Major William Harvey Paterson was born on 16th July 1921 in Puketurua, Northland, New Zealand. He studied at Otahuhu College, Auckland, then joined New Zealand's Territorial Defence Force. He would later volunteer for the Indian Army's 2nd Punjab Regiment, where he was appointed on an emergency commission to become a 2nd Lieutenant on July 5th, 1941. (Information courtesy of the Auckland Museum website). 

Paterson joined the 152nd Indian Parachute Battalion in its very early days, participating in Operation Drab as the 2ic of A Company. This was an internal security mission aimed at preventing Hur tribesmen from ransacking trains in the Hyderabad area. The company was dropped from Valentia aircraft near the Nara river, with a plan to catch the bandits off guard. But the tribesmen had learnt of the plan and escaped before they even arrived. Paterson himself recalled that not a single rebel was sighted on the whole Operation. 

During the Battle of Sangshak, Paterson was still in post as the second in command of A Company, 152 (Indian) Parachute Battalion. His men were at first tasked with rescuing C Company from a forward position at 7378 that was always destined to be overwhelmed. When this became inevitable, A Company withdrew to Sangshak where they held a plateau overlooking the vital church position which faced northwest. Paterson was seriously wounded on the 23rd March 1944. This was recorded in the 152 Battalion's war diary:

"During the night 22/23 Mar the enemy had occupied Sangshak village and at 0730 hrs heavy and accurate fire LMG + rifle was opened on “A” Coy’s position. Lt Paterson and Seaton and position Mahratta Light Infantry were immediately hit as digging the defences was in progress. The rest of the day was spent in constructing and coordinating the defences". 

Paterson had buried his pewter tankard near an allied ammunition dump, but when this exploded it melted his tankard to a metal scrap. This is now in the museum's collection along with several of Paterson's mess bills and drink bills as well as a national flag of Japan he captured sometime between June 28 and August 1, 1944. Other effects include a map of Kohima showing the route taken by 152 Battalion in July 1944, two uniforms, and a silver photo. 

Major Paterson remained in the 152 during its renaming to the 4th Battalion, Indian Parachute Regiment. He married his wife Hilda, who was employed by Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service, in 1946. He died on the 6th October, 2006. 

Compiled with information from:

India's Paratroopers, A History of the Parachute Regiment of India (London, 1975), K.C. Praval 

Airborne Assault Archive (Boxes 3 H4 20.1.1, 3 H4 20.1.2 and 3 H4 20.1.3)

Auckland Museum online cenotaph: https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C121648?lang=en-nz

Article written by Alex Walker