Major Hugh Patterson 1896 - 1946
Major Hugh Patterson 12th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers Interrogation Officer.
Hugh Patterson was born in Collingwood Tce, Newcastle and was the son of William and Georgana. He joined the Territorial Army, Royal Engineers. At the outbreak of World War 1 he served with the 2/1st (North Midland) Field Company and landed in France on 1st March 1915 as part of the 46th Division. The 46th Division saw action in the following areas
1915
The German liquid fire attack at Hooge (30-31 July 1915)
The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt (13 October 1915)
1916
The diversionary attack at Gommecourt (1 July 1916)
1917
Operations on the Ancre (March)
Occupation of the Gommecourt defences (4 March)
The attack on Rettemoy Graben (12 March)
The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line
The attack on Lievin (1 July)
The Battle of Hill 70 (15-25 August)
1918
The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise*
The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line*
The Battle of Cambrai*
* the battles marked * are phases of the Battles of the Hindenburg Line 1918
The Battle of the Selle**
The Battle of Sambre**
** the battles marked ** are phases of the Final Advance in Picardy
He transferred to the 3rd Bombay Sappers and Miners and served with them from 1919 in Afghanistan. When he left the Army he became a Motor Garage proprietor and then Managing Director of the City Wire Works (formerly William Patterson & Sons Wire Works) founded in 1881 by his father. He volunteered to serve his country again during World War Two and being able to speak fluent German was appointed 12th Battalion Interrogation Officer with the rank of Major. After World War Two he retired early because of illness and moved to Haltwhistle to be with his sister. He died shortly after this in 1946
Information and photograph kindly supplied by Mrs K McKay.
If you have any information on Hugh Patterson or anyone who served in the Northumberland Home Guard, Newcastle Battalions please contact ph@ccoynblhomeguard.co.uk