flanders battlefield where the drainage systems had been destroyed by the incessant shelling. The colour photo shows the impressive Memorial raised to commemorate the men of the 9th and 15th (Scottish) Divisions who fell during the Battle. The 7th/8th K.O.S.B. was part of the 15th Division. It was erected on Frezenberg Ridge near the village of Zonnebeke in the Ypres Salient and was unveiled in August 2007. A quote from the Declaration of Arbroath is inscribed on a plaque affixed to the front of the Memorial.