A Great War C.B.E. pair awarded to Colonel Stanley Paterson, F.R.G.S., F.R.E.S., Commandant, Second Scottish District 1912-19, formerly Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military) Commander’s 1st type neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, in Garrard, London case of issue; British War Medal 1914-20 (Col. S. Paterson) with copy M.I.D. emblem on ribbon, about extremely fine (2) £500-600

Stanley Paterson was born in Restalrig Park, Edinburgh on 13 February 1860, the son of David A. Paterson, J.P., of Dalnagar and Toinloid, Perthshire. After a private education he was commissioned into the Highland Light Infantry Militia in 1877. He transferred to the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders in 1879, being promoted to Lieutenant in 1881, Captain in 1886, Major in 1894 and Lieutenant-Colonel in 1903. Awarded the Brevet of Colonel in 1906, he was placed on Half Pay and promoted to the rank of Colonel in 1907. Paterson commanded the 2nd Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, 1903-07. During his military career he served in South Africa, St. Helena, China and India. As Colonel he commanded No. 2 (South of Scotland) District, 1912-18. For his services during the Great War he was awarded the British War Medal 1914-20 and the Silver War Badge (not with lot) and was mentioned in despatches (”B” mention) and awarded the C.B.E. (London Gazette 3 June 1919).

Having acquired considerable estates, he settled in Kenya after the war; his listed places of residence being ‘The Brass Mill, Newent, Gloucestershire and Melangini, Gilgil, Kenya; he also had estates in Scotland. Paterson was a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and Fellow of the Royal Empire Society and travelled and explored extensively in Venezuela. He wrote several stories on the subjects of travel and sport in the Chambers Journal and listed his recreations as shooting, fishing and farming. Also a collector of war medals, his collection was sold by Sotheby’s on 30 April 1934. Colonel Paterson died on 21 August 1950.

A keen hunter, his unfortunate encounter with an elephant is recorded in The Times of 29 September 1890.

‘.... while shooting in an unfrequented part of the Malacca Peninisula, between Mear and the Gemeuchi river. Captain Paterson’s gun missed fire, and the elephant he was hunting knocked him down, pinned him to the ground by driving a tusk through one of his thighs, and then attempted to crush him by kneeling on him. Captain Paterson, however, held on by the other tusk, whereupon the elephant passed his trunk round the captain’s waist, threw him to a distance of about 30 yards, and left him. Lieutenant Sutherland, who was with Captain Paterson, did the best he could for his friend, but it was 27 hours before the latter could obtain any water beyond what Captain Sutherland squeezed out of plants into his mouth. It was also eight days before he could obtain any medical aid. In addition to the wound, Captain Paterson suffered severe internal injuries from the elephant’s trunk. .... The scene of the accident is believed to be a part of the country previously untrodden by white men.’

In 1892 Paterson commanded the Guard when Queen Victoria inspected the Scottish Militia at Greenock. A volunteer officer’s horse became spooked and tried to jump the Queen’s carriage, becoming stuck in the carriage. Captain Paterson ran over and pulled the frightened animal from the carriage. The Queen subsequently invited Paterson to dinner.

With a folder containing extensive research.