David Fernie

Sergeant David Fernie. Authors image

275961 Sergeant

‘B’ Company 1/7th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, 154th Infantry Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division

Age: 28

Date of Death: 30.7.17

Buried: Dozinghem Military Cemetery II.B.6

Family history: Son of Mrs J Fernie and the late John Fernie, Post Office Buildings, Bonnybridge. He had four brothers also serving. Prior to enlisting in November 1914, he was employed as a moulder by the Bonnybridge Foundry.

The action leading to his death

The 1/7th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders were engaged in a trench raid on the German trenches at Morteldje on 24 July. This was comprised of 3 Officers and 70 other ranks.

Trench map showing the location of the trench raid by the 1/7th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

The War Diary records

The War Diary recorded that there was one officer wounded, two other ranks killed, one other rank died of wounds, four other ranks wounded (two at duty).

David died of his wounds, a gunshot wound to the chest. In a letter to his mother an officer from the Casualty Clearing Station at Dozinghem wrote: ‘I regret to inform you that your son, Sergeant Fernie, has received a gun shot of chest, and is in this clearing station dangerously ill. He is receiving every possible attention, and is very brave and cheerful (an excellent patient, like all the Scottys), but I am sorry to say his condition is very grave. I shall write you again tomorrow. In the meantime I can only assure you that nothing shall be left undone to help your brave boy.’

Medals Awarded

The British War Medal, Victory Medal.

Sergeant David Fernie, 1/7th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, Medal Index Card