John Paton

Who was John Paton?

Major General John Gibson Paton CB, CMG was an Australian general who served in World War I. Paton was born in Newcastle, New South Wales and joined the New South Wales Military Forces in December 1887 as a second lieutenant in the 4th Infantry. Paton steadily rose through the ranks and at the outbreak of World War I was appointed to command the Newcastle Defended Port. His first action was as second in command of the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force under William Holmes. During the operation, Paton captured the German motor launch Komet which later became HMAS Una.

Paton joined the AIF on 16 March 1915 as a lieutenant colonel commanding the 25th Battalion, part of the 7th Infantry Brigade, which embarked for Egypt on 2 June 1915 where it trained until it embarked for Gallipoli on 28 August 1915. Paton took over the 7th Brigade on 15 October 1915 on direct orders from Major General Brandon Leon Pass. During the evacuation of Anzac, Paton was placed in command of the Rear Party, and at 0410 20 December 1915 Paton embarked on the last boat to leave Anzac.

Paton arrived in France on 19 March 1916 and commanded several brigades during his tour on the Western Front.