George Henry Tatham Paton

George Henry Tatham Paton
Born	3 October 1895 Innellan, Argyllshire
Died	1 December 1917 (aged 22) Gonnelieu, France
Buried	Metz-en-Couture Communal Cemetery, British Extension
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service / branch	British Army
Years of service	September 1914 - December 1917 †
Rank	Captain
Unit	17th London Regiment Grenadier Guards
Battles / wars	World War I
Awards	Victoria Cross Military Cross

George Henry Tatham Paton VC MC (3 October 1895 – 1 December 1917) 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. Paton was the first Grenadier Guards officer to win the VC since the Crimean War.

He was born to George William Paton who was Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Messrs Bryant and May Ltd and was educated at Rottingdean School and Clifton College Bristol

Paton was 22 years old, and an acting captain in the 4th Battalion, Grenadier Guards, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 1 December 1917 at Gonnelieu, France, when a unit on Captain Paton's left was driven back, thus leaving his flank in the air and his company practically surrounded, he walked up and down adjusting the line, within 50 yards of the enemy, under a withering fire. He personally removed several wounded men and was the last to leave the village. Later he again adjusted the line and when the enemy counter-attacked four times, each time sprang on to the parapet, deliberately risking his life, in order to stimulate his men. He was eventually mortally wounded.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Guards Regimental Headquarters (Grenadier Guards RHQ) at Wellington Barracks, London.

References

• Buzzell, Nora (1997). The Register of the Victoria Cross.
• Harvey, David (1999). Monuments to Courage.
• Ross, Graham (1995). Scotland's Forgotten Valour.