Private Hugh Patterson
Hugh Patterson was born on 11 June 1893 at Lurgana, Whitecross, County Armagh, the last of at least eight children of farmer (previously tea dealer) Hugh Patterson and his wife Alice (née Bennett). By the time of the 1911 Census he was living at Lurgana with his parents and working on the family farm.
Patterson enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Newry on 22 December 1913 (No.885). It is probable that he was related to North Irish Horsemen William John Patterson of nearby Drumnahoney, who enlisted on the same day, and Robert James Patterson of Lurgana, who had enlisted four months earlier.
Mobilised on the outbreak of war, on 14 September 1914 he was discharged, being not physically fit for military service (paragraph 281 xi, Mobilisation Regulations). His military character was recorded as 'very good'.
After his discharge Patterson returned to farming at Lurgana. He died there on 7 September 1956 and was buried in the Kingsmills Presbyterian Churchyard.