A decorated war hero who survived a 100ft fall from a cliff during the 1960s has died from a head injury after slipping on his own doorstep.
Retired Royal Marine Commando Colour Sergeant William Paterson, 81, who received the Military Medal for gallantry, had been out for a walk with his son-in-law when he fell off the four-inch front doorstep at his home in Glenrothes.
The irony of the fall has not been lost on his family, who told The Courier of their love and respect for a “modest, quiet man” who had been in “perfect health” and was renowned for his “dry wit and great sense of humour”.
At her home in Glenrothes, Mr Paterson’s widow Betty said: “In 1962 he fell 100 feet off a cliff. He was a climber and a mountain leader training young Royal Marine recruits on Dartmoor.
“When it came to his turn to climb down the rope, it snapped and he was badly injured and lucky to survive. He was in hospital for months and had a metal plate put in his arm.
“If he had not had the presence of mind to wrap his arm around his head he would not have survived.”
His daughter Angela Duncan, of Carnoustie, said: “He never talked about the accident. It’s ironic this has happened now after he fell just four inches off the front step.
“He cracked his skull and never regained consciousness. We’re told he wouldn’t have known anything about it.”
Born in Glasgow, Mr Paterson attended the city’s Kelvinhaugh Primary and Hamilton Crescent Senior Secondary.
Leaving school at 15, he worked for a baker and cabinet maker before joining the Royal Marines at 17. He served in various places over 28 years including Malaya, Cyprus, Malta, Australia, Singapore and did five tours of Northern Ireland.
In 1964, just two years after his climbing accident, he was awarded the Military Medal by the Queen for gallantry in the Aden Protectorate, now the Yemen.
Mr Paterson is survived by his wife Betty who he married in Glasgow on December 15, 1961 his two daughters Angela and Jacqueline, four grandchildren and one great grandson. He is also survived by three brothers and five sisters.
His funeral takes place at Kirkcaldy Crematorium at 11am on Tuesday.