Robert Paterson was born in 1894. He was educated at Scone Public School, Perth Academy and Edinburgh University, where he was a Student of Arts from 1912-1916.

He enlisted with the Royal Scots as a Private (Reg. No. 3003) in March 1916 and transferred to the King’s Own Scottish Borderers (Reg. No. 44227) and was commissioned Second Lieutenant.

Robert Paterson joined the 2nd Battalion The Sherwood Foresters on 24th February 1917 at Beuvry being wounded by aerial darts on 4th March 1917, but remaining on duty. He was mentioned in despatches in December 1917, during the Battle of Cambrai.

The 2nd Battalion the Sherwood Foresters were part of the 71st Brigade, 6th Division. In March 1917 the division went to the Loos sector where it conducted operations and trench raids around Hill 70. It was withdrawn on 25th July, shortly before the final assault on the hill. From reserve, it then went to take part in the Battle of Cambrai as part of III Corps.

The Division was then withdrawn to rest at Basseux. By February 1918 the division was manning the Lagincourt Sector and was there on 21st March when the Germans launched their Spring Offensive, which drove the division back and caused 3,900 casualties out of it’s 5,000 infantry. On 25th March the division was withdrawn to the Ypres Salient again as part of the Second Army.

Robert Paterson was officially reported killed in action between 21st and 23rd March 1918. He was 24 years of age.

Perthshire Advertiser, 6th April 1918

“OUR OWN MEN - PERTH CITY"

“Second Lieutenant R. W. Paterson, Sherwood Fusiliers (sic) (missing since 22nd March), youngest son of Mr and Mrs Thomas Paterson, 29 Balhousie Street. When war broke out he was going through his arts at Edinburgh University, his previous training having been received in Scone Public School and Perth Academy. He joined as a private in the Royal Scots and was mentioned in dispatches in December last.”

The People’s Journal, 23rd December 1918

“PERTHSHIRE HEROES’ ROLL - PERTH" 

“Sec. Lieut. R. W. Paterson, M.C., Sherwood Foresters, son of Mr and Mrs Thomas Paterson, 29 Balhousie Street., previously reported missing in March, is now presumed to have been killed in action on or about that date. He was 24 years of age, and was educated at Perth Academy and Edinburgh University.”

Robert Paterson is also commemorated on the Edinburgh University War Memorial.