John Robert FERGUSON

Regimental number363
Place of birthBelfast, Co Antrim, Ireland
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationFarmer
AddressKaringa Farm, Clifton, Queensland
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation26
Height5' 6"
Weight130 lbs
Next of kinBrother, Andrew Ferguson, Karinga Farm, Clifton, Queensland
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date29 March 1916
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll29 March 1916
Place of enlistmentToowoomba, Queensland
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit nameMachine Gun Company 10, Reinforcement 4
AWM Embarkation Roll number24/15/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A17 Port Lincoln on 20 October 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll5th Machine Gun Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 6 September 1919
Discharge date22 December 1919
Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked Melbourne, 20 October 1916; transferred to HMAT 'Ulysses' at Sierra Leone, West Africa, 5 December 1916; disembarked Devonport, England, 28 December 1916. Marched in to Australian Details Camp, Perham Downs, 17 January 1917. Found guilty, 25 January 1917, of interfering with the Military Police: awarded 168 hours' detention, 14 days confined to barracks.

Transferred to 5th Division Machine Gun Company, 13 February 1917. Found guilty, 4 May 1917, of conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline in that he was in the canteen at a prohibited hour, 4 May 1917: awarded 3 days' Field Punishment no 2. Found guilty, 1 August 1917, of being absent from church parade, 29 July 1917: awarded 2 days' Field Punishment No 2. Appointed Driver, 15 July 1917.

Proceeded overseas to France, 7 September 1917. Found guilty, 19 September 1917, of conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline in that he at 8 am on 19/9/17 did use threatening language to his superior officer: awarded 3 days' Field Punishment No 2.

On leave to Paris, 15 March 1918; rejoined unit from leave, 23 March 1918.

Wounded in action (gassed), 24 April 1918; admitted to 1st Canadian General Hospital, Etaples, 26 April 1918; transferred to England, 9 May 1918, and admitted to Croydon War Hospital; transferred to 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 27 August 1918; granted furlough, 28 May 1918, to report to No 4 command Depot, Hurdcott, 11 June 1918. Marched in to Overseas Training Brigade, 13 July 1918; to Machine Gun Training Depot, Parkhouse, 26 July 1918. Found guilty, 3 August 1918, of being absent without leave from midnight, 23 July, to 9 am, 24 July 1918: awarded 7 days confined to barracks; forfeited 1 day's pay. Proceeded overseas to France, 12 September 1918; rejoined unit, 17 September 1918.

Marched in to Base Depot, Havre, 13 March 1919; disembarked Southampton, 22 April 1919, to report to No 2 Group HQ, Sutton Veny. Granted leave with pay only from 28 April to 1 August 1919: dairying; to attend Andrew Ferguson Auctioneers, Ashgrove, Co Antrim. Granted embarkation leave, 16 August 1919.

Commenced return to Australia from Devonport on board 'Euripides', 7 September 1919; disembarked Sydney, 24 October 1919; discharged, 22 December 1919.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death28 September 1968
Place of burialAyr Cemetery
SourcesNAA: B2455, FERGUSON John Robert