Moses Patterson

Police Constable 148, Toronto Police Force | Private, 116th Battalion (Central Ontario), CEF

Moses Patterson was born in Donegal, Ireland on August 20th, 1887. Resettling in Toronto, Patterson was hired by the Toronto Police Force as Police Constable No. 148 in October 1909. By 1916, he was stationed in the Orderly Room at Headquarters, No. 1 Police Station (Court St). He was a bachelor who lived at 35 Grosvernor St, close to where the Toronto Police Headquarters stands today. Patterson also had a brother, James, on the Force.

On January 24th 1916, Constable Patterson enlisted in Toronto’s 169th Battalion (109th Regiment), CEF, and was soon promoted to Sergeant while training in Canada. Prior to sailing to England, Patterson was presented with a wristwatch and Sergeant’s Stick by his police colleagues, who he was “most popular” with.

After some time preparing in England, Patterson reverted to the rank of Private to join the 116th Battalion (Ontario County), CEF, in France as a replacement, and proceeded to the front in late March 1917. After surviving a year of combat, Patterson was killed in action while attacking the Bois du Sart/Bois du Vert during the Battle of the Scarpe on Wednesday, August 27th 1918.

Constable Moses Patterson lies buried at Vis-En-Artois British Cemetery in Haucourt, France.

Research Sources:

  • H. Grassett – Annual Report of the Chief Constable of the City of Toronto for the Year 1914, Page 47. Toronto: The Carswell Co Ltd City Printers, 1915.
  • Library and Archives Canada. Attestation Papers of No. 679283 Moses Patterson.
  • Library and Archives Canada. War Diaries of the First World War – 116th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 1917/02/08 –1919/02/28.
  • Library and Archives Canada. Circumstances of Death Registers Card – No. 679283 Moses Patterson.
  • Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Casualty Details for No. 679283 Moses Patterson.
  • The Globe [Toronto] (1918, September 20th), Page 7. “List of Toronto Men who Fell in Action”.
  • Toronto Telegram (1918, September). “Police Constable Killed.”
  • Toronto Daily Star (1918, October 9th), Page 11. “Will Made in Letter of Toronto Soldier”.
  • The Globe [Toronto] (1921, January 22nd), Page 21. “Inscribe Names on Honor Roll”.