Notes |
- Military Service: 2nd Lieutenant, South African Infantry
bur. St Sever Cemetery, Rouen, Sein-Maritime, France
Grave Ref. Officers, B. 2. 14
South African War Graves http://www.southafricawargraves.org/search/details.php?id=19780 - Died of wounds. Age 22. Son of the Rev J and Mrs Pattison, Rector of Southwell, Grahamstown, Cape Province. Educated at St Andrew's College, Grahamstown. His brother also died in service.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/172020/pattison,-charles-joseph/
Delville Wood Roll Call http://www.delvillewood.com/rolcallp.htm
Death/Probate Notice https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9BT-Y3YS-G
Imperial Service Contingents https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9BT-Y3YQ-B
World War 1 Forum https://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=nl&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.forumeerstewereldoorlog.nl%2Fviewtopic.php%3Ft%3D15490 - Both were sons of Rev. J. Pattinson, Rector of Southwell, Grahamstown, Cape Province, South Africa.
'Joey' had worked for the National Bank in Mafeking and was part of the '9th Bechuanaland Dismounted Rifles'. His younger brother, Victor Reginald, was incorporated into the 'Southern Rifles'. Both had served under Colonel Berrange in South West Africa. After demobilization, they were reintroduced, now in the first regiment of the South African infantry brigade, Company B.
In the morning of July 14, 1916, Joey Patisson wrote: "We left support at the back of Montauban as well as support to the Seaforth and Black Watch, who had commenced an attack on the Huns in front of Longueval."
It was the start of the hell of Delville Wood and Joey did not know then that the next days would draw his entire life.
It is interesting to read all of Joey's diary notes, but this would lead me too far here.
I limit myself to the tragic events:
On 16 July, Lukin was ordered to attack the northwest side of the forest to block the northern access to the village of Longueval.
The first regiment, A and B company, left their trenches and walked ahead under a hail of machine gun. The boys were just mown down and Captain Miller was "one of the first victims.
Joey had his doubts about the action and was worried about his brother. He remembered how Boysie Nash had been killed in the action to take the same German reinforcement. He is writing :
When the order came to take the' redoubt 'with the remaining men, we looked at each other for a moment, but Lieutenant Arthur Craig said:' Get ready we attacked in 10 minutes'. As soon as we had finished, the platoon arrived that would take over our trench while we finished the job. "
'Then I saw how Lieutenant Craig pulled his revolver, swept it over his head and called' Come on, boys' and that's how we went 'over the top'.
Well, the next few minutes, hell broke loose. I was thrown down two or three times by exploding projectiles next to and in front of me. I could see dozens of arms above the German parapet throwing grenades.
'Then I saw the few boys who were still unharmed withdrawing and I joined them. I was one of 10 lucky ones who were not injured Two of us, Faulds and Estment, carried our lieutenant Craig who was injured at 6 places.
I immediately asked my brother, who, despite a shrapnel wound in his leg, was with Section 1 on the right. I found out that my brother was left on the edge of the German parapet with a bullet in his head.
Later he wrote a letter to his parents: "
On the morning of that day, the 16th, I took him his rations, and he could not have been in better spirits considering that we had been fighting for 12 days. ' "Well, about midday we got the order that a bombing trench hero by the enemy had to be taken care of, so we assembled and went over the top. I with no 4 section on the left, and Vic with no 1 section on the right. We found that trench so strongly hero that we had to retreat. When I asked Vic and his chum told me that he and Vic had in charge with the rest got right up to the enemy, where they found so hot that they got into a shell hole, and started throwing their bombs into the trench ahead. Basil Wallace says he looked around and found he and Vic were about the last left, so he called: "Come on Vic and got no answer.
Victor had answered that greater call, mother, and could not speak to us no more. Basil bravely ascertained that Vic was gone before he bolted back for his life.
We made it impossible for them to get their bodies, but it was impossible, so with the other lads on the German parapet. All the fellows are full of praise at the pluck Vic showed, and I am absolutely sick about it, it comforts me to think he died like a hero. Do not fret about me, I've had wonderful escapes, was once buried by shell, but I am quite unharmed '
What should it mean for the mother to receive such a letter. The last sentence of Joey is amazing. It is not exactly reassuring for the mother to hear that he was almost buried alive. How big will the fear have been that she would also lose Joey.
On July 18th, Joey is sick of the sick. They got the message that they would be relieved by a new division, but first had to attack a reinforcement where Boysie Nash had been killed a few days earlier. Joey notes that no one would give such an order if they saw how many men were left to take that action."
After that attack, B compagny must be redeemed due to lack of personnel. Of the 250 men, 50 fatigued soldiers remained. All officers were dead, except tween 'sublieutenants'
They will eventually be repaid on the 19th of July. Joey says: "We received the order that all South Africans had to leave the line of fire and had to withdraw to our starting position of July 14, now far behind the front line. Grenades still fell when we stumbled out of the forest in groups of two or three. I looked back to the forest for a moment, where all my mates and my own brother lay. I was so weak that I wept and Basil Wallace and I took each other's arms and helped each other get away from that hell. "
When the rest of the South African brigade held a parade for Brig-Gen on July 22nd. Lukin, stood there with her naked head and began to weep. Of the 3155 soldiers and officers who entered the forest, 2407 were victims, of whom 770 were killed. Lukin said, "You know, I know the fathers and the mothers of those boys. For me they are not cannon fodder. I feel responsible to those parents. "
Joey Patisson became officer (second lieutenant) and joined the first regiment. On October 16, he writes to his parents: "Well we are back again in the midst of roaring guns. Away on our right is Delville Wood where Vic and so many boys lie. We can see the charred sticks and stumps of Montauban and Trones. We are moving in the thick of it again. However, I have always put my trust in my Maker, and if he will, I will come back, and I will be with Vic; Love to all, Au revoir! Your affectionate son.
Days later, he is mortally wounded at Butte de Warlencourt. Heavy injuries on both legs, left arm and right eye. His wounds become infected because he was in no man's land for several days before he could be taken away. He lands on 24 October in Rouen General Hospital no. 8 where Padre Hill was also a patient. Padre Hill had always assisted boys in the middle of the fight at Delville Wood. He wrote that Patisson made the nurses laugh with his infectious humor.
He died the same day during an operation.
He is buried in St Sever Cem. in Rouen, B 2, 14. He was 22.
In Memory of
Second Lieutenant CHARLES JOSEPH PATTISON
1st Regt., South African Infantry
who died age 22
on 24 October 1916
Son of the Rev. J. Pattinson, Rector of Southwell, Grahamstown, Cape Province, South Africa.
Remembered with honor
ST. SEVER CEMETERY, ROUEN
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