Pte. Vincent Patterson, Lincolnshire Regiment.

Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps "Cape Colony", "Paardeberg" & "Johannesburg".
2355 Pte. V. Patterson, Lincolnshire Regiment.

Vincent Patterson was born in Clarborough, near Retford, Nottinghamshire, around the year 1870. He was the last of four sons born to William and Mary Patterson. In 1889, having completed an apprenticeship with Mr Bradshaw, Vincent was working as a moulder, probably in the Carr Foundry in Albert Road, Retford, where heating and rainwater pipes, fireplaces, stoves and general engineering castings were made.

At Lincoln on 10th June 1889, Vincent Patterson attested for the Lincolnshire Regiment, agreeing to serve for seven years with the Colours and five years in the Reserve. Vincent was already serving in the Militia, as a volunteer in the 3rd Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment. His Attestation Papers describe him as 18 years 11 months old, just over 5' 4" tall, with a fair complexion, grey eyes and light brown hair. His religion was given as Church of England and his one distinctive mark was the cicatrice of a wound on his left temple.

On 1st July, Vincent was posted to the 1st Battalion and embarked on a period of  home service, but on 12th November he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion for foreign service in India. His first Good Conduct Pay was awarded on 10th June 1891. Following two years in India, the 2nd Lincolns set sail for Singapore and service in the Strait Settlements. Vincent Patterson finally returned to England in March 1895 and his second Good Conduct Pay was awarded in June of the same year. On 9th June, Vincent was transferred to the Army Reserve and returned to civilian life. Less than three weeks later, on 26th June, he married Alice Maud Brown, who was seven years his junior, at St Michael & All Angels church at Woolwich. The couple set up house in Plumstead, London, where Alfred, their first son, was born soon after.

Following the outbreak of the South African War in 1899, Vincent Patterson was recalled for service with the 2nd Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment, which sailed for the Cape on 4th January 1900, arriving there about three weeks later. Vincent would serve almost two years in South Africa as a regimental drummer, earning his entitlement to the Queen's South Africa Medal pictured here. Vincent's second son, Walter Kimberley, was born on 15th March 1900 during his time abroad, which no doubt influenced the choice of the boy's second name. Vincent was discharged from the army on 26th November 1901, having been found medically unfit for further service. He was now 31 years 4 months old and had served 12 years 170 days. His conduct and character while with the Colours was described as "very good." His intended place of residence was given as 7 Whitworth Place, Plumstead.
By the time of the 1911 Census, the Patterson family had moved back to Retford and were living in a four room dwelling at 33 East Street. Vincent was working as a machine moulder in an iron foundry and three more sons had been born; Henry Edward (born 12th September 1902), Sidney Herbert (born 5th February 1908), and William (born 11th September 1910).

Soon after the outbreak of the Great War, Vincent Patterson attested for one year's service in the Special Reserve. Examined at Retford on 11th September 1914, his Papers describe him as 5' 6" tall, weighing 114lbs and with blue eyes. On 15th September, he was posted to the 8th Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment and on 5th May 1915 he was appointed Acting Corporal.

On 2nd November 1915, Vincent reported sick and was admitted to hospital at Killingholme. His condition worsened and on 5th November, he was transferred by ambulance to the Grimsby and District Hospital. Extremely ill on admission, he died two days later, the cause of death being given as acute lobar pneumonia. He was 45 years old. His Papers include a note describing how he was addicted to alcohol and had been discovered under the influence of drink, asleep outside in the open, a night or so before he was taken sick. Vincent is buried in East Retford Cemetery.

In May 1916, Vincent's widow, now living at 22 Abney Street, Sheffield, was awarded a pension of 23 shillings a week for herself and three children. Not having served abroad in the Great War, Vincent Patterson was not eligible for any WW1 campaign medals but his widow would have received a bronze Memorial Plaque and Scroll.