Military Cross : Lieutenant E E Paterson, 22 Battalion, AIF

Military Cross (Geo V). Engraved reverse with recipient's details. A silver safety chain has been added at a later date to the suspender ring. Cross is in its original case of issue.

Ernest Ellerman Paterson was born in Melbourne in 1881. He served in South Africa in the Boer War as a private in the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles Contingent, with the service number 751, between January 1900 and April 1901. Following the war Paterson maintained a keen interest in the military and served with a number of militia units: the Victorian Scottish Regiment, the Melbourne Cavalry and the 52nd (Hobson’s Bay) Infantry Regiment. He had been recently commissioned in the latter regiment when he enlisted for service in the First World War, on 25 September 1916. Paterson was assigned to the 18th reinforcements of 22 Battalion, AIF, as a 2nd Lieutenant. He sailed from Melbourne for overseas service on 23 November 1916, aboard HMAT Hororata, arriving in Britain at the end of January 1917. In May 1917 Paterson joined his battalion in France. He was promoted to lieutenant in September 1917. Paterson was awarded the Military Cross for an action which took place on 19 May 1918. The recommendation for the award reads, ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at VILLE SUR ANCRE. On 19th inst. When the Company Commander was wounded early in the attack, this Officer took command, reorganized the Company under heavy artillery and M.G. [machine gun] fire, and advanced to the objective. Without warning, Lieut. PATERSON found himself confronted by a M.G. crew bringing their gun into action. He immediately fired on them. Capturing the gun and taking the crew prisoners. He then under heavy fire reconnoitred the position and selected sites for the forward posts. Although the company had suffered heavily both in Officers & Men Lieut. PATERSON’s cool handling of the situation and his courage under heavy fire set a fine example to his men.’ Ernest Paterson was killed in action on 3 October 1918, near Estrées, during the Battle for the Hindenburg Line. He is buried at the Prospect Hill Cemetery at Gouy, France.