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Private Thomas John Patterson

 

The background of this North Irish Horseman is not known at present.

Thomas John Patterson enlisted in the North Irish Horse between 10 June and 6 July 1915 (No.1701 – later Corps of Hussars No.71509). He trained at the regiment's Antrim reserve camp before embarking for France sometime between 1916 and 1918, possibly with E Squadron on 11 January 1916.

In May 1916 E Squadron came together with A and D Squadrons to form the 1st North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to VII, XIX, then V Corps until February-March 1918, when the regiment was dismounted and converted to a cyclist unit. It then served as corps cyclists to V Corps until the end of the war.

Patterson remained with the regiment throughout the war. On 20 February 1919 he was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.

At some point, possibly in 1919, Patterson re-enlisted in the 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers). He was discharged on 23 March 1921 and awarded a pension, his level of disability assessed at 20 per cent.

Patterson lived at 26 Regent Street, Belfast, until late 1922 or 1923, when he emigrated to Canada.