Leon Dudley FERGUSON MC+Bar, MiD

FERGUSON, Leon Dudley

    Service Number: 856
    Enlisted: 18 March 1915, Place of enlistment - 18th March 1915
    Last Rank: Captain
    Last Unit: 45th Infantry Battalion (WW1)
    Born: Dungog, New South Wales, 1894
    Home Town: North Sydney, North Sydney, New South Wales
    Schooling: Not yet discovered
    Occupation: Commercial Traveller
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    World War 1 Service

    18 Mar 1915: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 856, 19th Infantry Battalion, Place of enlistment - 18th March 1915
    29 Mar 1915: Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 19th Infantry Battalion
    25 Jun 1915: Embarked AIF WW1, Sergeant, 856, 19th Infantry Battalion, Embarked on HMAT 'A40' Ceramic from Melbourne on 25th June 1915,
    23 Sep 1915: Wounded AIF WW1, Sergeant, 856, 19th Infantry Battalion, Bullet wounds to left arm and thigh
    12 Mar 1916: Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 19th Infantry Battalion
    29 Jun 1916: Transferred AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 45th Infantry Battalion (WW1)
    18 Aug 1916: Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 45th Infantry Battalion (WW1)
    1 May 1917: Honoured Military Cross, 'The Winter Offensive' - Flers/Gueudecourt winter of 1916/17, For gallantry and devotion to duty at GUEUDECOURT on the night of the 22/23 February 1917 during an attack on the enemy's trenches. Lieut. Ferguson was in charge of the attacking party and led his men with great dash and determination, taking and holding 120 yards of enemy's trench, capturing 30 prisoners and inflicting numerous casualties on the enemy. This officer, by his utter disregard of danger and initiative rendered valuable assistance in the consolidation of the captured trench - a very difficult operation owing to the abnormal state (thigh deep in mud) and the darkness of the night.
    7 Jun 1917: Wounded AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 45th Infantry Battalion (WW1), Gunshot wound to thigh
    18 Jun 1917: Promoted AIF WW1, Captain, 45th Infantry Battalion (WW1)
    12 Oct 1917: Wounded AIF WW1, Captain, 856, 45th Infantry Battalion (WW1), Gunshot wound to nose
    8 Aug 1918: Wounded AIF WW1, Captain, 856, 45th Infantry Battalion (WW1), Wounded in action, remained on duty
    12 Aug 1918: Honoured Military Cross and bar, Bar to Military Cross "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the operations East of HAMEL from 8th to 11th August 1918. He led his Company with great skill and dash securing his objective with few casualties and capturing 150 prisoners with a battery of 8 inch Howitzers. On another occasion during a minor operation his Company materially assisted in the consolidation. Although wounded he remained at his post and throughout the operations set a fine example to his company."
    1 Nov 1919: Embarked AIF WW1, Captain, 856, 45th Infantry Battalion (WW1), Embarked on Nestor from England on 1st November 1919.
    7 Apr 1920: Discharged AIF WW1, Captain, 856, 45th Infantry Battalion (WW1)

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