James Paterson was born in Ballarat and was a Fruiterer by trade when he enlisted in the Tunnelling Companies, January 1918 Reinforcements on 4 June 1917 at the age of 44. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A71 Nestor on 28 February 1918 and disembarked at Liverpool seven weeks later. In May he crossed to France to join the 2nd Australian Tunnelling Company, and served there until mid-August when he was returned to the City of London Military Hospital suffering from myalgia. He did not return to the battle front but was returned to Australia on the HS Somali, disembarking at Melbourne on February 3rd 1919.
Tree No. 3073