Patterson, Robert
Rifleman
No. 18613, ‘C’ Company, 13th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in action on Saturday 1 July 1916 (aged 21)
No known grave
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Thiepval Memorial, France (Pier and Face 15 A and 15 B)
BIOGRAPHY
In the Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 – 1919 database it is recorded that Robert Patterson (No. 18613) was born in Purdysburn, lived in Belfast and enlisted in Comber. There is circumstantial evidence from one source that Robert Patterson was working in Comber when he enlisted.
Robert William Patterson from Bryansford had Number 18612 and James Patterson from Ballygowan had Number 18614.
In the Army Register of Soldiers’ Effects his father’s name is recorded as William Patterson.
Robert Patterson was born on 12 September 1894 in the townland of Ballycowan, Lisburn, and he was a son of William and Jessie Patterson (nee Wishart) who were married on 9 November 1888 in Drumbo Parish Church of Ireland Church. William Patterson worked as a blacksmith’s helper, then as a yarn weaver, and finally as a night watchman.
William and Jessie Patterson (nee Wishart) had at least ten children:
Mary (born 10 March 1889 at Ballynavally, Lisburn; married Samuel Hunter 25 March 1910 in Drumbo Parish Church of Ireland Church)
James (born 18 March 1891 at Ballycowan, Lisburn)
William (born 15 November 1892 at Ballycowan, Lisburn)
Robert (born 12 September 1894 at Ballycowan, Lisburn)
Emily (born 2 December 1896 at Edenderry, Lisburn)
Thomas (born 26 February 1899 at Edenderry, Lisburn)
Jessie (born 3 September 1900 at Edenderry, Lisburn)
Elizabeth (Eliza, born 9 April 1902 at Edenderry, Lisburn)
Agnes (Aggie, born 24 April 1904 at Edenderry, Lisburn)
Annie (born 1 December 1905 at Edenderry, Lisburn)
Their mother, Jessie Patterson, died as the result of gastric ulcer peritonitis on 19 December 1905 (aged 36) at Edenderry. Her husband William was with her when she died.
Rifleman Robert Patterson (No. 18613) went to France on 6 October 1915 and was reported as missing in action on 1 July 1916. Later he was officially presumed to be dead. His father, William Patterson, lived at 78 Howard Street (South) Belfast.
On 26 February 1926 William Patterson got a job as a night watchman in the Broadway Damask Weaving Factory and the following night he died in very mysterious circumstances. Foul play was considered and many newspaper columns were devoted to the story. The official outcome was that William Patterson, a widower, late of 78 Howard Street, Belfast, died on 27 February 1926 in the pump house of Broadway Damask Weaving Factory (aged 57). The cause of death was, ‘Scalding of left half of body accidentally caused after being stunned by a fall.’