George Henry Tatham Paton
Captain, 4th Battalion. Grenadier Guards
- Register No.
- 969 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Captain (register: Acting Captain) all Captains →
- Unit
- 4th Battalion. Grenadier Guards all Grenadier Guards VCs →
- Date of action
- 1 December 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 13th February 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Born
- the 3rd October 1895 at Inellan, Argyllshire, Scotland
- Died
- in action on the 1st December 1917 at Gonnelieu, France
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- at Metz-en-Couture Communal Cemetery, British Extension, France
Digest of citation
On the 1st December 1917 when the unit on his left was driven back, leaving his flank in the air and his company completely surrounded, he exposed himself fearlessly in order to readjust the line, walking up and down within 50 yards of the enemy, all the time under withering fire. He was the last to leave the village after having, personally, removed several of the wounded men. He again readjusted the line, and regardless of all danger, exposed himself to the enemy. The enemy counter-attacked four-times, and each time Captain Paton leapt on to the Parapet to stimulate his command. After the enemy had broken through on his left, he again mounted the Parapet, and with a few men who had been inspired by his example, forced the enemy to withdraw once more. There was no doubt that this action saved the left flank. He was mortally wounded
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
PATON, George Henry Tatham. (reg No. 969).
Captain. 4th Battalion. Grenadier Guards.
London Gazetted on 13th February 1918.
Born on the 3rd October 1895 at Inellan, Argyllshire, Scotland.
Killed in action on the 1st December 1917 at Gonnelieu, France.
Memorial on grave at Metz-en-Couture Communal Cemetery, British Extension, France.
Digest of Citation reads: On the 1st December 1917 when the unit on his left was driven back, leaving his flank in the air and his company completely surrounded, he exposed himself fearlessly in order to readjust the line, walking up and down within 50 yards of the enemy, all the time under withering fire. He was the last to leave the village after having, personally, removed several of the wounded men. He again readjusted the line, and regardless of all danger, exposed himself to the enemy. The enemy counter-attacked four-times, and each time Captain Paton leapt on to the Parapet to stimulate his command. After the enemy had broken through on his left, he again mounted the Parapet, and with a few men who had been inspired by his example, forced the enemy to withdraw once more. There was no doubt that this action saved the left flank. He was mortally wounded.
Additional information:. Captain Paton also held the Military Cross (MC). He was the son of George William Paton, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Messrs Bryant and May Ltd and his wife, Etta Tatham of 3 Whitehall Court, S W. He was educated at Rottingdean School and at Clifton College. In September 1914 he joined the Army. He was gazetted Second Lieutenant in the 17th County of London Regiment making First Lieutenant on 3rd October 1915. He transferred to the Grenadier Guards in January 1916 and was promoted Second Lieutenant on the 28th January 1916, Becoming Acting Captain on 4th June 1917. He was awarded the Military Cross in August 1917. He was the first Grenadier Guard's officer to win the Victoria Cross since the Crimea.
Additional information
Captain Paton also held the Military Cross (MC). He was the son of George William Paton, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Messrs Bryant and May Ltd and his wife, Etta Tatham of 3 Whitehall Court, S W. He was educated at Rottingdean School and at Clifton College. In September 1914 he joined the Army. He was gazetted Second Lieutenant in the 17th County of London Regiment making First Lieutenant on 3rd October 1915. He transferred to the Grenadier Guards in January 1916 and was promoted Second Lieutenant on the 28th January 1916, Becoming Acting Captain on 4th June 1917. He was awarded the Military Cross in August 1917. He was the first Grenadier Guard's officer to win the Victoria Cross since the Crimea.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Metz-en-Couture Communal Cemetery, British Extension, France
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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