James FERGUSON

Regimental number6020
Date of birth19 October 1882
Place of birthBuangor, Victoria
Place of birthTaytoon, Victoria
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationLabourer
AddressBuangor, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation34
Height5' 7.5"
Weight127 lbs
Next of kinFather, D Ferguson, Buangor, Victoria
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date17 April 1916
Place of enlistmentArarat, Victoria
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name8th Battalion, 19th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/25/5
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A32 Themistocles on 28 July 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll39th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 30 January 1918
Discharge date1 May 1918
Family/military connectionsBrothers: 6019 Corporal Arthur George FERGUSON, 39th Bn, returned to Australia, 1 July 1919; 6020 1708 Pte Ernest Richard FERGUSON, 59th Bn, returned to Australia, 12 November 1916.
Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked Melbourne, 28 July 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 11 September 1916.

Proceeded overseas to France, 23 November 1916.

'On the 1st June 1917 at Hyde Park Corner, Ploegsteert Wood, some 400 rounds of French Mortar ammunition was blown up, setting adjacent dumps ablaze. There was imminent danger of still further explosions which must have caused many more casualties but the danger was averted by the prompt and courageous energy of Pte Ferguson with other members of the Division.'

Wounded in action, 4 October 1917 (gun shot wound, left leg), and admitted to 10th Australian Field Ambulance and transferred to 10th Casualty Clearing Station; transferred by Ambulance Train, 4 October 1917, and admitted to 18th General Hospital, Camiers, 5 October 1917; transferred to England, 13 October 1917, and admitted to Norfolk War Hospital; transferred to 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 28 November 1917; to No 2 Command Depot, Weymouth, 27 December 1917.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Euripides', 30 January 1918; disembarked Melbourne, 21 March 1918; discharged (bullet wound, right leg), Melbourne, 1 May 1918.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death13 December 1958
Age at death76
Place of burialArarat General Cemetery, Victoria
SourcesNAA: B2455, FERGUSON James