" Advice has been received that Corporal Alan S. Paterson has been awarded the British Empire Medal and has been mentioned in despatches. Corporal Paterson is a son of Mr and Mrs R. N. Paterson, of Herbert, and has been serving as a fitter-armourer with the ground staff of the R.A.F. in North Africa. He is an old boy of the Otago Boys’ High School and Nelson College, and joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in August, 1939. In January, 1941, he left for England, where he was married to a member of the W.A.A.F. in March, 1942. Particulars of his award have not yet come to hand, but his parents have received the following cablegram from the Minister of Defence, Mr F. Jones: “ It is with great pleasure that I have learned that your son, Corporal Alan S. Paterson, was included in the Birthday Honours of his Majesty the King, and was awarded the British Empire Medal. On behalf of the Prime Minister and the Government of New Zealand, I desire to express my congratulations that the splendid services of your son have been recognised by this honour.”"

[Otago Daily Times, Issue 25255, 18 June 1943, Page 2]

"A fatal accident occurred on the Main South road on Dewar's Hill, about two miles north of Maheno, shortly before 11 o'clock on Wednesday night, when a motor cycle, ridden by Flight-sergeant Alan Stuart Paterson, of Herbert, crashed into the rear of a car driven by Patrick Greaney. The motor cyclist was killed, apparently instantaneously. Flight-sergeant Paterson was a son of Mr R. N. Paterson, of "Oaklands," Herbert, and grandson of Mr N. Paterson, of Dunedin He was educated at the Otago Boys' High School and at Nelson College, and enlisted in the permanent ground staff of the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1939 prior to the outbreak of war. He had served in England, Scotland, North Africa, Sicily, Italy, India, Burma, and Ceylon, and returned to New Zealand on furlough on October 31. While serving abroad, he was awarded the British Empire Medal and was mentioned in despatches. He was also the holder of the Africa Star (red rosette). He was married in Scotland about two years ago, his wife being a member of the clerical staff of the Royal Air Force."

[Evening Star, Issue 25370, 29 December 1944, Page 5]