Archie Hugh FERGUSON

FERGUSON, Archie Hugh

Service Numbers: 1909, 1909A
Enlisted: Not yet discovered
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 46th Infantry Battalion
Born: Campbelltown, Victoria, 1885
Home Town: Craigieburn, Hume, Victoria
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Farmer
Died: Died of Illness (Pneumonia), France, 15 February 1917
Cemetery: Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension
Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Dernancourt, Picardie, France
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Campbellfield War Memorial
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World War 1 Service

20 May 1916: Involvement Private, 1909, 46th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Medic embarkation_ship_number: A7 public_note: ''
20 May 1916: Embarked Private, 1909, 46th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Medic, Melbourne
15 Feb 1917: Involvement Private, 1909A, 46th Infantry Battalion, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 1909A awm_unit: 46th Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Private awm_died_date: 1917-02-15

Family background

Archie Hugh Ferguson born 1885 Campbelltown. His cousin wrote "Next morning David and I were roused by the carolling of magpies. Their note is beautiful and rich and when caught young make fine pets and are fine talkers and singers. We got up as the sun was almost over the Dividing Ranges. It was a great sight. I had on old clothes and Archie the youngest (20) got me a horse and he and I went to bring in the cows for milking. We had a great canter through the paddocks to where the cows were, about a mile away." Archie was a farmer, living in Wamboota, Echuca, NSW, when he enlisted in the AIF on 23.2.1916. He trained at Castlemaine and Broadmeadows, before embarking for England and then France on 5.9.1916. Army records show he lost pay for appearing unshaven on parade.
The army sent a telegram to his sister Sybil Harvey “regret Private Archie Ferguson admitted hospital 12th February bronchitis will furnish progress reports.” He died 3 days later. The army returned his belongings to his sister, an identity disc, scissors, coins, pipe, money belt, letters, cigarette case, metal watch with a strap and case. They also sent her his war medals, after checking first with his oldest brother Fergus who should receive them. Archie was buried in Dernancourt communal cemetery by the Rev J W Grayson, although his sister Sybil wrote in 1920 to the army, “can you please tell me where my late brother was buried? I have never been heard where he was buried.” The inscription reads “Archie Hugh Ferguson, Private 1909A 46th Bn., Australian Infantry, A.I.F who died on Thursday 15th February 1917. Age 31.” A photo of his grave kept by his brother Fergus notes Archie was buried at Dernancourt.

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