John Paton (VC)

For other people named John Paton, see John Paton (disambiguation).
John Paton
Born (1833-12-23)23 December 1833
Stirling, Scotland
Died 1 April 1914(1914-04-01) (aged 80)
Summer Hill, New South Wales, Australia
Buried at Rookwood Cemetery, Sydney
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch  British Army
Rank Sergeant
Unit 93rd Regiment of Foot
Battles/wars
Awards Victoria Cross
Other work Prison Governor

John Paton VC (23 December 1833 – 1 April 1914) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

Paton was 23 years old, and a sergeant in the 93rd Regiment of Foot (later The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders,[1] British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place at the Siege of Lucknow for which he was awarded the VC:

For distinguished personal gallantry at Lucknow, on the 16th of November, 1857, in proceeding alone round the Shah Nujjiff under an extremely heavy-fire, discovering a breach on the opposite side, to which he afterwards conducted the Regiment, by which means that important position was taken.

Elected by the non-commissioned officers of the Regiment.[2]

He was celebrated as "The Hero of Lucknow".

He emigrated to Australia in 1861 becoming a prison governor.[1] He lived with his family in a cottage (no longer standing) near the corner of Prospect Road and Robert Street at Summer Hill in Sydney's inner western suburbs. He worshipped at St. Andrews Anglican Church on the corner of Henson and Smith Streets, Summer Hill. A magnificent bronze memorial was erected in his memory by his sisters and is located on the wall to the immediate left upon entering the church main entrance. A park located across the street from the church is named in his honour His grave (including family members) is in the Anglican Monumental Area "AAA, number 414" of Rookwood Necropolis, Strathfield, Sydney. This impressive monumental grave was completely refurbished in mid-2013 by the Office of Australian War Graves, whose duty includes maintaining in perpetuity the graves of all VC Heroes buried in Australia.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum, Stirling Castle, Scotland.

References

  1. 1 2 "Australian Dictionary of National Biography". Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  2. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 22212. p. 5514. 24 December 1858. Retrieved 19 September 2009.
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