John Paton

He found a breach and led his men inside a fortified mosque.

John Paton was born at Stirling, Scotland, in the 1830s. He joined the 93rd Highlanders and served in the Crimean War, taking part in operations recognized by the Alma, Balaklava and Sebastopol clasps. The regiment then went to India during the uprising of 1857.

On 16 November 1857 British troops advancing to relieve Lucknow were held up by the fortified Shah Najaf mosque. Paton went forward to examine the wall while under fire and found a small breach through which men could enter. His discovery provided a way into a position that had resisted the main assault. He helped lead the soldiers through the opening, enabling the regiment to overcome the defenders and continue the relief operation.

His comrades subsequently selected him for the Victoria Cross under the provision allowing an award by ballot for a collectively distinguished action. The decoration recognized both his personal reconnaissance and the importance of the opening he found. He received the medal in India in 1859. His Indian Mutiny Medal carried the Relief of Lucknow and Lucknow clasps.

Paton left the Army in 1861 and emigrated to Australia. He entered prison service in New South Wales and held appointments at Goulburn and Berrima. He married Mary Miller in 1866; she died in 1869, leaving two daughters. In 1872 he married Amelia Spurling. He eventually retired in 1896 and settled at Summer Hill, Sydney.

He died on 1 April 1914 and was buried in Rookwood Cemetery. His Victoria Cross and campaign medals later returned to the care of his regiment in Scotland, preserving the record of a soldier whose later working life was spent in Australia.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For distinguished personal gallantry at Lucknow, on the 16th of November, 1857, in proceeding alone round the Shah Nujjiff under an extremely heavy fire, discovering a breach on the opposite side, to which he afterwards conducted the Regiment, by which means that important position was taken. Elected by the non-commissioned officers of the Regiment.

The London Gazette of 24 December 1858, Numb. 22212, p. 5514.