Mary Paterson (M Paterson) is the only female listed on the
Milton Ontario Cenotaph. Her name was not added to the Cenotaph
until 2004, unfortunately as we now know in error. There
was no such person as Mary
Paterson.
Mary Blaikley was serving with the Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary
Corps of the British Expeditionary Force. Although a civilian unit,
the women were at the front undertaking tasks that would free
the men to move to the front lines. It is reported that 8
officials (civilian officers) and 75 members (civilian soldiers)
were killed during the war.
A letter from her superior reports that Mary was killed by an
aerial torpedo dropped from an enemy plane at 2 o'clock in the
morning of May 30, 1918. She and her comrades were in an
underground shelter.
The bombs were dropped on Camp 1 and
eight (8) were killed immediately, one (1) later and
seven (7) others were slightly wounded. The pictures shown are from the members of the Great
War Forum who have assisted in recovering the
information as it relates to the QMAAC.
In the process of searching for more information on Mary, a Great War Forum posting reported on the death
of 9 women in a protection trench on May 29-30, 1918.
Coincidence would have to say it was the same group. Eight (8)
were reported killed and seven (7) wounded.
The women listed as being killed on that fateful day in May
1918 are as follows: (plus one who died of wounds)
