William John Paterson (Lt.) born at Warrnambool, was a 28 year old teacher at Ballarat Junior Technical School when he enlisted in Melbourne on July 6th 1915. He underwent officer training and was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in June 1916. As a reinforcement for the 39th Infantry Battalion, he embarked aboard the Port Lincoln on October 20th 1916 and sailed to England. He then joined his unit in France in July 1917. In June 1918 a heart complication forced his evacuation to hospital in England where he was assessed as unfit for further active service. He left England in August aboard the City of Karachi, disembarked at Melbourne on October 24th and his commission was terminated on January 1st 1919.