John George Pattison

John George Pattison VC (September 8, 1875 – June 3, 1917), was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

One of four soldiers to earn the Victoria Cross at the Battle of Vimy Ridge, (the others were Thain Wendell MacDowell, Ellis Wellwood Sifton and William Johnstone Milne), Pattison was 41 years old, and a private in the 50th (Calgary) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 10 April 1917 at the Battle of Vimy Ridge when the advance of our troops was held up by an enemy machine-gun which was inflicting severe casualties, Private Pattison, with utter disregard of his own safety, sprang forward and jumping from shell-hole to shell-hole, reached cover within thirty yards of the enemy gun. From this point, in the face of heavy fire he hurled bombs killing and wounding some of the crew, and then rushed forward overcoming and bayoneting the surviving five gunners. His initiative and valour undoubtedly saved the situation.

He was killed in action, Lens, France, on 3 June 1917.

Further information

Grave/memorial at Buried at La Chaudière Military Cemetery, France. 7m N. of Arras. Plot IV. Row C. Grave 14. Headstone (shows age 42).

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Glenbow Museum "(Calgary, Alberta, Canada)".

External links

* [http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/content/collections/VC/detail.cfm?casualty=80814 JOHN GEORGE PATTISON] "(service/personal details, photograph, citation, relevant documents, burial information)"
* [http://www.legionmagazine.com/features/victoriacross/04-11.asp Legion Magazine Article on John George Pattison]
* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=8553622 Find-A-Grave profile for John George Pattison]