A superb Boer War D.S.O., with Great War Bar group, Brigadier-General, 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons, given an entire page in O’Moore, Creagh and Humphris in “The Distinguished Service Order 1886-1923 for multiple distinguished acts and who was wounded during the Boer War as he rode alongside Jan Smuts himself though by then sadly disarmed. Commanded the Regiment from 1915-18, T/Command of the 7th Cavalry Brigade , July 1918, included the mounted cavalry action at the Amien breakthough, 8 August, 1918 (horse shot from under him). Commanded 6th Cavalry Brigade at the final major Cavalry action of the War, being the charge at Honnechy resulting in it’s capture. Four times MID for the Great war in addition

D.S.O (VR), complete with top riband bar and 2nd award bar, Q.S.A, 5 clasps C.C., O.F.S, Jo’burg, D Hill, Belf. (Capt. D.S.O., 6/Drgns.), 1914/15 Star, (Major D.S.O. 6/Dns.) B.W.M., Victory Medal, (Brig. Gen.), Coronation Medal 1902 (silver): unnamed as issued, Order of the Crown of Romania, Commander: Neck Badge, silver gilt & enamel.

Ewing Paterson Mentioned in despatches (LG 10 Sept. 1901) Created Distinguished Service Order L.G. 27/91901) The Insignia were presented by the King on 29 Oct. 1901. For various acts of gallantry (see below),

Bar to the D.S.O L.G of 22 June 1918 “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Owing to the neighbouring troops being driven back, his flank became exposed and a gap was made in the line. Though he had very few men, he at once extended his flank and maintained a most gallant and determined resistance for an hour against largely superior numbers, closing the gap at a most critical moment until other troops were able to advance and restore the line. His tactical handling of the brigade during successive withdrawals, often with one or both flanks exposed, was magnificent.”

Regarding his Boer War service O’Moore, Creagh and Humphris in “The Distinguished Service Order 1886-1923 devotes an entire page to Paterson together with extracts from. ‘With The Inniskilling Dragoons’  J. Watkins Yardley.

‘Posted to South Africa on the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War the Regiment was heavily involved in actions at Colesburg, south of the Orange River. Paterson, distinguished himself at on this occasion, being mentioned several times in With the Inniskilling Dragoons notably during an Boer flanking attack at Arundel on 20 February 1900, it states:

‘They nearly succeeded, however, in gaining a position commanding the camp, when Lieut. Paterson, with B Squadron Inniskilling Dragoons, who was luckily returning from a reconnaissance at the time, perceived their intention, With great promptitude he raced for the position, seized it first, and drove back with heavy loss the astonished Boers who were advancing up the far side. Three days later it was Paterson who, again at the head of a reconnaissance patrol, captured Rensburg itself. Finding the Boer rear-guard was weak he led his small force into an attack and seized the town. They again caught up with the Boer rear-guard whilst reconnoitring towards Norvalspont on 3 March, this time Paterson was leading a mixed force of fifty men, the encounter was a bloody one: ‘After proceeding twelve miles they fell in with the Boer rear-guard and a smart encounter ensured. Lieut. Paterson attacked boldly, inflicting considerable loss on the enemy, many of whom were seen to fall. The ponies of a Cape cart endeavouring to escape were shot, but the Boer coming on in great force affected the rescue of the occupants. It transpired later that one of these was an important officer of the Boer Artillery who was coming to select positions for their guns to retard our forces. On our occupation of Bloemfontein this same cart was found there riddled with bullet-holes and had been exhibited by the Boers as a curiosity. Lieut. Paterson’s own horse was shot as he was mounting, and several others were killed and wounded, but, having made a useful reconnaissance, he brought back his patrol without casualty, the dismounted men riding in on donkeys they had captured.’

During the fighting in March 1900 On 20 March – Yardley “B Squadron under Lieut. Paterson took part in General Clement’s march to Bloemfontein, General French boldly pushed into the Kalkheuval Pass late in the afternoon. During the fighting that ensued one of Colonel Yardley’s troops under Lieutenant Paterson “which was keeping communication between us and the 4th Brigade, found itself alone and guarding the left flank, which the 4th Brigade had abandoned. Lucky indeed that it pluckily stuck to those heights, despite being fired on by our own men, otherwise the whole division might have suffered an awful disaster.” At Roodehoogte “Lieut. Paterson, who was in advance on the left front did good service” … “Lieut. Paterson, with his troops galloped on to a big hill and climbed the precipitous sides just in time to forestall the enemy and drive them back giving us a commanding position….. “It was a fine piece of dash, and fairly surprised the Boers.”

In the fight at Tevreden, near Lake Chrissie, 16 October, 1900 “Lieutenant Paterson behaved with great dash, being slightly wounded as he galloped, unfortunately unarmed, alongside Commandant Smuts himself”. After describing the gallantry of the Inniskillings, and the heroic death of Lieutenant Swanston, Colonel Yardley states: “Lieutenant Swanston and our other dead were buried at sunset at the foot of the Tevreden Hills, close by which I lay wounded, with Lieutenants Paterson and Harris. The sadness of it I shall never forget, with no feeling of victory to cheer the heart — only regret”. And later: “Lieutenant Paterson, shot through the thigh at Tevreden, pluckily returned to duty; but this inflamed his wound, and he was invalided home in consequence”.

Ewing Paterson was the second son of John Paterson of Kingburn and Langraw, St. Andrews, in Fife. He was born on 8 June 1873 and was educated at St. Andrews and in Germany and joined the 3rd Militia Battalion Manchester Regiment as a Lieutenant in 1889. He transferred to the 6th Dragoons on 9 September 1893 being promoted Lieutenant on 1 January 1895. Captain 1901, Major 1905.

Paterson commanded the 6th Dragoons in France 1915-18. and with with great distinction during German March offensive particularly at the battle of St. Quentin 22-23rd March. Appointed to temporary command of 7th Cavalry Brigade on 16 July, 1918 comprising his own Innskillings, Royal Horse Guards, 7th Drag., Gds. and 17th Lancers . Commanding 6th Cavalry Brigade from 15 August, 1918 (Acting), and from  2 Sept. 1918 to the end of the War, in command, being mentioned in despatches four times. In addition, he was awarded the Commander of the Romanian Order of the Crown).

At the Battle of Amiens , 8 August, 1918 the Brigade played an active mounted cavalry part in the breakthrough From ‘British Cavalry on the Western Front 1916-1918’ Kenyon ‘Faced with the village of Cayeux on their left front near the Luce valley, then stretching for over a mile (2km) southwards along a crest the trees of Cayeux wood. To the right was a gap of about half a mile  to the woods and village of Beaucourt. Ewing Paterson, in command of the brigade described it as “… a most formidable looking position.” The Brigade advanced with the Inniskillings (6th Dragoons) on the right and 7th Dragoon Guards on the left with 17th Lancers in reserve. The Inniskillings were brought to a halt in a copse some distance short of Beaucourt wood, forcing the 7th Dragoon Guards to swing left (eastwards). The latter regiment was now faced with the length of Cayeux wood, and … without a moment’s hesitation gave the order to charge, and with one loud yell… were down the hill, across the open space, up the rise and into the copse,

Capitalising on this success, the 17th Lancers pushed through the wood on the left (north) of 7th D.G., but on emerging from the wood towards Caix, the next village to the east, they came under heavy fire. Paterson himself had his horse shot from under him. In a textbook response, the 17th threw a squadron north successfully outflanking the offending guns, and the advance continued, reaching the ‘Amiens Outer Defence Line’ and the Divisional first objective by 2.30pm. A number of further prisoners were captured along the way including several complete field hospitals, and more artillery Speed was of the essence, the German machine-gunners were unable to bring fire effectively on men charging towards them, and it was only in the last 60 yards that significant casualties were suffered, moreover “…once the men were on top of the enemy they put up no fight and appeared completely demoralised. He (Paterson) was warm in his praise for his supporting R.H.A. battery and the initiative of its commander, but his supporting tanks had simply been left behind by the rapidity of the advance. He summed up the moral effect of large numbers of British cavalry appearing in what had been the German rear areas “A German officer when asked why he and his men had surrendered, said ‘Look, Look.’ Pointing around the country, ‘and wherever you look you see British cavalry.’”

The cavalry charge at Honnechy, 9th October, 1918 ‘History of the 6th Cavalry Brigade 1914-18 ‘ Bickersteth

While making a personal reconnaissance about 11.30 a.m., General Paterson met the Brigade Major of the Infantry Brigade which had advanced East of Maretz and was now being held up by the enemy in and around Honnechy. The latter said that the infantry were exhausted and that in view of the strong forces opposed to them it was not intended to advance further that day. About noon a conference was held between Major-General Harman commanding the 3rd Cavalry Division, and the G.Os.C. 6th and Canadian Cavalry Brigades. It appeared that the Canadian Cavalry Brigade was held up and could not advance further, unless Honnechy and Reumont were captured. It was therefore decided that the 6th Cavalry Brigade should take these villages as soon as possible, and then seize the high ground West of Le Cateau. The Inniskilling Dragoons from the 7th Cavalry Brigade were placed at the disposal of General Paterson and orders were issued for the attack to take place at 2 p.m. The general idea of the operations was that the Royals should make a mounted attack on Honnechy and Maurois from the West and from the positions already held by that regiment. The 10th Hussars were to follow in support of the Royals and advance as the attack progressed. The 3rd Dragoon Guards were to advance from the North of Busigny and attack Honnechy from the South-west. The Inniskilling Dragoons were to follow in support of the 3rd Dragoon Guards and form a defensive flank facing Escaufourt and Bois Proyart. ” C ” Battery was to take up a position South-east of Maretz and fire on the South-western outskirts of Honnechy, while our troops were advancing. The 6th Machine Gun Squadron was to cover the advance of the Royals and 3rd Dragoon Guards and keep down the enemy’s fire from Honnechy. The attack of the Royals and 3rd Dragoon Guards began simultaneously.

As each unit advanced heavy H.E. and machine gun fire was opened on them. A large number of enemy aircraft also suddenly appeared and coming down to a low altitude followed the attacking troops with bombs and machine gun fire. The Royals almost at once came to a deep railway cutting which was not marked on the map and had to swing northwards, cross the railway further up and gallop round the northern edge of Maurois. They arrived at a farm on the Le Cateau road midway between Maurois and Reumont. Reumont was still held and enemy machine guns were firing straight down the road from the village at a range of,about 400 yards. Captain Browne’s Squadron, which was still leading, suffered some casualties in trying to cross. Colonel Wormald decided to get his regiment across the road slightly further back and then seize the high ground South-east of Reumont. This operation was carried out with signal success, and the Royals gained the ridge, forcing the enemy to retire out of Reumont. Meanwhile, the 3rd Dragoon Guards advanced from North of Busigny. Captain N. K. Worthington’s Squadron which was leading at once came under heavy enfilade fire from the direction of Escaufourt and Bois Proyart. The going was fairly good but the ground was cut up by numerous small ditches. There was one wide brook with a bad take-off, but not a single horse refused. Fortunately the ground was free of wire.

As each squadron came to the railway embankment it had to close in to pass under the bridge by which the railway crossed the road. It was here that most of the casualties occurred. The squadrons then opened out again and made the final gallop towards Honnechy (which was taken about 2.30 p.m.) afterwards occupying the orchards to the East of Honnechy. The orchards were soon heavily shelled, and Colonel Rome was wounded. This mounted attack by the Royals and 3rd Dragoon Guards was carried out with great dash and skill. The bursting H.E., the rattle of the machine gun fire both from the ground and from the air, the explosion of the bombs dropped from the aeroplanes — all contributed to make the noise absolutely deafening. As the two regiments advanced through the infantry the latter rose as one man and advanced with a great cheer, forgetting their former weariness and following in close support:.

This successful attack enabled the Canadian Cavalry Brigade on the North of the Le Cateau road to advance and capture several hundred prisoners, about seventy machine guns, and several guns and trench mortars. Enemy fire had now increased in volume, and Honnechy and all positions held by the Brigade were under continuous shelling. The Brigade suffered considerable casualties both in men and horses, especially the 3rd Dragoon Guards, who had also lost heavily during their advance. From the position gained considerable forces of the enemy, with a line of machine guns backed by several field guns, could be seen occupying the ridge which just hid Le Cateau from view. At this time the only troops in hand were one squadron of the 10th Hussars holding the Eastern edge of Honnechy, and half the Machine Gun Squadron who were with them. At 5 p.m. verbal orders were given to Colonel Wormald and Colonel Whitmore to push on as soon as possible. A few minutes later, however, orders were received from the 3rd Cavalry Division that the 7th Cavalry Brigade was to seize the final objective, the 6th Cavalry Brigade remaining in close support. The Inniskillings who had been ordered to push on towards Le Cateau were therefore diverted to the 7th Cavalry Brigade, less one squadron, which remained on the right flank.’

Paterson Commandant, Cavalry School, from 1920 to 1922 and retired in 1923.

A rare combination and a stunning group. A fine D.S.O. and a very good Bar to a Brigadier General at the sharp end of the action..