Peter Paton

Killed in Action on the 21/10/1914 at Le Maisnil at the Battle of Armentieres

On the 14/08/1914 the Battalion landed at Boulogne as Lines of Communication troops. On the 22/08/1914 they came under orders of the 19th Infantry Brigade, which was not allocated to a Division but was an independent command at this time. On the 12/10/1914 they transferred with the Brigade to the 6th Division. Peter was Killed in Action at the Battle of Armentieres, 13th October - 2nd November 1914. From the 2nd Battalion War Diary - "At 3.30am on the 21st October from Fromelles the Battalion paraded, 2 Platoons "D" Company being withdrawn, and marched to LE MAISNIL via PONT-DE-PIERRE. At 4.15am they halted at LE MAISNIL". SEE PHOTOS x 6 FROM THE BATTALION WAR DIARY 21/10/1914 AND MESSAGES AND SIGNALS x 6. The Battles of La Bassee, Armentieres and Messines, 10th October - 2nd November 1914 : The whole British Expeditionary Force is moved to Flanders from the Aisne, as part of an effort to outflank the Germans in France. On arrival it encounters German forces moving to outflank the Allies. These Battles form part of a phase often, but incorrectly, referred to as the "Race to the Sea". The Battle extends northwards as further forces arrive, with the First Battle of Ypres and the Battle of the Yser taking place at the same time. The British 6th Division of III Corps faced the German attack south of Armentieres from the 19th October to the 2nd November. It was gradually forced back. Premesques, Ennetieres, Wez Macquart and Radinghem all fall into enemy hands and would remain so until 1918. See Directory for Peter's younger brother James' page and photos for a mention of Peter in the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser. See photos for Peter's Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his Birth Record, his Death Record, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Ploegsteert Memorial x 2, his name on the Ploegsteert Memorial Panel List, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Cap Badge and Peter's Pension Records x 6. Finally, I have the Battalion War Diary from August 1914 till November 1915. If information is required please contact me.