PATTEN Thomas

Awarded DCM.  Served in the South African Campaign.

Thomas Patten was born on the 12th September 1875 and baptised at St Ambrose R.C. Church on the 26th September 1875, the son of Bernard and Maria Patten nee Boyle.

Thomas Patten enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on the 24th August 1914 at Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. On his attestation form he gave his place of birth as Kidderminster, Worcestershire, England, his date of birth as 25th September 1876, and his occupation as a labourer. He had previously served 10 years 45 Days with the Worcestershire Regiment. He gave his next of kin as his mother, Mary Patten, 194 Terauley Street, Toronto, this was later amended to 151 Elm Street, Long Island City, New York, U.S.A. Thomas was 5 feet 11½ inches tall with blue eyes, brown hair and a sallow complexion.

Thomas sailed from Quebec, Canada with his unit on the S.S. Royal George on the 3rd October 1914. On the 19th November 1914 he was promoted to Corporal, sailing from Southampton to France on the 20th December 1914 where he was promoted to Sergeant on the 17th February 1915. Thomas was killed in action on the 8th May 1915.

National Archives of Canada Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 7630 – 33.