39405 Sergeant Alan Stuart Paterson, BEM, (19/4/1917-27/12/1944). "striking a glancing blow"

I can do no better in telling the story of Sergeant Alan Paterson than the invaluable Online Cenotaph, from which the photograph and text below are copied:

MOTOR CYCLIST KILLED

STRUCK BACK OF CAR 

LONG SERVICE WITH AIR FORCE 

(O.C.) OAMARU, Dec. 28. 

Head injuries suffered by Sergeant Alan Stuart Paterson, aged 26 years, through running into the back of a motor-car on the Main South road near Reidston, at 11 o’clock on Wednesday night, were of such a severe nature that his death must have been almost instantaneous. 

The fatality occurred about two miles from Maheno. Mr P. Greaney, a taxi-driver, had dropped two fares and was proceeding towards Maheno to pick up a passenger. He was travelling down the hill slowly, when Sergeant Paterson overtook him on a motor-cycle, the machine striking a glancing blow on the rear right-hand part of the car. The taxi stopped immediately, but the motor-cycle went on a further 90 yards before it crashed into a bank. Sergeant Paterson received a deep head injury, apparently through striking a door hinge of the car, and when Mr Greaney reached him he was dead. 

The inquest was opened yesterday before Mr A. W. Woodward, J.P. (coroner) and after evidence of identification had been given by the deceased’s father, it was adjourned sine die. Sergeant M. Conway appeared for the police.

Sergt. Paterson was a son of Mr R. N. Paterson, of “Oaklands,” Herbert, and grandson of Mr N. Paterson, of Dunedin. He was educated at the Otago Boys’ High School and at Nelson College, and enlisted in the permanent ground staff of the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1939 prior to the outbreak of the war. He had served in England, Scotland. North Africa, Sicily, Italy, India, Burma and Ceylon, and returned to New Zealand on furlough on October 31. While serving abroad, he was awarded the British Empire Medal and was mentioned in despatches. He was also the holder of the Africa Star (red rosette). He was married in Scotland about two years ago. his wife being a member of the clerical staff of the Royal Air Force.  -Otago Daily Times, 29/12/1944.

SERVICE LOSSES 

AIRMAN'S VARIED DUTIES 

EXPERIENCE WITH CHINDITS 

Reported killed in New Zealand, Sergeant Alan Stuart Paterson, husband of Mrs H. Paterson, of Scotland, was one of the New Zealanders to serve with the Chindits under General Wingate in the first airborne invasion of Burma. They operated in the strip now known as "Broadway," only 60 miles from the Chinese border and 180 miles behind the Japanese line.

The only son of Mr and Mrs R. N. Paterson, Sergeant Paterson was educated at the Otago Boys' High School and Nelson College and joined the Air Force in August, 1939. Leaving for Great Britain in January, 1941, he served with the R.A.F. in North Yorkshire and later in North Africa with the 1st Tactical R.A.F., where he was awarded the B.E.M. and also mentioned in despatches. Sergeant Paterson saw service in Malta, Sicily, India, Assam, Burma and before coming to New Zealand on furlough was serving in Ceylon.   -NZ Herald, 18/1/1945.

VICE-REGAL VISIT

GOVERNOR-GENERAL ARRIVES TO-DAY 

ROUND OF ENGAGEMENTS   (excerpt)

The Governor-General, Sir Bernard Freyberg, and Lady Freyberg will arrive at 5 o’clock this afternoon on their first official visit to Oamaru. 

At 12.45 p.m. Mr J. Paterson will call on the Governor-General in the vice-regal coach to receive the British Empire Medal (Military Division) awarded to his son, the late Sergeant Alan Stuart Paterson, R.N.Z.A.F.   -Otago Daily Times, 19/2/1948.

 

Oamaru Cemetery.