Penistan James PATTERSON

Date of birth7 August 1894
Other trainingGraduate of Royal Military College, Duntroon.
OccupationSoldier
Address608 Ligar Street, Ballarat, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation20
Next of kinJ Patterson, 608 Ligar Street, Ballarat, Victoria
Enlistment date14 August 1914
Rank on enlistmentLieutenant
Unit name12th Battalion, C Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/29/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Hobart, Tasmania, on board HMAT A2 Geelong on 20 October 1914
Rank from Nominal RollLieutenant
Unit from Nominal Roll12th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Mention in Despatches


Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette', Supplement No. 29354, 5 November 1915.

Commendation


'The Army Corps commander has very much pleasure in publishing the names of the Junior Regimental Officers, Warrant Officers, N.C.O.s and men, in the attached supplement, which have been brought to his notice for having performed various acts of conspicuous gallantry or valuable service during the period from 25th April to 5th May, 1915. He cordially thanks them for the good work they have performed, which more than ever testifies to their devotion to duty towards King and Country. His only regret is that they cannot all be rewarded.'
Australian Military Orders No. 570
Recommendation date: 29 June 1915

FateKilled in Action 25 April 1915
Age at death from cemetery records20
Place of burialNo known grave
Commemoration detailsThe Lone Pine Memorial (Panel 17), Gallipoli, Turkey

The Lone Pine Memorial, situated in the Lone Pine Cemetery at Anzac, is the main Australian Memorial on Gallipoli, and one of four memorials to men of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Designed by Sir John Burnet, the principal architect of the Gallipoli cemeteries, it is a thick tapering pylon 14.3 metres high on a square base 12.98 metres wide. It is constructed from limestone mined at Ilgardere in Turkey.

The Memorial commemorates the 3268 Australians and 456 New Zealanders who have no known grave and the 960 Australians and 252 New Zealanders who were buried at sea after evacuation through wounds or disease. The names of New Zealanders commemorated are inscribed on stone panels mounted on the south and north sides of the pylon, while those of the Australians are listed on a long wall of panels in front of the pylon and to either side. Names are arranged by unit and rank.

The Memorial stands over the centre of the Turkish trenches and tunnels which were the scene of heavy fighting during the August offensive. Most cemeteries on Gallipoli contain relatively few marked graves, and the majority of Australians killed on Gallipoli are commemorated here.

Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
67
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: Rev. James and Annie PATTERSON, 'Duntroon', 607 Ligar Street, Ballarat, Victoria. Native of Swan Hill, Victoria
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli

Report of Officer commanding, 12th Bn, 1st Australian division, dated 29 September 1915, said: 'Lieut. P.J. Patterson was gazetted to Australian Imperial Force on the 15th August, 1914 and posted to the 12th Battalion. He joined his Battalion at Pontville Capm, Tasmania, during the 3rd week of August and was allotted for duty as Asst. Adjutant. He was appointed to "C" Coy. as senior Subaltern.

'During the voyage from Australia to Egypt he performed the duties of Adjutant to the Battalion, the Adjutant being appointed Ship's Adjutant.

'On the re-organisation of the Battalion (when the double Companies were formed) "C" Coy was merged into "A" Coy, and Lieut. Patterson was appointed Platoon commander of No. 1 Platoon. In addition he was responsible for the training of the Battalion Scouts, and they attained a high standard of efficiency under his control. His personality was a strong one, and his presence in the Battalion had undoubtedly a good effect on the Junior Officers. His tact and unfailing courtesy to all made an example for all Officers; his general knowledge of "just what to do" at the right time and place must have, unwittingly perhaps, had its effect on all with whom he served. The knowledge that he was a graduate from Duntroon naturally made an Officer, in need of information, ask his advice on many matters, and it was always given in a manner entirely free from arrogance or "superior knowledge" style.

'Whilst the 3rd Brigade was waiting at Lemnos Island (March 4th to April 12th, 1915, Lieut. Patterson's time was especially devoted to scout training.

'He landed with the 12th Battalion on Gallipoli on Sunday 25th April 1915. He came ashore in the first tow from the T.B. Destroyer "Ribble" (to which boat H.Q. and "A" Coy. 12th Battalion had been transferred from H.M. Troopship "Devanha"). The boats from this tow beached at a point north of Anzac Cove, opposite Walker's Ridge; "A" Coy or portion of it, No. 1 Platoon being included, moved at once to the top of Walker's Ridge in the direction of Sari Bair. They had been subjected to rifle, machine gun and shrapnel fire between the troopship and the shore and when landing. During temporary halt on Walker's Ridge the Units on the left flank attempted to re-organise and also dug in to strengthen their position. Attacks were made on this flank by the Turkish Force and in order to assist the extreme left flank troops, the reorganised portions of 12th Battalion (portions of "A" and "D" Coys were here) moved forward again during the early afternoon. Lieut. Patterson was killed during this advance when leading his platoon. His action throughout has been marked by the same coolness and courage which has been a feature of his whole career in the 12th Battalion.

'His loss to the Battalion was a severe one; he was beloved by all ranks and all felt that they had lost a personal friend.'

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal