Corporal George Paterson

Corporal George Paterson, 6th ( Service ) Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action in France, aged 35, on the 3rd May 1917 during the Battle of Arras. He had been born in Hownam, Roxburghshire and was the son of Helen and the late George Paterson of Hownam and the husband of Elizabeth Paterson of Chesters, Southdean. Before enlisting in June 1916 he had worked as a dry stane dyker on the Jed Forest estate. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Arras, France. He fell in the disastrous attack on ” Greenland Hill”. This unreconnoitred attack took place at night and lost the best part of three Companies to a well prepared enemy. 12 Officers were killed or missing together with 251 Other Ranks killed or missing. In addition 3 Officers and 152 Other Ranks were wounded. The photos show British troops during the Battle