CEFRG presents the story of Private Harold McLennan Paton, No. 1 Canadian Field, Ambulance, C.A.M.C. Harold McLennan Paton was a Stretcher Bearer with Canada’s First Contingent in the Great War. Harold served for over 29 months before he was wounded at the Battle of Hill 70.
Early life
Private Harold McLennan Paton 34648 was born 29 December 1892 in Cathcart, Glasgow, Scotland. He was a Machinist by trade. Harold had trouble with his right knee, in 1907, when it was drained. He had explained it was the reason for him becoming a machinist when he enlisted.
Harold’s mother, Mrs. H. McLennan, resided at 140 McCauley St., East Hamliton, Ont. Harold was Presbyterian. Harold stood 5′ 5″ tall, 140 pounds, with dark complexion, brown eyes, and brown hair. He had previous military service with 124 Ambulance, Hamilton.
Stretcher Bearer
Private Paton enlisted with No. 2 Canadian General Hospital, C.A.M.C. on 9 September 1914 at Valcartier, Quebec. Harold will serve over 29 months in Belgium and France with No. 1 Canadian Field Ambulance, C.A.M.C., as a Stretcher Bearer under command of Lt.-Col. A.E. Ross. Sailed on SS MEGANTIC, 30 September 1914. While stationed in England, Harold married Eva Clegg, of 40 Cheetham St., Lancashire, England. She later moved to 70 Ashton Road, West Failsworth, Manchester, and after the war to Canada, ahead of her husband.
Harold arrived in France serving with No. 1 Canadian Field Ambulance on 11 February 1915. Harold admitted to hospital the following week, to No. 1 Canadian General Hospital, 18 February 1915, tonsillitis, and discharged 23 February 1915.
Service Record
Harold’s service record interrupted only three times in 29 months. He had symptoms in his right knee during 1916 and had it drained at Le Treport. Harold developed a mild case of “NYD” the week before he was seriously wounded
On 22 June 1916, Harold had some time for fun at the Canadian Corps Field Sports Competition, held at Dominion Lines of the 8th Canadian Infantry Battalion, west of Ypres. Official Canadian War Photographer Captain H.E. Knobel captured these photos. Harold is likely among the crowd.
There is no mention of any gallantry in Harold’s record. This has been the case not because acts of courage or gallantry, or instances of devotion to duty have been few. For they had been matters of daily occurrence. Without exception, men like Harold “carried on” under conditions which constantly demanded true soldierly qualities.
Battle of Hill 70
During the Battle of Hill 70 on 15 August 1917, Harold Paton, Stretcher Bearer, performing his duty, is severely wounded. He was packing a mate in a trench, when a Whiz-Bang exploded directly in front of them. Harold took the worst of it. He was a mess. GSW right anophthalmoe (eye), two small GSW’s on bridge of nose, shrapnel right forearm, shrapnel left arm, and shrapnel wounds to both legs.
Admitted No. 30 General Hospital, Calais, 18 August 1917. To England, Royal Berks Hospital, Reading, 29 August 1917. Right eye removed at Reading, 1 October 1917. To Epsom, 1 November 1917. To Westcliffe, Folkestone, 19 November 1917.
On 6 December 1916, in London, Harold received his glass eye. Captain N.C. Jones, C.A.M.C. of the medical board, on 8 December 1917, recommended that he be placed in Category “Biii” for four months. Harold still has two small paces of shrapnel below his right knee. It swells after much exertion.
20 June 1918, admitted to No. 11 Canadian General Hospital, Moore Barracks, knee symptoms. Awarded 10 days sick furlough, 8 – 18 July 1918.
Repatriation
Invalided to Canada, 24 September 1918. Harold was A.W.L. from 8 a.m. 17 November to 9 p.m. 18 November 1918, Guelph, Ontario. Admonished and forfeited two days pay.
Harold has his glass eye refitted at Guelph Military Convalescent Hospital on 27 November 1918. Discharged, with One Gold Stripe, at Hamilton, Ontario, 7 January 1919, medically unfit for service.
He went home to his wife Eva, at 140 Macaulay St., East Hamilton, Ontario.
Harold died 11 June 1983, in Hamilton, Ontario.