SAPPER ARTHUR FERGUSON
3296 – 1st Tunnelling Company / 26th Battalion
Arthur Ferguson was born in Sydney, NSW in 1888 the son of Robert and Eliza Ferguson.
He applied to enlist at Innisfail, North Queensland and attested in Townsville on February 12, 1916 passing the medical examination. Information supplied shows he was twenty-seven years of age, unmarried and was 173cms (5ft 8ins) tall, weighed 50.9kgs (112lbs) with a chest expansion of 79-84cms (31-33ins). Fair in complexion with his blue eyes testing to good vision and had fair hair. Church of England was his religion. Next-of-kin was his father Robert Ferguson of 13 Beaufort Street, Strawberry Hills, Sydney, NSW. He signed and took ‘The Oath’ the same day.
At Enoggera camp Brisbane, Qld on February 16, 1916 Private Ferguson commenced basic training with the 11th Depot Battalion until March 22 when he was transferred to the Miners’ Depot (1st Military District)
The recruits formed part of the No. 4 Company which embarked from Brisbane, Qld early in May, 1916 aboard HMAT A69 Warilda for Sydney, NSW. Six officers and 152 other ranks together with the 1st Reinforcements of fifteen other ranks made up the two sections.
At Rosebery Park, Sydney, NSW on May 10, 1916 they joined their Headquarters and two sections (8 officers & 153 O.Rs.) plus 1st Reinforcements consisting of one officer and seventeen other ranks for final training. The rank of Sapper and the Regimental number 3296 in No 4 Company was assigned to him.
The 7713-ton transport departed Sydney, NSW on May 22, 1916 and collected in Melbourne, Victoria the No. 5 Company recruited from Victoria, South Aust. & Tasmania made up of Headquarters and 2 Sections (8 officers & 173 men) (3 M.D.). 1 Section from Tasmania (3 officers & 76 O.Rs); also 1st Reinforcements for No. 5 Company (17 men from Vic. & 8 men Tas.) The ship departed on May 25, 1916 for Adelaide, S.A. to collect one Section of 3 officers & 76 O.Rs with 1st Reinforcements of 8 O.Rs.
Docking at Fremantle, W.A. on June 1, 1916 added No. 6 Company recruited from W.A. of 14 officers and 325 O.Rs along with 1st Reinforcements of 1 Officer & 32 O.Rs departing the same day.
Durban, South Africa was reached on June 16, 1916 and Cape Town on June 21, 1916 while St Vincent completed the African ports of call on July 7, 1916. Discipline was fairly good except at intermediate ports where Away without Leave caused concern. The fifty-eight day voyage experienced remarkable pleasant weather terminating at Plymouth, England on July 18, 1916. Four, Five and Six Companies comprising of 1064 officers and other ranks were detrained to Amesbury and Tidworth to begin training for the front at Parkhouse camp.
During August, 1916 the following Offences were dealt with:
Offence:Absent without leave and out of bounds
Award:14 days C.B. [confined to barracks] with 7 days punishment drill.
Forfeiture:4 days pay 4/8/16
Disobedience of standing orders
Award:10 days C.B. 13/8/16
On September 22, 1916 the Reinforcements proceeded overseas to France and four days later marched into the Aust General Base Depot at Etaples.
Sapper Ferguson marched out on November 21, 1916 and was taken on strength in the field on November 23.
He went sick to the 10th Casualty Clearing Station with Pyrexia (Fever) on January 10, 1917 and transferred to the Divisional Rest Station but on January 18 went to the 32nd Stationary Hospital at Wimereux with Influenza which later developed to Bronchitis. He was conveyed on the hospital ship Jan Breydal from Boulogne on January 26 to England and admitted to the Horton County of London Hospital with bronchitis a day later.
On February 19, 1917 was released to Furlough until March 3 and report to Perham Down’s camp.
Military discipline took place on April 9, 1917 for the following:
Offence:Perham Downs 9/4/17 Insolence to his superior officer
Award:5 days F.P. No. 2 [Field Punishment] by Lt-Col Knox 10/4/17
Went to the Hardening and Drafting Depot on April 14 and two days later marched out to camp Headquarters at Perham Downs.
Marched out from the Aust Details camps Nos 4 & 5 and proceeded overseas via Folkstone on May 9 arriving at the A.G.B.D. in Etaples the next day rejoining his unit on May 17, 1917.
Blue Chevrons were issued to wear on his uniform after twelve months service.
Admitted to the 15th Field Ambulance on February 21, 1918 with Influenza and transferred to Divisional Rest Station. He entered the 8th Field Ambulance on February 25 and moved to the 1st Aust C.C.S. then conveyed on Aust. Train the next day to St Omer entering the 7th General Hospital with Debility.
On April 11, 1918 was sent to the 7th Convalescent Depot in Boulogne then to the 10th Conv. Depot arriving at the Aust Corps Depot on April 28. On May 5 Sapper was transferred to Base Depot “A” in Rouelles.
The day before the following took place:
Crime:W.O.A.S. (1) Being in town without a pass contrary to B.S.O. 27 (3)
A.W.L. 9.45 p.m. 20/5/18 until apprehended by M.P. about 7.15 a.m.
21/5/18
Award:14 days C.C.
Forfeits:14 days pay by C.O. A.G.B.D.
Total forfeiture:15 days.
On May 31, 1918 he left to rejoin his unit and arrived on June 6, 1918.
He returned to the A.G.B.D. in Rouelles on September 10, 1918. A Field General Court Martial was held at Havre on September 28, 1918 with the following charged to him:
Charge:W.O.A.S. Striking his superior officer (C.S.M. R.C. Tredrea) on 13/9/18
(2) W.O.A.S. using insubordinate language to his superior officer (C.S.M.
W.J. Murphy 13/9/18
Finding:Guilty.
Sentence:To be imprisoned with hard labour for two years 23/9/18
Confirmed:Brigadier-General J.C. Nicholson Base Commandant, Havre 23/9/18
Promulgated:25/9/18
Period under charge:14/9/18 to 22/9/18 (9 days)
Forfeiture:23/9/18 to 25/9/18
Case investigated by:C.O. 14/9/18
On October 5, 1918 a Suspension of Sentence (2yrs Hard Labour) took place at the A.I.G.B. and he was marched out on October 8 and transferred to the 26th Battalion on October 10 being taken on strength the same day.
He was with his unit when Peace was declared and they remained as part of the Army of Occupation.
Proceeded on English Leave on December 30, 1918 and was in England from January 3 to January 17 and rejoined the Battalion on January 20, 1919.
On March 12, 1919 he proceeded to Base to prepare for a return to England and marched out on March 25 crossing the English Channel and marched in to Weymouth camp a day later.
The H.T. Ypiranga departed England on May 15, 1919 for the voyage to Australia with Private Ferguson on board. His father was advised by Base Records in June, 1919 that he was on his way home. The ship arrived on July 6, 1919 in Brisbane, Qld (1st M.D.)
A full list of soldiers returning was published in The Queenslander on Saturday July 5, 1919:
Military Discharge took place in Sydney, NSW (2nd M.D.) on August 21, 1919 on the termination of his period of enlistment.
For serving his country Sapper / Private 3296 Arthur Ferguson, 1st Tunnelling Company / 26th Battalion was issued with the British War Medal (46401) and the Victory Medal (45328).
Proceedings of the Field General Court Martial (1845) were filed on July 27, 1920 with the Attorney General’s Office.
On December 2, 1935 Arthur applied for a Duplicate Discharge and filed a Statutory Declaration declaring that his original certificate had been ‘possibly destroyed accidentally.’ A duplicate was issued on December 5, 1935.
A Statement of Service was issued to the Repatriation Commission in Sydney on April 14, 1936.
Arthur Ferguson died in 1938 aged 50 years and his death was registered at Randwick, NSW.
© Donna Baldey 2011