Patterson, William James
Corporal
No. 18606, ‘B’ Company, 13th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in action on Saturday 1 July 1916 (aged 26)
No known grave
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Thiepval Memorial, France (Pier and Face 15 A and 15 B)
Newtownards and District War Memorial
Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) Roll of Honour 1914 – 1919 for
Regent Street Presbyterian Church Newtownards
Journey of Remembering Belfast Book of Honour
BIOGRAPHY
In the Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 – 1919 database it is recorded that William James Patterson was born in Moneyreagh.
William James Patterson was born on 26 January 1890 in the townland of Tullyhubbert, Moneyreagh and he was a son of Martin and Mary Jane Patterson (nee Erwin, sometimes Irwin, sometimes Irvine) who were married on 5 August 1882 in Lisburn Registrar’s Office. Martin Patterson (aged 27) from Ballycrune, Annahilt, Lisburn was a son of William Patterson, a labourer. Mary Jane Erwin (aged 19) from Ballycrune, Annahilt, Lisburn was a daughter of James Erwin, a labourer.
Martin Patterson died of apoplexy in Newtownards Workhouse on 2 June 1899 (aged 45). Mary Jane Patterson worked as a general domestic servant and in 1901 she and William James were living in the townland of Greengraves, Newtownards.
William James Patterson enlisted on 19 September 1914 in Newtownards and served with the 13th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles in 108th Brigade of the 36th (Ulster) Division. His address was 197 Mill Street, Newtownards and he had previously been a member of ‘B’ Company of the Newtownards Branch of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF).
Corporal William James Patterson and Mary Stronge were married on 4 June 1915 in Regent Street Presbyterian Church Newtownards. William James Patterson stationed at Clandeboye Camp was a son of Martin Patterson, a labourer. Mary Stronge from Balfour Street, Newtownards was a daughter of Alexander Stronge, a joiner.
Corporal William James Patterson was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme and, at the time, his wife Mary was living at 278A Newtownards Road, Belfast.
Corporal William James Patterson (No. 18606) has no known grave and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France; on Newtownards and District War Memorial; in the PCI Roll of Honour for Regent Street Presbyterian Church Newtownards and in the Belfast Book of Honour (Page 526).