Lot 55
1st of April Tragedy
"Behind The Wire" - Medal and Militaria Sale | M25001
Auction: 17 September 2025 at 14:00 BST
Description
The Great War Tragic Group of 4 to Corporal James Paterson, 1st Section 23rd Division Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery who Died at the 2nd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station on the 1st of April 1917 – The court of enquiry into the accident that killed him - barn doors flew open and knocked off a ladder onto flagstones below comprising 1914-15 Star, (41288 A, Bmbr: J. Paterson. R.F.A.), 1914-1920 British war and Victory Medals, (41288 Cpl. J. Paterson. R.A.), Memorial Plaque, (James Paterson), lightly toned very fine, (4)
Proceedings of a Court of Enquiry assembled In The field on the 3rd of April 1917 …… for the purpose of enquiring into the Death of 41288 Corporal Paterson J. 1st Section 23rd. D.A.C. on 1st of April sustained the previous evening.
1st Witness No. 19108 Gr. Chapman E. At about 10 minutes past 8 on the evening of Saturday March 31st. I was sitting in my Billette, which was in a Barn, which we got access by ladder when I saw the Corporal’s head appear. He was apparently trying to open the doors which do not fasten inside, when they flew open and he was precipitated on to the stones below. I looked out and called for assistance and we carried the Corporal who was unconscious to the Guard Tent and sent for the M.O.
2nd Witness No 91869 Dr Elmer H. I was lying on my bed about 8.10PM on sat 31st of March when I heard a thud on the stones outside, another man called out “Someone has fallen off the ladder” I went down and assisted Gunner Chapman to carry the Corporal to the Guard Tent and he sent for the M.O.
3rd Witness Captain Hamilton R.A.M.C. I was sent for on Sat evening 31st of march at about 8.30 pm and on reaching the spot found Corporal Paterson in the Guard Tent at No 1 Section lines “ He was unconscious and bleeding from both ears evidently having fractured the base of his skull”, I at once ordered his removal to the 69th Field Ambulance and made arrangements accordingly.
Findings
I am of the opinion that Corporal Paterson’s death was as the result of an accident, that the soldier was not to blame, and that he was on duty at the time.
Signed D Arbuthnot Brigadier General C.R.A. 23rd Div
James Paterson joined the Royal Field Artillery on the 14th of October 1914 he served in France from the 25th of August 1915 until his tragic death on the 1st of April 1917 when he fell from a ladder fracturing his skull. He is buried in Plot 11 Row C Grave 20 of Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium, he was the son of Anges and the late David Paterson of 23 Regent street, Rutherglen, Glasgow he Was 43 years old.
Sold with Copy service Papers and Commonwealth War Garves Information Copy Medal Index Card and Medal Rolls, copy photograph of Headstone and Memorial
Medals housed in a glazed frame
