John Paton (general)
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (December 2019) |
John Paton | |
|---|---|
First World War
| |
| Awards | Mentioned in Despatches (3) (Russia)Order of Saint Stanislaus, 2nd Class |
| Other work | Vice President of the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce |
Early life and merchant career
Paton was born in Newcastle, New South Wales and joined the New South Wales Military Forces in December 1887 as a second lieutenant in the 4th Infantry. Paton steadily rose through the ranks and at the outbreak of the First World War was appointed to command the Newcastle Defended Port. His first action was as second in command of the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force under William Holmes. During the operation, Paton captured the German motor launch Komet which later became HMAS Una.
First World War
Paton joined the
Paton arrived in France on 19 March 1916 and commanded several brigades during his tour on the Western Front. On 5 November, while directing an attack on a trench known as "The Maze", Paton was wounded by a German sniper and evacuated to England. On 24 August 1918 following frustration at being passed over for divisional command multiple times, Paton elected to retire and returned to Australia.
Post-war career and retirement
Following the war Paton returned to business as manager of R. Hall & Son, and was vice president of the Newcastle
See also
- List of Australian generals
References
- ^ Andrews, E. M., "Paton, John (1867–1943)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 26 May 2022
- Ross Mallett, John Paton, General Officers of the First AIF, adfa.edu.au
- E. M. Andrews, 'Paton, John (1867–1943)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 11, Melbourne University Press, 1988, pp 161–162.
