Perthshire Advertiser , 27th October 1915

“YOUNG AND POPULAR”

“Death of Lieutenant J. Ley Paton”

“Well-known Sportsman”

“We deeply regret to announce the death in France of a young and popular Perth officer, in the person of Second-Lieutenant J. Ley Paton, of the 1st Black Watch, eldest son of E. L. Paton R.A.M.C. (T) and of Mrs Paton of Atholl Crescent, Perth. The intimation of the passing of Lieutenant Paton has caused much regret in the city, but the feeling of sympathy for his parents and relatives is coupled with the knowledge that he has sacrificed his life in a great and just cause."

"Second-Lieutenant Paton was but 22 years of age. He was a native of the city, the worthy son of a worthy sire, who is doing his own work as a medical officer of the Perth War Hospital. Educated at Perth Academy, the young Ley early showed promise of developing the skills of his father. Always keen at his lessons, and a prominent prize-winner, and in 1909 achieving the coveted distinction of annexing the dux medal of his school. With his schoolmates he was popular and his death is regarded by the pupils and staff as a personal loss."

“Relinquishing school life he proceeded to St. Andrews University, where he fulfilled his promise as a brilliant student. He entered university with the intention of following in his father’s footsteps, and he was in his last year at College when the war clouds burst. Distinction came his way while at the University and with his fellow students he was always on the best of terms."

“On the outbreak of war he enlisted in the St. Andrews University Officers’ Training Corps and obtained a commission in the third line reserve attached to the 1st Battalion Black Watch. Early in May he proceeded to France, and in August he was allowed a furlough, and while in the city it was a general comment that he was a grand example of a young British officer. On returning to France, Second-Lieutenant Paton was attached to the Black Watch. He fell a week ago with his comrades, being struck down in front of German trenches of barbed wire."

"The deceased will always be remembered as a sportsman out and out. In all branches of competition he was an earnest and good exponent, particularly interested in cricket, rugby, golf and angling. For two seasons he played in the ‘Varsity’ cricket side at St. Andrews and during the vacation his services were taken advantage of by the Perthshire C.C."

“Death has robbed the city of a young man it could ill afford to lose, and the army is bereft of an officer whose memory will be cherished.” 

James Ley Paton lost his life in the same action as Alexander Fraser, and is mentioned in the extract from Wauchope’s History of the Black Watch in the Great War, which appears on Alexander Fraser’s page of the school Roll of Honour.

James Ley Paton is also commemorated on the St. Andrew’s Parish Church War Memorial; the University College Dundee War Memorial (St Andrew's University); and with a memorial window in St. John’s Kirk, Perth.