Photo: Pauline Priano
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
George Forster Pattinson, one of 2 children, was the only son of Forster Pattinson and Elizabeth Brown Elliott.
His father Forster Pattinson, 2-years of age and his widowed mother Mary Ann Pattinson nee Forster, were living in 1871 with his aunt, hotelier, Elizabeth Forster, in Blanchland, Northumberland. His mother (29), was employed by her as a cook, as was her sister Ellen Forster (27) a barmaid, 18-year old Hannah Philipson was a general servant. Ten years later Elizabeth had gone into service, leaving the running of the hotel to her sisters, however in 1891 his mother was a farmer in Blanchland who employed Forster (22) as her helper.
Forster Pattinson was married in the district of Carlisle, Cumberland, April 23rd 1893, to Elizabeth Brown Elliott, born in 1866, eldest daughter of publisher and bookseller, John George Elliott native of Barnard Castle and Bridgett Sewell, deceased, born in Cumberland. George Forster Pattinson was born in 1893, in Healey, Northumberland, his sister Mary Eleanor, January 20th 1900, baptised November 4th. Forster was farming at Winnows Hill Farm in 1901, assisted by shepherd William Jameson and general servant Dorothy Nesbitt, however, by 1911 that had completely changed, he was now an auctioneer and valuer employing George (16) in the family business, Mary Eleanor (11) was a scholar. They had moved into Orchard House, Shotley Bridge, consisting of 11 rooms and taken into their home, Elizabeth’s father, John George Elliott, now retired.
Aged 19-years when war was declared, August 4th 1914, George Forster Pattinson was one of the first to enlist, assigned as Private 1922 to the 1/1st Northumberland Hussars Yeomanry, a Territorial Army Squadron. Private Pattinson was assigned to Squadron “B” at the Army Riding School, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland and departed to France, September 20th 1915. The 1/1st had originally been attached to the Yorkshire Mounted Brigade joining the 7th Infantry Division but this had been split up in France and Squadron “B” was attached to the 1st Infantry Division, April 13th 1915, until reuniting May 1916, becoming the XIII Corps Cavalry Division. Their first major role was during the Battles of the Somme, due to commence June 29th but delayed by bad weather, on July 1st 1916 the corps held the southern flank of the British line, their objective, the village of Montauban, which was seized. During the conflict of WW1 they remained on the Western Front.
In 1917 when the Territorials were renumbered Private Pattinson became service number 270952 and was discharged from the ranks in order to take up a commission serving as of January 29th 1918 as 2nd Lieutenant attached to the 1/5th Durham Light Infantry.
The 1/5th D.L.I. in January 1918 was in the mud filled trenches of the Ypres salient in Belgium. When the Germans attacked again on the Somme, March 21st 1918, using gas and high explosive shells, as part of the 151st Brigade, the 1/5th D.L.I. was rushed into battle but driven back by the ferocity of the attack sustaining a high number of casualties. May 27th 1918 the weakened battalion joined the rest of the equally weakened brigade in attacking on the Aisne where they were destroyed during the ensuing battles.
2nd Lieutenant George Forster Pattison, initially reported amongst the missing was later confirmed to have been killed in action. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 3,887 names inscribed on the Soissons Memorial, Aisne, commemorating British servicemen who were killed in the sector during the Battles of the Aisne and the Marne in 1918 who have no known grave. 2nd Lieut. Pattinson was 24-years of age and single.
His father received all monies due to him from the Army, his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal, sent to him at Orchard House, Shotley Bridge, Northumberland, May 23rd 1919 Forster Pattinson was awarded Georges’ effects in the sum of 245 pounds 2 shillings 2 pence.
His father, mother and sister commissioned a commemorative stained glass window in remembrance of George and his sacrifice which can be found at St. John’s Church, Shotley Bridge.
Mary Eleanor Pattinson (registered in error as Pattison) was married in 1920 in the district of Hexham, Northumberland to William James Ridley. Upon the death of her mother, Elizabeth Brown Pattinson nee Elliott of The Barn, Shotley Bridge, March 11th 1933, aged 67-years, her effects in the sum of 1688 pounds 8 shillings 11 pence passed to farmer William James Ridley and John Frederick Wraith, bank cashier. Elizabeth’s death had been preceded in 1926 by that of her husband Forster Pattinson aged 57-years.
William James and Mary Eleanor had 4 children, George W. Ridley in 1920, Margret 1923, Robert Pattinson Ridley 1925 and Alex 1934.
Mary Eleanor Ridley nee Pattinson may have died in 1981, Blackpool F.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
George Forster Pattinson is remembered at Shotley Low Quarter on S28.01, S28.02 and S28.07 at Shotley Bridge on S27.01 and possibly at Consett on C101.13
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 131
