John Ferguson

The Battalion arrived at Le Havre on the 26/02/1915 and were transferred to 81st Brigade, 27th Division. On the 24/11/1915 they transferred to 14th Brigade, 5th Division. On the 25/01/1916 they transferred to Third Army Troops. On the 01/03/1916 they transferred to 154th Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division and finally on the 06/02/1918 they transferred to 183rd Brigade, 61st (South Midland) Division. On the 21st March 1918, the enemy launched what was intended to be a decisive offensive, attacking the British Fifth and Third Armies on the Somme in overwhelming strength. The 61st (2nd South Midland) Division was holding the forward zone of defences in the area northwest of Saint Quentin in the area of Ham and lost many men as it fought a chaotic but ultimately successful withdrawal back over the Somme crossings over the next ten days. In the initial clash, the South Midland faced three enemy Divisions and only began to retire on the afternoon of the 22nd March, when ordered to do so in consequence of the enemy’s progress at other parts of the line. John was shot through the head at the Battle of Hazebrouck during the German Spring Offensive and killed instantly at the Battle of Hazebrouck which was a phase of the Battles of the Lys, 9th April - 29th April 1918 : The third German offensive Operation Georgette takes place in Flanders with the objective of capturing key railway and supply roads and cutting off British Second Army at Ypres. After initial successes the German attack is once again held after British and French reserves are somehow found and deployed. SEE PHOTOS x 7 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY MARCH - APRIL 1918. The War Diary states estimated casualties for April 1918 were - 1 Officer and 15 Other Ranks Killed, 7 Officers and 135 Other Ranks Wounded, 144 Other Ranks Missing and 2 Other Ranks Died of Wounds. John enlisted 3 days after his 18th birthday and was killed 5 days after his 19th. John was formerly with the 56th Training Reserve Battalion (1603) and the Highland Light Infantry (56465). He is also remembered on the Maxwell Parish Church Roll of Honour (see photos). See photos for John's Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Ploegsteert Memorial, his name on the Ploegsteert Memorial Panel List, his Service Records x 15 (see Service Record (4) dated 22/06/1920 as John's brothers William and Samuel and his sister Agnes were born after 1901), John's Pension Records x 2, his former Regiment the Highland Light Infantry Cap Badge and the Royal Scots Cap Badge. Finally, see photos for the 61st (2nd South Midland) Division Order of Battle x 12 (the Division John was with when he fell).