James Paton likeness

James Paton cap badgePrivate James Paton

1/5th (City of Glasgow) Battalion Highland Light Infantry
Service No: A/7962

James Paton grave

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Click here for a frameable A4 print
Personal details

Family Information

Son of Peter and Mary Mullen Paton of 2 Cameron St, Coatbridge. Husband of Lena Paton (15/06/1893 - ) of 18 Cameron St, Coatbridge. James' older brother Private Peter Paton of the 2nd Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was Killed in Action on the 21/10/1914. From the 1891 Census - Address - 17 Burnbank Crescent, Coatbridge - Peter Paton aged 30, Mary Paton aged 30, Daniel Paton aged 13, Peter Paton aged 10, Alexander Paton aged 7 (20/07/1884- ), Maggie Paton aged 1. (James was born 05/05/1892). From the 1901 Census - Address - 5 Burnbank Crescent, Coatbridge - Stepfather Edward McCluskey aged 25, Mother Mary McCluskey aged 38, Daniel Paton aged 21, Alex Paton aged 11, James Paton aged 8, Rebecca Paton aged 5 and Stepfather's brother John McCluskey aged 40. James' Pension was awarded to wife Lena c/o Mrs Morgan, 16 Canal St, Coatbridge on the 21/11/1918.

Born / Resided

17 Burnbank Crescent, Coatbridge / 18 Cameron St, Coatbridge

Died

Died of Wounds on the 22/05/1918 at the 7th Casualty Clearing Station, Ligny-St-Flochel. Wounds sustained near Vimy Ridge

Enlisted

Hamilton 1914

Employed

Waverley Iron Works / Reservist

Age

26 / DOB - 05/05/1892

Buried / Remembered

Ligny-St Flochel British Cemetery (I. C. 4), Pas de Calais, France

Cemetery / Memorial Information

The cemetery was started at the beginning of April 1918 when the 7th Casualty Clearing Station came back from Tincques ahead of the German advance. At the end of May the 33rd Casualty Clearing Station arrived from Aire and in August, No.1 Casualty Clearing Station from Pernes. All three stations had left Ligny-St Flochel by November 1918. There are 632 Commonwealth burials of the First World War in this cemetery and a further 46 German war graves.

Additional Information

MORE FAMILY INFORMATION - The Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser dated 01/06/1918 states that James' mother had lost 3 sons by that time. James, Peter and Alexander (information to follow on Alexander). According to James' brother Daniel's grandson Thomas Paton he had a brother William who died at a young age and a sister Rebecca (on the 1901 Census) who is buried in Old Monkland Cemetery. Rebecca is listed as DAUGHTER of Edward McCluskey and Mary McCluskey on the 1901 Census. James arrived in France with the 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry on the 29/11/1914. They were part of the 5th Brigade, 2nd Division. He was also with the 12th (Service) Battalion Highland Light Infantry who were part of the 46th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. On the 11/05/1915 the 1/5th Battalion Highland Light Infantry became part of the 157th Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division. On the 26/05/1915 they sailed from Devonport for Gallipoli, going via Egypt (5th - 28th June) and Mudros (1st July), landing at Cape Helles on the 3rd July. On the 08/01/1916 they were evacuated from Gallipoli to Mudros and arrived in Egypt in February. On the 11/04/1918 the Division left Egypt, the Battalion arrived at Marseilles on the 17th April for service on Western Front. Orders were received on the 24th March that the Division would be relieved by the 7th (Meerut) Division and that it would then proceed to France. The Divisional Artillery was exchanged with that of the Indian Division and all units sailed from Alexandria between the 4th and 11th April. The Division went via Marseilles and concentrated near Abbeville by the 23rd April. En route the ship Kingstonian, carrying IX Brigade Royal Field Artillery, 413 Company Royal Engineers and a section of the Divisional Ammunition Column) was torpedoed on the 11th April. On the 29th April the Division moved to Aire and took over a sector of front line near Vimy Ridge on the 6th May until the 21st May when the 8th Division took over. During their time here the different units took turns in the line, and the usual patrolling and trench warfare carried on. Some small trench raids and reconnaissance's were carried out by the different Battalions, and there were several encounters between patrols, in which the Lowlanders usually got the better of it. Several gas-projector attacks were made from the Divisions lines, and both sides shelled with gas, high explosives and shrapnel, the British carrying out some very destructive bombardments of the German lines. James served in Egypt and France and was wounded once. See Directory for James' brother Peter's page. James is listed as 2nd BATTALION on the Coatbridge Memorial (his original Battalion. He also fought with the 12th Battalion). He is also remembered on the Maxwell Church Roll of Honour (see photos). See photos for James' Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Birth Records, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report, Ligny-St Flochel British Cemetery, the Highland Light Infantry Cap Badge and James' Pension Records x 3.

Photos
James Paton Medal Index CardJames Paton newspaper clippingJames Paton newspaper clippingJames Paton remembered at homeJames Paton remembered at homeJames Paton remembered at homeJames Paton remembered at homeJames Paton additional photoJames Paton additional photoJames Paton additional photoJames Paton additional photoJames Paton additional photoJames Paton additional photoJames Paton additional photoJames Paton additional photo

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Comments
James paton peter paton was my grandfathers brothers the 3rd son was called alexander paton born onjuly 20th 1884 peter was born on the 27 feb 1882 and james was born on the may 5th 1892 i have all 3 birth certs peter and james death certs but cannot find alexanders it hase been said that alex was in forfor at the time and joind up there i have a death cert of a private alexander paton age 31 death 9 /5/1915 in france or belguim reg no 9894 1st bat royal highlanders not a 100% shure but still looking into that
Tom paton, Coatbridge, 13/12/2019 10:48PM

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