George Henry Tatham Paton
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George Henry Tatham Paton VC MC (3 October 1895-December 1, 1917) was a Scottish 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.
He was 22 years old, and an Acting Captain in the 4th Battalion, Grenadier Guards, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On December 1, 1917 at Gonnelieu, France, when a unit on Captain Paton's left was driven back, thus leaving his flank in the air and his company practically surrounded, he walked up and down adjusting the line, within 50 yards of the enemy, under a withering fire. He personally removed several wounded men and was the last to leave the village. Later he again adjusted the line and when the enemy counter-attacked four times, each time sprang on to the parapet, deliberately risking his life, in order to stimulate his men. He was eventually mortally wounded.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the The Guards Regimental Headquarters (Grenadier Guards RHQ) in London, England.
[edit] References
- Harvey, David (1999). Monuments to Courage.
- Buzzell, Nora (1997). The Register of the Victoria Cross.
- Ross, Graham (1995). Scotland's Forgotten Valour.
