Private James Patterson D.C.M.

Private James Shearlaw Patterson, D.C.M., 2/2nd Battalion London Regiment ( Royal Fusiliers ). He was killed in action in France on 21st March 1918 on the first day of the German March Offensive ( Operation Michael ) aged 31. He had been born in Gordon and was the son of William Patterson of 17 Bridgend, Duns and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial;, Pozieres, France. His father was a Railway Surfaceman and he himself had been employed as a Baker in Gordon, Berwickshire. He had originally enlisted in the Army Service Corps but was transferred to the Fusiliers in France in July 1917.  He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in March 1918 and the citation reads ” For Conspicuous Gallantry and devotion to Duty. During a relief a Platoon of the relieving Unit came under heavy shellfire and had several casualties. This man who was one of the outgoing platoon voluntarily went to the assistance of the wounded and remained for nine hours after his platoon had been relieved bringing in and attending to the wounded. During the whole of this period he was in the open under continuous and frequently heavy shellfire and on three occasions was blown off his feet.  His fortitude and self sacrificing spirit were most praiseworthy “. The photographs show Allied troops preparing the resist the German advances.

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