Arthur Patterson Explained

Arthur Patterson
Birth Date:24 July 1917[1]
Death Date:27 May 1996 (aged 78)[2]
Birth Place:British India
Death Place:Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Allegiance: United Kingdom
Branch: British Army
Serviceyears:1938–1972
Rank:Major General
Commands:17th Gurkha Division
Battles:World War II
Malayan Emergency
Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation
Awards:Companion of the Order of the Bath
Distinguished Service Order
Officer of the Order of the British Empire
Military Cross

Major-General Arthur Gordon Patterson (24 July 1917 – 27 May 1996) was a British Army officer who commanded 17th Gurkha Division.

Military career

Patterson was born in British India, the son of Arthur Abbey Patterson of the Indian Civil Service, and educated at Tonbridge School, Kent.[3] He was commissioned into the British Indian Army in 1938. He served in World War II with the 6th Gurkha Rifles being awarded the Military Cross for his exploits in Burma in May 1945. In 1951 he was deployed to Malaya at the height of the Malayan Emergency for which he was appointed MBE. He was later given command of a battalion of his Regiment and appointed OBE for further service in Malaya. In 1964, as a temporary Brigadier during the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation, he took part in the response to the Brunei Revolt rounding up escaped rebel leaders in the swamps and jungles over a wide area of North Borneo for which he was awarded the DSO. He was appointed General Officer Commanding 17th Gurkha Division in December 1965 and Director of Military Training in June 1969 before retiring in 1972.[4]

He was given the Colonelcy of the 6th Queen Elizabeth's Own Gurkha Rifles from 1969 to 1974.[5]

Honours

Notes and References

  1. England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007
  2. UK, Burial and Cremation Index, 1576-2014
  3. Book: Debrett's Peerage, Baronetage, Knightage, and Companionage . 1973 . Kelly's Directories . 2900 . en.
  4. http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/Army%20Commands%201900-2011.pdf Army Commands
  5. Web site: 6th Queen Elizabeth's Own Gurkha Rifles. https://web.archive.org/web/20070101204744/http://regiments.org/regiments/southasia/gurkha/06GR.htm. dead. 1 January 2007. regiments.org. 9 January 2017.