George Patterson, born on 10th August 1888, was admitted to King Edward’s School in September 1901. He lived with his parents, Betsy and George, a cycle manufacturer, as well as his brother, Harry, and his sister, Hilda, at 214, Bristol Road, Edgbaston (and later at 52, Westfield Road). Harry, also an Old Edwardian, served with the Royal Engineers, reaching the rank of Captain and sustaining a serious wound in 1915.
At School, George excelled academically in the Second Class in the Modern School, which offered a curriculum that emphasised scientific rather than classical subjects. He and his brother were also keen swimmers and in May 1907, both swam against Birmingham University as part of the School team. After School, George attended Birmingham University, studying Engineering.
In 1912, George gained a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the 1st North Midlands Field Company of the Royal Engineers (the same company and regiment as his brother, Harry). In November 1914, George was sent to France as a Lieutenant. On 13th October 1915, during the storming of the Hohenzollern Redoubt during the Battle of Loos, while taking part in what was described as “a gallant rush”, George, now Captain Patterson, was killed, aged twenty-seven. He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France, and on the Birmingham University War Memorial. He left his estate of £1,318 to his father.