Alastair Paterson, a WWII Royal Navy veteran from Macduff, celebrates his 100th! He served on HMS Royalist.
He attended Macduff Primary School then Banff Academy. Alastair then worked for Alexander Paterson in his family’s fish business. Alastair wanted to join the Merchant Navy.
During World War Two, he served in the Royal Navy as a telegraphist on HMS Royalist. He saw action in Norway, the Mediterranean, and the Pacific.
In 1943, Alastair was called up to fight. He joined the Navy instead of the Army. His training took place near Skegness and Portsmouth.
Alastair became a qualified telegraphist and served on HMS Royalist, a light cruiser based on the Clyde. The ship supported aircraft carriers. He fought in the North Sea and they attacked the Tirpitz in Norway. Next, he supported landings in France.
He was on watch when Japan surrendered and sent the news to the task force. Andrew Simpson, the Lord-Lieutenant of Banffshire, visited Alastair.
After the war, Alastair returned home in 1946 and became a partner in his family’s business. He married Jessie Kynoch in 1952, after they met at dances in Banff.
They built their home in Macduff and raised three children there: Moira, Brenda, and Duncan. Jessie passed away in 2022 after they were married for 70 years. Alastair has five grandchildren.
He was a councillor and Justice of the Peace, but declined to be Provost, a role older Patersons held. Alastair loved photography and helped start the Deveron Camera Club.
Ships and model boats interested him. He went to school with Billie Heinrich, who also recently turned 100. He still lives at home alone and credits his long life to healthy habits, as he doesn’t drink or smoke.
He had a family meal at the Banff Springs Hotel, and Andrew Simpson visited him on his birthday. Alastair was part of a VJ Day event in 2020, marking the 75th anniversary.