2nd Lieutenant Michael Theodore Paget
3rd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers
17th August 1917
Born January 1898 in Holt, Dorset. He was baptised on 08/01/1898.
Hs parents were he Reverend Cecil George Paget (19/06/1853-24/04/1929) and Innes Elizabeth Skinner (22/04/1859-29/12/1944).
They were married on 04/01/1887.
Michael had 6 brothers, Francis Austin Elliott (1890-31/07/1916), Bernard Leopold (1892-25/02/1974), John Christopher (1895-26/04/1917), Dudley Noel (11/12/1896-06/02/1997), Martin Charles (1900-03/03/1931) and Felix Barnaby (11/06/1904-04/07/1985).
He also had 2 sisters, Averil Mary (15/11/1887-06/05/1975) and Cecily Innes (21/06/1902-05/05/1979).
In the 1901 census, the family were recorded as living at Holt Vicarage, Holt, Wimborne, Dorset. Cecil was a clergyman in the town.
By the time of the 1911 census, Michael was at school and was recorded as being at Wimborne Grammar School.
No information is available as to when or where Michael enlisted, but he did so as Private 28257 in the Dorsetshire Regiment.
Michael gained promotion to Second Lieutenant in 1917/
London Gazette 15/05/1917
Special Reserve of officers
The undermentioned from office cadet units to be 2nd Lts.:-
26 Apr.1917
Lan(cashire)Fus(iliers).- Michael Theodore Paget.
He went to France on 21/06/1917 with the 3rd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers and was killed in action only 2 months later.
Swanage and Wareham Guardian – Saturday 01 September 1917
An Officer’s Death
Second-Lieut. Michael Theodore Paget, Lancashire Fusiliers, killed on August 17th, aged 19, was the fourth son of the Rev. Cecil G. and Mrs Paget, formerly of Stock House, Sturminster Newton. He was educated at Wimborne Grammar School and Lancing College,
received a commission in the Lancashire Fusiliers last April, and was sent to the front on June 21st. His Captain writes:-
“ He was killed on the night of the 17th while faithfully carrying out his duty. Death was instantaneous, a piece of shell going right through his steel helmet. We buried him the same day, on the ground he had so ably helped me capture from the enemy the day before. We miss him greatly; he had been in my company ever since he came out and was a great favourite with the men and a most able and useful officer.” Mr Paget’s two elder brothers have given their lives for their country.
Michael was awarded the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.
Two of his brothers were also killed during the war,
Francis was Private SP/3498 24th Battalion London Regiment and went to France on 15/11/1915. He was killed action on 31/07/1916. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial - Pier and Face 8c,9a and 16a.
Swanage and Wareham Guardian – Saturday 26 August 1916
Paget – Killed in action on July 31, Francis Austin Elliott Paget, Private, Royal Fusiliers, eldest son of Rev. Cecil G. Paget and Mrs Paget. Stock House, Sturminster Newton, aged 25.
John was a Lieutenant, acting Captain 157th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery. He went to France on 04/09/1915.
He was killed in action on 25/04/1917. He is buried in Mory Abbey Military Cemetery – Mory, Department du Pas-de-Calais,
Nod-Pas-de-Calais, France – Plot I.C.5.
Hampshire Chronicle and General Advertiser May 5, 1917
Roll of Honour
Paget – Killed in action on the 26th of April, John Christopher Paget, Captain, R.G.A., third son of Rev. Cecil G. and Mrs Paget
(Glen Court, Bournemouth) aged 22 years five weeks.
The Western Gazette – Friday May 11, 1917
Captain John C. Paget Killed.- Captain John Christopher Paget , Royal Garrison Artillery, who was killed in action on April 26th, was the third son of the Rev. Cecil G. and Mrs Paget, of Glencourt , Bournemouth. He was born in March 1895 and passed out of Woolwich in September 1914: He had promotion in June 1915 and became acting – captain in December 1916.