Lieutenant-Colonel George PATTERSON

Few of those who saw Gympie’s old and respected citizen, Lieut. Col. Geo. Patterson, at the Coronation celebrations in the One Mile sports ground on Thursday, and noted his military bearing, thought that his end was so near, that before another sun rose he would have crossed the bar. Yet such is the lottery of life. For some time Lieut. Col. Patterson hod been in poor health, but Ihe seemed better of late, and decided to take part with the other military officers in Thursday’s proceedings. He drove to the ground, but otherwise took up the same duties as his fellow officers, and after the military ceremonies were over, remained for some time chatting with military comrades of the past and exchanging reminiscences. He joined’ a little Party which assembled to congratulate Sergt. Major Chapman on his receipt of the long service medal, presented to him that day. Returning home to lunch, Lieut. Col. Patterson appeared none the worse for his exertion, and was quite bright during the afternoon. He retired to rest as usual, and it was not till 4 o’clock on the following morning that grave symptoms were manifest, Mrs. Patterson being awakened by her husband’s groans. It was at once apparent that the heart trouble, from which Lieut. Col. Patterson suffered, had assumed a serious turn, and Mrs. Patterson immediately sent for medical assistance. But although Dr. Morris arrived, in less than a quarter of an hour, Lieut. Col. Patterson had passed away.

A native of Ireland, George Patterson was born in County Fermanagh, in 1836, and commenced his business career in the historic town of Enniskillen, afterwards being engaged for several years with the firm of Todd, Burns and Co., in the city of Dublin. Seeking wider fields, Mr. Patterson came to Victoria in 1863 with his brother Charles, and thence to N.S. Wales, where for a couple of years he managed a store on the Burrangong goldfield, now the town of Young. The prosperity of Bendigo drew Mr. Patterson to that centre in 1865 and for three years he carried on business there. The news of rich goldfields at Gympie induced him to join the rush and he arrived on this goldfield in July, 1868, and from whence onward he has always been associated with this city. Mr. Patterson was so pleased with the appearance of the country and satisfied that a permanent goldfield had been located, that he decided to commence business. The allotment of land, upon which now stand the extensive premises of Messrs. Patterson Bros., was purchased arid a shop erected. In 1879 he was joined actively in the conduct of the increasing business by his brother, Mr. Chas. Patterson, who till then had been a sleeping partner and had been for many years on the goldfields of the west coast of New Zealand, Mr. Geo. Patterson continued to be actively associated with the business till towards the end of 1901, when he retired from the partnership, leaving Mr. Chas. Patterson as sole ‘proprietor’ of the business which was continued under the old firm name.

For the last 25 years the deceased was perhaps best known in connection with military affairs. At the time of the Russian scare in 1885, Mr. Patterson was one of those who volunteered for service and he was appointed Captain, commanding a corps of mounted infantry which, had been formed by him, and was known as the Wide Bay Mounted Infantry up to the time of the Commonwealth taking over the military forces, but now officially called the 3rd Squadron of 13th A.L.H. The corps became one of the most distinguished in the service. Though a stern disciplinarian, Capt. Patterson possessed the best attributes of a soldier, and was ever watchful of the health and comfort of those under his command. He rose to the rank of Major in 1890 and five years later was promoted to Lieut. Colonel. During the labour troubles in 1891, when the Government called upon the Defence Force for assistance, Major Patterson volunteered for service and was followed by his corps, which was ordered to Barcaldine, where a military camp was formed composed of a mixed force of about 600 men under his command. For four months he remained in camp. For their services the troops received the thanks of both Houses of Parliament, and Major Patterson was one of the officers specially mentioned for gallantry of conduct and service to the country. Owing to an accident through being thrown from his horse, in 1897, Lieut. Col. Patterson was reluctantly compelled to retire from the military service, in which he had gained much distinction. In the same year he visited England and was present at Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations on 22^nd June, 1897, when he was proud to recognise a detachment of his old corps In the Queen’s escort. On his return to. Gympie, the W.B.M.I. marked their appreciation of his long and valuable services as their Commanding Officer by presenting him with a sword of honour, which bore the following inscription : “Presented to Lieut. Col. George Patterson on the occasion of his retiring from active service by the members of his old corps; the Wide Bay Mounted Infantry, as a token of their affection and esteem.” The outbreak of the Boer war stirred Lieut. Col. Patterson’s martial spirit, and he proceeded to South Africa in 1899, being then on the retired list. However, he received special permission to accompany General French and Field-Marshal Lord Roberts, and witnessed many engagements in which the troops took part; being present from the siege of Kimberley to the entrance of Lord Roberts into Bloemfontein, when like many others he thought the war was over and returned homo.- Lieut. Col. Patterson had the honour of being the first soldier to enter Kimberley after the siege was raised, and was also present at the battle of Paardeburg and capture of General Cronje and his army on 27th February, 1900. He was away the best part of a year, and on his return to Gympie from South Africa was accorded a public reception. Subsequently he visited England and was presented to King Edward.

We have referred at some length to his military experiences, but all movements for the advancement of the district could always count on his interest and financial support. He took a prominent part in the successful agitation for the construction of the railway from Brisbane to Gympie, and among other offices filled the position of alderman of the Gympie Municipal Council, Vice-President of the G.A.M. & P. Society, Returning Officer for the Gympie electorate, Justice of the Peace, and member of the Licensing Bench. The Hospital had a soft place in his heart ; he contributed liberally to the original building fund, and provided the last Christmas dinner for the inmates and staff.

Lieut. Col. Patterson had not been in robust health for the last few years. Accustomed to spend the summer in Tasmania and the Southern States with his devoted wife, he was last year unable to take his departure at the usual time owing to weak health due to heart trouble. After a month’s delay he proceeded south with strict instructions from his medical attendant to look after his health. The call of the jumping trout, his keen love of sport could not pass unheeded, with the result that two days fishing overtaxed his strength very seriously and he was compelled to lay up. On his return to Gympie about six weeks ago, his health was poor, and it was a week or two before he was able to get into Mary Street, but his condition improved up to the time of his sudden collapse, as stated.

The funeral this afternoon, as befits a veteran military officer, will be of a military character. Telegrams have been received conveying deepest sympathy from the Headquarters Staff of the Commonwealth military forces, Brisbane, from Col. R. Spencer Brown and the Staff of the Fifth Light Horse Brigade, and from the President and members of the United Service Association, all sending wreaths.