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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Arthur Burton Patterson

In memory of:

Private Arthur Burton Patterson

August 15, 1917

Military Service


Service Number:

183293

Age:

20

Force:

Army

Unit:

Canadian Infantry (British Columbia Regiment)

Division:

7th Bn.

Citation(s):

Military Medal, British War Medal and Victory Medal

Honours and Awards:

Military Medal

Additional Information


Born:

May 15, 1897
Hantsport, Nova Scotia

Enlistment:

November 3, 1915
Calgary, Alberta

Son of Mr. W. D. Patterson, of Calgary, Alberta.

Commemorated on Page 306 of the First World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information


Cemetery:

VIMY MEMORIAL
Pas de Calais, France

Grave Reference:

N/A

Location:

Canada's most impressive tribute overseas to those Canadians who fought and gave their lives in the First World War is the majestic and inspiring Vimy Memorial, which overlooks the Douai Plain from the highest point of Vimy Ridge, about eight kilometres northeast of Arras on the N17 towards Lens. The Memorial is signposted from this road to the left, just before you enter the village of Vimy from the south. The memorial itself is someway inside the memorial park, but again it is well signposted. At the base of the memorial, these words appear in French and in English:

TO THE VALOUR OF THEIR COUNTRYMEN IN THE GREAT WAR AND IN MEMORY OF THEIR SIXTY THOUSAND DEAD THIS MONUMENT IS RAISED BY THE PEOPLE OF CANADA


Inscribed on the ramparts of the Vimy Memorial are the names of over 11,000 Canadian soldiers who were posted as 'missing, presumed dead' in France. A plaque at the entrance to the memorial states that the land for the battlefield park, 91.18 hectares in extent, was 'the free gift in perpetuity of the French nation to the people of Canada'. Construction of the massive work began in 1925, and 11 years later, on July 26, 1936, the monument was unveiled by King Edward VIII. The park surrounding the Vimy Memorial was created by horticultural experts. Canadian trees and shrubs were planted in great masses to resemble the woods and forests of Canada. Wooded parklands surround the grassy slopes of the approaches around the Vimy Memorial. Trenches and tunnels have been restored and preserved and the visitor can picture the magnitude of the task that faced the Canadian Corps on that distant dawn when history was made. On April 3, 2003, the Government of Canada designated April 9th of each year as a national day of remembrance of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

Send us your images

  • Photo of Arthur Burton Patterson– The W. R. Brock Co. Ltd. Roll of Honour appeared in "Canada's Aid to the Allies" and "Peace Memorial" published by the Montreal Standard Printing Co. Ltd., Montreal.   This large glossy publication included numerous Rolls of Honour belonging to Canadian businesses and was published shortly after the war's end.  W. R. Brock Co. sold wholesale dry goods, smallwares, furnishings.  Offices were located in major cities throughout Canada.  Pte. Patterson's photo appeared on the full page Roll of Honour.  He was from the company's Calgary warehouse.
  • Honour Roll
  • Inscription– His name as it is inscribed on the Vimy Memorial (2010). Over 11,000 fallen Canadians having no known place of burial in France, are honoured on this Memorial. May they never be forgotten. (J. Stephens)
  • Vimy memorial– Canada's Vimy Memorial, located approximately 8 kilometres to the north-east of Arras, France. May the sacrifice of so many never be forgotten. (J. Stephens)
  • Newspaper Clipping– From the Calgary Herald. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me
  • Photo of Arthur Burton Patterson– Age:18 15May1916
  • Letter– Arrival in France postcard sent home 6 Sept 1916

Learn more about the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

To learn more please visit our help page. If you have questions or comments regarding the information contained in this registry, email or call us. For inquiries regarding the names and information found in the RCMP Honour Roll, please email the RCMP.

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