Walter Paton

Walter Boldero Paton (19 April 1853 – 11 February 1937) was an English barrister who also wrote guides to emigration to the British colonies. In his youth, he was a keen footballer who played for Oxford University in the 1873 FA Cup Final and for England in 1871 in a representative match against Scotland.

Family and education

Paton was born in Hanover Terrace in the Regent's Park area of Westminster, London,^[1] the youngest son of George Paton,^[2] a barrister, and Laura Coore.^[3]

He was educated at Harrow School before going up to University College, Oxford in 1872. He graduated with a BA in 1876 and was awarded his MA in 1879.^[1]

Paton was married to Adeline Loftus,^[3] the daughter of Capt. Arthur John Loftus and Lady Catherine Loftus,^[4] who was the daughter of John Loftus, 2nd Marquess of Ely.^[5] His wife was a lady-in-waiting to Queen Victoria from 1889 to 1892.^[6]

His brother, Frederick Lechmere Paton,^[3] was married to Frederica Chenevix Trench,^[7] daughter of Maj.-Gen. Frederick Chenevix Trench and granddaughter of Richard Chenevix Trench (1807–1886),^[8] Archbishop of Dublin.

Football career

Paton first made his mark as a footballer during his years at Harrow, becoming team captain.^[1] He was still at school, aged only 17 years 214 days, when he was selected to play as a forward for the English XI in a representative match against a Scottish XI on 19 November 1870.^[9][10]

In Charles Alcock's ''Football Annual", Paton was summed up as "a strong and persevering forward [who] keeps side (the wing) well". Later in his career, he was described as "a very pretty dribbler but disinclined to pass the ball; can play extremely well when he likes".^[1]

In February 1873, he scored one of the goals in a 4–0 victory over Maidenhead in the Fourth round of the FA Cup,^[11] as a result of which Oxford University reached the FA Cup Final at the first attempt. In the final, the University played the Wanderers who were defending champions and had been given a "bye" direct to the final.^[12] Despite having several key players absent, the cup-holders were victorious by a 2–0 margin.^[13]

Paton again scored for the University in a 4–0 victory in the First round of the following season's cup tournament, this time against Upton Park^[11] although he was not part of the team that won that year's final.^[14]

He was also a member of the Wanderers club,^[15] as well as Old Harrovians and their sister club Harrow Chequers.^[1]

Legal career

On leaving university, Paton qualified as a barrister, becoming a student of the Inner Temple on 21 June 1876 and was called to the Bar on 25 June 1879.^[2] He then practised on the Western Circuit until he retired in 1916.^[1]

Publications

He was the author of several publications and guides for emigrants from the United Kingdom to then British colonies, including:

• State-aided emigration: published 1885 for the Central Emigration Society.^[16]
• The Handy Guide to Emigration to the British Colonies: Containing the rules and regulations ... and other information useful to emigrants, and to persons sending them out: published 1886.^[17]
• New Zealand handbook, with map: published 1908 by the Emigrants' Information Office.^[18]
• South Australia handbook, with map: published 1908 by the Emigrants' Information Office.^[19]
• Handbooks on Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, with maps: published 1912 by the Emigrants' Information Office.^[20]

Death

Paton died, aged 83, at Stanhope Gardens, Kensington, London, on 11 February 1937.^[1]

Sporting honours

Oxford University A.F.C.

• 1873 FA Cup Final – runner-up.

References