| Regimental number | 2508 |
| Place of birth | Bowen, Queensland |
| School | State School, Queensland |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Carpenter |
| Address | Albury, New South Wales |
| Marital status | Married |
| Age at embarkation | 45 |
| Height | 5' 9" |
| Weight | 160 lbs |
| Next of kin | Wife, Mrs F.M. Paton, Wilcox Street, Albury, New South Wales |
| Previous military service | Served in the Militia for 10 years; second Attestation Form says served for 5 years in the Infantry, Tasmania. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Place of enlistment | Broadmeadows, Victoria |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 31st Battalion, 4th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/48/3 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A68 Anchises on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 31st Battalion |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Place of death or wounding | Pozieres, Somme Sector, France |
| Age at death | 47 |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 45 |
| Place of burial | No known grave |
| Commemoration details | V.C. Corner (Panel No 3), Australian Cemetery, Fromelles, France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 119 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: James and Susan PATON; husband of F.M. PATON. Native of Bowen, Queensland |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Embarked Melbourne, 14 March 1916; disembarked Suez, 15 April 1916. Proceeded to join unit from 8th Training Bn, Tel el Kebir, 25 May 1916; taken on strength 31st Bn, Ferry Post, 25 May 1916. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 16 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 June 1916. Reported missing, 20 July 1916. Previous report of missing now, 13 August 1916, to be reported as 'Killed in Action, 19/20 July 1916'. Statement on Red Cross File No 2100801, 246 Sergeant F. LAW, A Company, 31st Bn, 24 November 1916: 'I know his disc has been handed in to H.Q. I believe he was killed by H.E. early in the attack.' Second statement, Sergeant LAW (patient, King George Hospital, London, England): 'Informant states that after July 20/16 at Fromelles Pte. Paton's body was seen near the German lines on No Man's Land. but they were unable to recover it, as after holding the German trench for one night they had to retire, having, however, accomplished their objective (to keep the Germans busy at that part).' Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, PATON Albert Alexander
Red Cross file 2100801 |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
