Biography:
1. William Paten (1) was a Carpenter 1st Class, who was paid £1.9.9d for work carried out by the Engineers' Department between the 15th and 21st July 1809. (Supply 5/228 dated the 21st December 1809).
2. At 11.15 on the 27th November 1811, there was a huge explosion at No. 4 Press House, and the ensuing fire engulfed the Corning House and the Reel House, which also exploded. There was much damage to the town with many windows shattered, and reports in the press recorded that the explosion was heard as far away as Hackney, Blackwall and Marylebone (Winters, p.72). William was working at an adjacent Mill at the time and noticed a piece of burning rope landing on the platform in front of the powder magazine near a door which had been wrenched from its hinges. He ran to the spot, extinguished the rope and secured the door to prevent a huge explosion. Mr Mathews recommended to the Board that Peyton be rewarded for his prompt action (Supply 5/229 dated the 4th December 1811) and Winters (p.71) recorded that Peyton was given a £20 reward.
3. A letter from the Office of Ordnance dated the 27th February 1818 (Supply 5/202) stated therein, "Having laid before the Board your letter of the 30th ult. reporting upon the Petition from William Paton, Carpenter in the service of this Department at Waltham Abbey, I am in reply directed to desire you will retain Mr. Paton, in consequence of the courage and conduct he evinced at the late explosion of the Mills in 1811."
