Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

James Hay Paterson was born on 2 October 1884 at Winchester, South Canterbury, New Zealand, the second son of James and Janet Steele Dunlop (Jessie, née Hay) Paterson. James and Janet (both born in New Zealand of very early settlers) married in 1881 in New Zealand. James died on 7 April 1908 at Winchester. Along with his sister and two brothers, James was educated at Winchester School, where his father was a member of the school committee.

James H. Paterson, a farmer residing at the family home, Kurunui, Winchester, enlisted on 17 April 1915 at Trentham. He had previously served with the High School Cadets, Timaru. Single and Presbyterian, he named his older brother as next-of-kin – John Paterson, Winchester. Driver J. H. Paterson embarked with the New Zealand Field Artillery of the 5th Reinforcements, departing for Suez, Egypt in mid-June 1915. The Fifth Reinforcements - “a body of well-nigh perfectly trained fighting men” - were inspected at Trentham on 9 June and made their only public appearance on 12 June. Taken on Strength at Zabarich on 28 August 1915, he was in camp at Moascar on 18 January 1916 and embarked for France on 6 April 1916.

After nearly four years overseas, James Paterson returned home per the “Hororata” (R.D. No. 221), embarking at London on 1 February 1919 and arriving on 15 March. He was discharged on 13 April 1919 on the termination of his period of engagement, and awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. James H. Paterson, Winchester, was there when a social was held in mid-July 1920 in the Victoria Hall, Winchester, as a welcome home to the Returned Soldiers and presentation of medals to those who had left Winchester to take part in the Great War. “During an interval Mr J. C South said they had met together to present the Returned Soldiers with medals. The presentation had been lingering on for a long time, but they had met together that night to show their appreciation of the work that the soldiers had done for them. He spoke feelingly of the parents who had lost their boys at the front, and he then called on Mr C. A. Opie, to make the presentation. Mr Opie said he had much pleasure in making the presentation of medals that evening. Soldiers had done splendid work during the war, and now they had settled down again, he hoped they would prove good citizens. He asked them all to come forward as their names were called out, and receive their medals. The medals were pinned on by Myra Opie and Gladys South, every recipient being loudly applauded. Mr T. Gunnion, Mayor of Temuka, said he had much pleasure in congratulating the residents of the district on rolling up so well to welcome the returned soldiers that evening. The boys fully deserved all honour that could be paid to them, and he hoped that they would live long to wear their medals.”

He settled back into farming at Winchester. By 1935 James, and his brother John Andrew and wife had joined the widow of their brother Douglas at Titirangi, Pelorus Sound. James Hay Paterson died at Wairau Hospital, Blenheim, of Titirangi on 8 July 1955, aged 70 years, and was buried in the Omaka Cemetery, a services plaque marking his grave. He died intestate, his brother John Andrew Paterson applying to administer his estate. His sister Henrietta Barbara Paterson, brother John Andrew Paterson, and nephews Andrew Halbertson Paterson and William Henry Paterson (sons of the deceased Douglas Halbertson Paterson) were his only surviving family, the children of John being not mentioned.

Douglas Halbertson Paterson, a brother of James, also served in World War One; John Andrew Hay, the oldest brother, who had been called up in 1917, appealed, saying that he owned 122 acres, his only two brothers were on active service, and his mother and sister were entirely dependent on him. His appeal was adjourned. Harold Stuart Pearpoint, who was born to Adelaide Paterson and Robert Henry Pearpoint, and was a cousin of John, James and Douglas Paterson, was killed in action in France on 1 October 1916. Another cousin, Hugh Halbertson MacKay, also served in World War One, while Hugh’s brother, John Paterson MacKay, was called up and appealed. Marion Halbertson Inwood, another cousin, may well have served with the New Zealand Voluntary Aid Detachment in World War One. William Harold Hay who was killed in action at Gallipoli on 15 May 1915 was a second cousin of Janet Steele Dunlop Paterson (née Hay), the mother of James Hay Paterson (beneficiary of Harold’s estate) and Douglas Halbertson Paterson.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [19 May 2025]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [19 May 2025]; School Admission indexes (South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [19 May 2025]; Temuka Leader, 15 July 1920, Press, 11 July 1955 (Papers Past) [13 December 2018; 19 & 21 May 2025]; Omaka Cemetery headstone image (Find A Grave) [19 May 2025]; Omaka Cemetery burial record (Marlborough District Council) [20 May 2025]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

No documents available. 

Researched and Written by

Saray Sedeno; Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

Not assigned.