George Henry Tatham Paton was 22 years old, and an Acting Captain in the 4th Bn., Grenadier Guards, during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

His citation reads:

On 1 December 1917 at Gonnelieu, France, when a unit on Captain Paton's left was driven back, thus leaving his flank in the air and his company practically surrounded, he walked up and down adjusting the line, within 50 yards of the enemy, under a withering fire. He personally removed several wounded men and was the last to leave the village. Later he again adjusted the line and when the enemy counter-attacked four times, each time sprang on to the parapet, deliberately risking his life, in order to stimulate his men. He was eventually mortally wounded.

He had previously been awarded the Military Cross.

Paton was born in Innellan, Argyllshire, Scotland on 3 October 1895 the son of George William and Etta Tatham Paton of Wolvinston House, Whyteleafe, Surrey.

Colonel Paton's gravestone

He is buried in Metz-en-Couture Communal Cemetery British Extension, Pas-de-Calais, France. [Grave II.E.24.].

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Grenadier Guards Regimental Headquarters, Wellington Barracks, London, England.