| Surname: | Patterson |
| Initials: | H J |
| Rank: | Sergeant |
| Army Number: | 7685172 |
| Notes: | CMP. From Forgandenny, East Lothian. Enlisted in to CMP. 51 (H) Div Pro Coy, CMP. Info from Army Record:- Born 25/10/12 at Lady Kirk, Berwickshire, enlisted 22/6/39, discharged 21/11/45, married 14/2/34 at Wittingham, East Lothian, occupation Labourer. Served Home 22/6/39 to 24/8/39, Embodied 25/8/39 to 19/1/40, France 20/1/40 to 11/6/40, Home 12/6/40 to 17/6/42, Middle East 18/6/42 to 20/10/45, Home 21/10/45 to 31/1/46, Z (T) Res. 1/2/45 to 9/2/54, AG Res. 10/2/54 to 25/10/57. Discharge Certificate:- trade on enlistment truck driver, conduct exemplary. This Sgt has been a particularly efficient and hardworking military policeman. He is reliable in all respects. Has received an award for gallantry in the field. He is a good driver and can drive all types of vehicles a motorcycle. Signed Lt/Col, DPM, HQ Syria & Lebanon Pro Coy, Beirut, 2/10/45. Address:-"Eastfield" Forgandenny, Perthshire. 12/12/85 he was awarded the 1939-1945 Star, Africa Star (8 Army clasp), Italy Star, Defence & War Medals. Awarded the MM in London Gazette, 21/10/43. Wounded in action 16/7/43. 10/4/44 to Syria & Lebanon Pro Coy, CMP. Casualty List 1212, Sicily, Wounded, date not reported, (15/6/1943). Casualty List 1220, Sicily, Wounded date should read 16/7/1943. 51 (H) Div Pro Coy War Diary WO 169/8806. 18/7/43 In The Field. Lt. Mackintosh and Cpl. Patterson proceeded to mark route for 158 Bde. to area a r 6151 (sheet 56 Catania) ambushed by enemy at point 6244, enemy armed with two automatic and several rifles under command of an officer. At ambush point they were thirty yards from enemy travelling on a Bantam, and accompanied by two Italian POW they had picked up on route. The prisoners decided to join their comrades. The enemy opened fire and were engaged from behind the Jeep. Cpl Patterson seriously wounded and Lt. Mackintosh tried to get on to the high ground and came under fire from several rifles and was forced to surrender. The enemy ceased to fire and on walking towards them in surrender Lt. Mackintosh managed to escape between some rocks. He crawled behind some rocks where he managed to hide until a Seaforth carrier arrived. He warned the occupants of the presence of the enemy made of with the Bantam and all the kit. Cpl Patterson was picked up a little later by the section who were following behind the carrier. Cpl Patterson showed a cool determined defiance beyond all praise throughout the encounter even though in a state of collapse through loss of blood. He was instrumental in saving his comrades from a similar fate. It was from this point forward that the Battle of FRANCA PONTES was fought. Hugh Jeffrey Patterson. |
Decoration Record: | |
| Decoration: | Military Medal (London Gazette: 36217 Page: 4663 Oct. 21, 1943) |
| Citation: | Military Medal Citation.SicilyOn the 15 July 1943 Corporal Patterson in company with Lieutenant J M Mackintosh 51 Highland Div Pro Coy went forward to sign the route of advance of 152 Brigade from CASSIBLE to BRONCOFORTE. After passing through to BUCCHERI, some Italian soldiers were encountered and taken prisoner, but very shortly afterwards Lieutenant Mackintosh and Corporal Patterson found themselves face to face with a party of 15 more Italians armed with machine guns. The prisoners taken previously then attempted to escape, and one of these was then shot by Lieutenant Mackintosh. The rest of the Italians then opened fire on the pair. Corporal Patterson was immediately severely wounded but continued to fire back. In a short time Corporal Patterson heard a vehicle approaching from our side of the road and realized that this vehicle would run straight into the enemy's fire. In spite of his severe chest wound, and risking the chance of again being shot by the enemy by coming out into the open, Corporal Patterson crawled round the corner and succeeded in preventing the vehicle from coming further, and this saved the occupants. Some minutes later carriers of 152 Brigade arrived and cleared up the situation.Throughout this tense and dangerous action Corporal Patterson showed the highest courage and clear-headedness and upheld the best traditions of the Highland Division.Awarded an immediate MM. Recommended by Major G C Ferguson APM 51 Div. National Archive WO 373/3. |