4986228, Private, John William PATERSON
Aged 21
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Born in Q1-1923, [Newmarket 3b:732], son of James and Gertrude Violet Mary PATERSON (née BONHAM) of Worksop, previously from Newmarket, and who returned to Newmarket. He had been living in Nottinghamshire.
In the 1939 register, at 81 St. Philip's Road, Newmarket were his father James [6-11-1886] stableman; mother Gertrude V [18-4-1895] and brother Clifford A [7-10-1927]. There are 3 closed records. |
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After getting back from Dunkirk with only 79 men, 1st Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders was re-formed in Yorkshire and carried on training.
They embarked again for overseas service on 11th April 1942. Arriving India they spent 2 years training for combined Operations and jungle warfare as well as
an internal security role. In March 1944, as the Japanese advanced through Burma and India came under threat, 1st Camerons moved to Assam, to halt the Japs
advance at Kohima. On 14th April 1944, by a successful attack on the Japs at Zubza, the road was opened for the relief of Kohima. In these critical operations
1st Camerons penetrated the Jap lines and captured the Naga Village on "Point 5120", a hill of tactical importance, They then took Aradura spur, a strongpoint
of Japanese defences. With Kohima recaptured, 1st Camerons advanced south, attacking Viswema, until by 22nd June 1944, the road from Kohima to Imphal was
reopened. The battle for Kohima cost 1st Camerons 283 casualties. By the time of John's death the Japanese were withdrawing from Kohima and the Allies were
in pursuit. Despite the monsoon, they were not going to give them time to re-group. Nine of the battalion died on the 10th June, all are buried in Kohima War Cemetery
All told 2,338 British and Indian troops died in the Battle for Kohima
John was initially buried in a plot behind the Field Ambulance at Milestone 54 and moved into Kohima on 4th October 1944. |
© Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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