| Regimental number | 626 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Newtown, Sydney, New South Wales |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Blacksmith's assistant |
| Address | c/o Mrs R Ferguson, Trebor, Warrengo Road, North Sydney, New South Wales |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 20 |
| Next of kin | Sister, Mrs J Ferguson, Trebor, Warrengo Road, North Sydney, New South Wales |
| Previous military service | Served 2.6 years in the 18th infantry Regiment. Served in the Australian Naval & Military Expeditionary Force: enlisted, 16 August 1914; discharged, 18 January 1915. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 17th Battalion, B Company |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/34/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A32 Themistocles on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Corporal |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 17th Battalion |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal 'Work on 9 October 1917 at Passchendaele Ridge.' Recommendation date: Mention in Corps Routine Orders Recommendation date: |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
Military Medal 'Conspicuous gallantry and leadership during the attack on 9th October on Passchendaele Ridge. When all Officers of his Company were casualties he took charge of the Company, and handled it with great skill and initiative, and by his coolness and example inspired all with confidence in his leadership, kept the men all together and cheery under most trying circumstances, contributing largely to the success of the day.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 76 Date: |
| Discharge date | |
| Family/military connections | Brother-in-law: 423 Pte John George MEEK, 17th Bn, returned to Australia, 12 December 1915. |
| Other details |
War service: enlisted at Liverpool, aged 20.6 years. Taken on strength, 17th Bn, Tel el Kebir, Egypt, 10 January 1916. Proceeded from Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 17 March 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 March 1916. Admitted to 50th Casualty Clearing Station (scabies), 21 September 1916; returned to duty, 24 September 1916. Appointed Lance Corporal, 13 November 1916; Corporal, 30 January 1917. Wounded in action (shell wound, left thigh), 28 February 1917, and admitted to 5th Australian Field Ambulance. Evacuated to England, 30 March 1917; admitted to General Hospital, Colchester, 31 March 1917; to 3rd Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 2 April 1917. Granted furlough, 18 April 1917, to report to No 2 Command Depot, Weymouth, 25 April 1917. Proceeded overseas to France via Southampton, 16 July 1917; rejoined Bn in the field, 1 August 1917. Promoted Sergeant, 15 October 1917. Awarded Military Medal, 31 October 1917. Admitted to 5th Australian Field Ambulance (scabies), 8 December 1917; rejoined Bn, 16 December 1917. Admitted to 2nd Auxiliary Hospital, Southall, 5 January 1918; marched out to Overseas Training Brigade, Fovant, 8 February 1918. Proceeded overseas to France via Folkestone, 1 September 1918. Wounded in action (gun shot wound, right leg), 3 October 1918. Evacuated to England and admitted to Countess of Lytton's Hospital, Berkeley Square, London, 17 October 1918; right leg amputated. Discharged from hospital, 21 December 1918, and granted furlough until 4 January 1919. Commenced return to Australia on board 'Czaritya', 16 March 1919; transshipped at Alexandria to 'Dunluce Castle', 7 April 1919. Discharged 6 June 1920. Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal ~ |
| Date of death | |
| Age at death | 52 |
| Place of burial | Botany Cemetery, Sydney, New South Wales |