John Montgomery Ferguson

Able Seaman John Montgomery Ferguson, Howe Battalion

Clyde Z/5000

Able Seaman, Howe Battalion, RNVR, 188th Infantry Brigade, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division

Age: 21

Date of Death: 26.10.17

Buried: Tyne Cot Memorial Panel 2 to 3

Family history: Son of Robert Fergusson, 9 Russell Place, Broomhill House, High Bonnybridge. Prior to enlisting in May 1915, he had been employed as a brickmaker with the Bonnybridge Silica and Fireclay Company Ltd.

He had seen service at Gallipoli and received a gun shot wound to the left arm at Beaumont Hamel on 13 November 1916.

The action leading to his death

The Royal Naval Division, 188th and 189th Brigades, took part in what became known as the Second Battle of Passchendaele with the planned advance to go beyond Poelcappelle and towards Westroosebeke. The Division was to attack along a 1,500 yard front, across ground which got gradually worse towards the north and being virtually impassable near the Lekkerboterbeek stream. Their first objective was along a line between Varley Farm and Banff House, approximately 300 yards in front, and the final objective lay across the Paddebeek stream some 500 yards further on. The ground was a shell holed quagmire and both Generals Gough and Plumer wanted the offensive brought to an end however, Haig insisted on pressing on until the Passchendaele Ridge had been secured. On the 24 October the Royal Naval Division relieved the 9th (Scottish) Division and prepared for the offensive on the 26 October. AB John Ferguson was to be killed in this fighting.

Trench map showing the area of attack by the Royal Naval Division on 26 October 1917

Medals Awarded

The British War Medal, Victory Medal.