Info on William Watson Pattison

I have discovered that my mothers brother William Watson Pattison was with the commandos for a short period of time and looking for any information about his time there.
He enlisted with the Cameronians in 1939 and from an obituary on his death it says that he transferred to the Commandos and escaped from Crete in a barge. Then obtained a commission 2nd Lt with Durham Light Infantry and was killed in his first engagement within hours of arriving on 7th December 1941.
He is buried at Tobruk.

Any info other than above would be great
many thanks

Hi Susan

Are you able to post the Obituary on here or advise me where it was from? Post a photo of William as well if you have one. Any problems just contact me by email link below.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 08/10/2021 14:52:56

Susan provided this image of her uncle.

In Memory of 226186 Second Lieutenant William Watson Pattison
Durham Light Infantry 2nd Bn.,
who died 7 December 1941 Tobruk
Remembered with honour at Tobruk War Cemetery Libya

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 08/10/2021 15:00:34

Susan has sent this transcript of a newspaper report. It clearly shows commando service and she is awaiting arrival of the Service Record which hopefully will have specifics.

Glasgow Herald, Tuesday 3rd February, Page 6.

GLASGOW MAN REPORTED KILLED IN ACTION
Served with the Commandos

Second Lieutenant William W Pattison (25), second son of the late Mr Richard N Pattison and Mrs Pattison, 7 Leslie Street, Pollokshields, Glasgow, has been officially reported as killed in action. He was a B.L. of the University of Glasgow, and enlisted in the Cameronians, in 1939, after the outbreak of war. Later he transferred to the Commandos and saw active service with this force. He was one of a number who escaped from Crete in a barge. Later he obtained a commission in the Durham Light Infantry. He was a grandson of the late Robert Renwick, the Glasgow historian.

Notes
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists WO417/2 (2 entries).
London Gazette 35445, page 604 (commissioned 2/Lieut. 16 Nov. 1941).
Report in Glasgow Herald newspaper, Tuesday 3rd February 1942.
[Image] His niece Susan Pattison.

On the 7th April recorded in 7 Commando's War Diary is the following entry;

'Members of the Battalion Liaison Section were interviewed by the Bde. I.O., Lt. Waugh, and Ptes Pattison, Mander, Close and P.S.M. Harper were accepted for the Bde. Intelligence Section.'

It's quite possible this relates to Pte W.W. Pattison.

C.C. Close was posted missing on Crete 2 June 1941 and remained a POW until the wars end.

Pipe Sergeant Major Harper was due to be posted away from 7 Commando according to their Provisional Establishment dated 22nd March 1941 he was deemed over strength.

Hope this will be of some use.

Kind regards,

Alan.