Sixteen Footscray players served with the Australian Imperial Forces during the Great War, but perhaps none with more distinction than 2^nd Corporal Alec ‘Tattles’ Paterson.

Paterson was born on 25 April 1891 and grew up in Yarraville, in Melbourne’s western suburbs.

From a family of eleven children, Paterson was given the nickname ‘Taddles’ as a child, as he was forever catching tadpoles. This later became ‘Tattles’ within football circles.

‘Tattles’ was a handy sportsman, playing cricket with North Melbourne and football for Yarraville, before being transferred to Footscray in 1912, at age 21. ‘Tattles’ spent one year with Footscray before he served overseas with the Australian Imperial Force in the 5th Division Signallers, during WWI.

An excerpt from the book The Bulldog Heritage details his wartime experiences –

“…It is known that he was one of the survivors of the debacle in the Middle East when the commander of his Unit marched the Division forty miles (64 kilometres) to Moasca, there being no vehicles available to transport them. The commander got them lost in the desert.

‘Tattles’ was one of the first six survivors to reach the camp, having kept a pebble in his mouth topromote saliva during the ordeal… Fortunately, the New Zealand contingent based at the camp, on hearing the Australians’ plight, came out to search for them and saved many.

Although subsequent blame was put on the commander, those soldiers who did survive were forced next day to march for two hours in the sun with full packs, as punishment for getting lost.”

‘Tattles’ role in the army was to repair and keep open an 1800m command post communication line, which could easily be broken or damaged by enemy fire. The signallers’ lives were often in extreme danger as they attempted to repair the line.

“On 20 September 1918, ‘Tattles’ wascongratulated by Major General J. Talbot Hobbs, Commander in the Field of the 5th Australian Division, for his gallantry in the Estrées and Barieux on 30 and 31 August 1918, where he was mentioned in dispatches after the battle, in routine order number 245.

Again, on 30 September 1918, on the Hellicourt Front, the record states:

‘The area was subject to considerable enemy shelling during the day which caused damage to the cables and necessitated the linesmen being out continuously.

By his devotion to duty and untiring energy, 2nd Corporal Paterson was an excellent example to those working under him.

It was largely due to his influence and efforts that communication between Division and Brigades was successfully maintained during important operations.’”

On 5 April 1919, ‘Tattles’ was awarded the Belgian Croix De Guerre medal for his services, a rare decoration for an Australian soldier.

At completion of the war, ‘Tattles’ returned to play with Footscray in 1919, 1920 and was judged best afield inFootscray’s 1919 premiership win against North Melbourne. A quick wingman, ‘Tattles’ was renowned for his high marking ability.

It was said that one quarter of the ‘Tricolours’ side in 1919 comprised returned soldiers.

The Western Bulldogs acknowledge the services of several past players and administration staff who have served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.