In Sunderland Southwick Cemetery is the Commonwealth War Grave with a private headstone of S4/060087 Corporal George William Patterson, serving with the Army Service Corps who died 08/10/1916.

The son of Robert and Elizabeth Jane Patterson. He was born at Southwick.

The headstone reads:

In loving memory of
Corporal
George W. Pattison
Who died at the
Royal Herbert Hospital, Woolwich
Oct. 8th 1916, aged 20 years.
Erected by his Woolwich Friends.

Also of
Nora E.
Daughter of
R.E. Pattison
Who died July 1st 1916
Aged 33 years.

Also of
Robert,
Husband of
Elizabeth Pattison
who died March 31st 1916
aged 63 years.

Derek Haynes has submitted the following:

George was born 18th May 1896 at 3 Keats Avenue, Southwick the youngest child of Robert & Elizabeth Jane Pattison (nee Jeffrey). He was baptised on the 28th June 1896 at Holy Trinity Parish Church, Southwick. Georges parents were married on the 26th November 1882 in Christ Church in the parish of Bishopwearmouth, both Robert and Elizabeth signed the register and Robert gave his employment as a blacksmith. Georges siblings Nora Elizabeth and Robert Jeffrey were also born at 3 Keats Avenue and baptised at Holy Trinity Church, Southwick.
Nora Elizabeth was born on the 16th March 1884 and baptised 21st May 1884.
Robert Jeffrey was born on the 31st January 1892 and baptised 23rd March 1892

By the time of the 1901 census the family was still living in three rooms at 3 Keats Avenue, Southwick, with his father Robert was employed as a Blacksmith at an engine works. His mother Elizabeth was responsible for the household and taking care of the children.

Sometime between 1901 and 1911 the family, while still living in the parish of Southwick moved to 26 Carlisle Terrace (5 rooms). George was now 14 and was employed by the Marine Engine Works as an Engineer’s Clerk. His brother Robert was also employed as a Clerk for a bottle works company. It appears that Nora was working from home as a Dressmaker, their father was still following his trade of Blacksmith and, like his son Robert, he also worked for a bottle works company.

At the time of writing no record of George’s war service can not be found. We do know he enlisted in the Army Service Corps and was given the Regimental No. S4/060087 gaining promotion to the rank of Corporal.

As the new year of 1916 arrived Elizabeth (George’s mother) would have no idea of what a tragic year it was going to be for the family. On the 21st March 1916, while a patient in the Royal Infirmary, George’s father Robert aged 63 years died. He was laid to rest on the 24th March 1916 in Section O Grave no. 5615 of Southwick Cemetery.

It would be only about 3 months later when tragedy would strike again; 32 year old Nora died on the 1st July 1916, and was also laid to rest in Southwick Cemetery on the 4th July 1916.

It is not known when Elizabeth was informed of the wounds George received nor the length of time he spent in the Royal Herbert Hospital, Woolwich where he died on the 8th October 1916 aged 20 years.

George’s body was taken home to 26 Carlisle Terrace, Southwick and on the 12th October 1916 he was laid to rest in the same plot as his sister Ward O, Grave no. 5973 of Southwick Cemetery.

George must have left an impression on the people he came in contact with while a patient at the Royal Herbert Hospital, as the stone which stands as a memorial to him was erected by his Woolwich friends. It is now in a very dilapidated condition and is not a fitting memorial to a young man who gave his life for his country. I have been trying for some time now to have it repaired with no success.

His mother Elizabeth Jane lived to the age of 87 years and died in early December 1943 in the Municipal Hospital, she was laid to rest on the 8th December 1943 in the same plot as her husband.

There is confusion with the surname. The headstone has “Pattison” while the CWGC has “Patterson”.

George Pattison is remembered at Southwick on S130.03, both names are at Southwick on S130.22 and in Peter Gibson’s book.  . George William Patterson is remembered in Sunderland in S140.48 Part 12 page 271.

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