Idris was the son of Dr. James Patton of 185 Whitehall Road, Gateshead.
Idris studied medicine at the College of Medicine 1916 to 1917, after which he was commissioned into the RAF, gaining his pilot certificates in September that year.
At the time of his death he was acting as flying instructor in wireless telephony at Chatters Hill Aerodome, Stockbridge. Shorthly after Armistice Day he contracted influenza and Idris died from pneumonia on November 18th 1918.
Medical Gazette Vol XIX, p. 26, Obituary: ‘Born in 1899, Idris Knox, the only child of James Patton, M.B., of 185. Whitehall Road, Gateshead, died from pneumonia following influenza, on November 18th, 1918, at Tidworth Military Hospital . Educated at Bilton Grange, Harrogate, and The School Durham, he took a big interest in the games of his schools and college. At Durham he was a member of the 2nd XV and one of the holders of the “Guest Williams” Cup for gymnastics. He matriculated at Durham University in 1916, and entered the College of Medicine early in that year. During his short time with us he was one of the most promising of students and one of the most popular men of his year. Joining the D.U.O.T.C. early in his university career he obtained his commission in the RAF in September 1917, in which branch of the service he received his pilot’s certificate three months later. As earnest and popular a man in his unit as he ever was at the university, Patton soon reached a high standard as a flying man, and at the time of his death was acting as flying instructor in wireless telephony at Chatters Hill Aerodome, Stockbridge. Shorthly after Armistice Day Lieut. Patton was seized by an attack of influenza which ended so fatally at Tidworth. He was buried at Gateshead cemetery, when six of the men of the college acted as his under-bearers. Let us help to perpetate his memory in the annals of the college for in reality he died in the service of his country. Amicus’