Private Walter Patterson

Private Walter Patterson, 16th ( Service ) Battalion, Royal Scots He died of wounds in France on 3rd May 1917 suffered in the attack on the village of Roeux on 28th April during the Battle of Arras, aged 33. He had been born in Edrom andwas the son of Walter and Janet Patterson of Gavinton and is buried in Roeux British Cemetery, Arras, France.  The Battalion had gone into the assault 400 strong and suffered casualties of 8 Officers and 200 Other Ranks. The Objective of Roeux was won despite uncut wire and heavy machine gun fire but strong counter attacks and a shortage of ammunition meant a retiral by the survivors to the British trenches. The Battalion was known as ” McRae’s Battalion” after its founder Sir George McRae. It was organised in November 1914 and was originally composed of professional footballers from Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian, Dunfermline, Falkirk and Raith Rovers together with many fans of these Clubs. The photos show troops during the Battle.