Wilfrid Patterson
Admiral Sir Wilfrid Rupert Patterson KCB, CBE, CVO (20 November 1893 – 15 December 1954) was a senior officer in the Royal Navy. He was the Commodore Commanding His Majesty's Australian Squadron from September to November 1939. He participated in the naval battle that sunk the German battleship Bismarck.
Sir Wilfrid Rupert Patterson | |
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Photo from The National Portrait Gallery, 1943 | |
Born | 20 November 1893 Belfast, Ireland |
Died | 12 December 1954 61) Charing Cross Hospital, London | (aged
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service/ | Royal Navy |
Years of service | 1906–1950 |
Rank | Admiral |
Commands held | 5th Cruiser Squadron (1945–46) 2nd Cruiser Squadron (1944) HMS King George V (1940–42) HMAS Canberra (1938–40) HM Australian Squadron (1939) HMS Hawkins (1936–38) HMS Folkestone (1935) |
Battles/wars | First World War Second World War |
Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Order of the British Empire Commander of the Royal Victorian Order Mentioned in Despatches Legion of Merit (United States) |
Naval career
Born on 20 November 1893 in Belfast, Ireland, the son of William Robert Patterson and Elizabeth Fleming. He joined the Royal Navy as a cadet on 15 September 1906 and specialised in gunnery. He was appointed the Commodore Commanding His Majesty's Australian Squadron between 2 September 1939 and 1 November 1939.
In recognition of the role played while commanding HMS King George V in the destruction of the Bismarck, he was awarded the Companion of the Order of the Bath on 14 October 1941.[1] He was awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire on 11 June 1946.[2]
He was present at the surrender of the Japanese.[3]
Notes
- "No. 35307". The London Gazette (Supplement). 10 October 1941. p. 5945.
- "No. 37603". The London Gazette (Supplement). 7 June 1946. p. 2881.
- Certificate confirming the presence of Admiral Sir Wilfred Rupert Patterson at the Surrender of the Japanese, 12 September 1945.
Military offices | ||
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Preceded by Rear Admiral Wilfred Custance |
Rear Admiral Commanding HM Australian Squadron September – November 1939 |
Succeeded by Rear Admiral John Gregory Crace |