Soldier led Vimy charge

First posted: | Updated:

Pte. John Pattison earned the Victoria Cross for his valour.
Pte. John Pattison earned the Victoria Cross for his valour.

John George Pattison immigrated to Canada in 1906 and settled in Calgary where he married his wife Sophia.

He worked for the Calgary Gas Company before he joined the army on March 6, 1916.

Pattison joined the 137th Battalion after he learned his 16 year old son had joined up.

It was his hope that he would be able to protect his son. He arranged for his son, who was in the 82nd Battalion, to be transferred to the 137th.

Upon arrival in England, the two were transferred to the 9th Reserve Regiment to await reassignment in France.

On Feb. 2, 1917, Pattison was assigned to the 50th Battalion which was preparing for the battle at Vimy Ridge.

During the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the 50th Battalion advanced on the west side of Hill 145 and while moving up the ridge encountered fierce opposition from the German defenders.

Pattison decided to take matters into his own hands in order for the 50th Canadian Infantry Battalion to be able to continue its assault.

His actions are best described in the citation which went with his awarding of the nations highest honour for valour, the Victoria Cross.

An extract from the London Gazette, dated July 31, 1917, records the following:

For most conspicuous bravery in attack. When the advance of our troops was held up by an enemy machine gun, which was inflicting severe casualties, Pte. Pattison, with utter disregard of his own safety, sprang forward and, jumping from shell-hole to shell-hole, reached cover within thirty yards of the enemy gun.

From this point, in face of heavy fire, he hurled bombs, killing and wounding some of the crew, then rushed forward overcoming and bayoneting the surviving five gunners.

His valour and initiative undoubtedly saved the situation and made possible the further advance to the objective.

Pte. Pattison never received his Victoria Cross.

He was killed two months later during an assault on a power station near Lens, France.

He is buried in the La Chaudiere Military Cemetery, France, approximately 3 km south of Lens on the north-western outskirts of Vimy

Pte. Pattison lived at 1622 1st Ave. N.W. in the Westmount part of Calgary before joining the Army and eventually being assigned to the 50th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, the forerunner of today's King's Own Calgary Regiment (RCAC).

Pte. Pattison is truly one of Calgary's heroes.

As a tribute to John George Pattison a bridge across the Elbow River was named in his honour as well as a mountain in Jasper National Park Alberta.

Visit for information on how you can help ensure that Private Pattison is honoured on a new memorial in Calgary.

-- Courtesy King's Own Calgary Regiment Museum

Sponsored Links