Archie Leslie (Sam) Patterson

  General Notes:

Leslie Archie Patterson elisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 18/4/1916. His next of kin was his mother Mrs. Jane Patterson, Orson Street, Hay, N.S.W.
The Certificate of Medical Examination describes Leslie as: - 22 years and 9 months, height - 5 feet 5 and a quarter inches, weight - 126 pounds, chest measurement - 32/34 and a half inches, complexion - dark, eyes - hazel, hair - black and religious denomination - Presbyterian. His distinctive marks were: - scar on upper lip left side and scar on front left leg upper third.
Leslie served in Eygypt. He was admitted to hospital on 12.3.1917 for two days after being kicked by a horse.
He was promotted to Corporal on 1/8/1917 and to Sergeant. on 22/2/1918. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal on 17/2/1919.
Leslie embarked on the H.T. “Morvada” for Australia on 20/7/1919. He received the Star, British War and Victory medals.
Base Records Office, A.I.F.,
6th January, 1920.
Dear Madam,
I have much pleasure in forwarding hereunder copy of extract from the Second Supplement No. 31534 to the London Gazette, dated 3rd September, 1919, relating to the conspicuous services rendered by your son, No. 12495, Staff Sergeant L. A. Patterson, D.C.M., late of the Australian Imperial Force.
AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL.
With the reference to the announcement of the above award, which appeared in the London Gazette of the 1st January, 1919, the following is the act of gallantry for which the award was made: -
No. 12495 Staff-Sergeant L. A. PATTERSON, DCM.

For coolness, gallantry, and devotion to duty under fire. While supplies were being issued to his brigade on the 2nd May, near Madi Ratem, daylight appeared, and the enemy opened up with heavy artillery fire. Although pieces of shell were falling in the supply area, he set a fine example to the men and natives of the camel convoy, and showed great coolness in directing camels to low ground out of sight of the enemy.

The above has been promulgated in Commonwealth of Australian Gazette, No. 135, dated 11th December, 1919.
Yours faithfully,

Captain,
for Officer i/c Base Records.
Mrs. J. Patterson,
Karori,
Orson Street,
Hay, NEW SOUTH WALES.

  Noted events in his life were:

• Occupation: Clerk.

• Birth Certificate: (6718/1893).

• Death Certificate Number: (22966/1937).

Archie married Mara Alicia Gowthorp, daughter of William Gowthorp and Mary A., in 1923 in Sydney, NSW Australia. (Mara Alicia Gowthorp was born in 1902 in Waverley, Sydney, NSW Australia, died on 19 Dec 1985 in NSW Australia and was buried on 23 Dec 1985 in NSW Australia.)

  Noted events in their marriage were:

• Certificate: (581/1923).