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1st/5th Battalion Gordon Highlanders

Robert William Ferguson

Robert William Ferguson: 2nd Lieutenant, 5th Battalion Gordon Highlanders was the son of Alexander Ferguson, a house painter. He was born at Peterhead on 20th October, 1887 and educated at Peterhead Academy. He entered Aberdeen University in 1905 and graduated M.A. with honours in Mathematics in 1909 and B.Sc. in 1910.

He was a keen student of nature and took a special course of Botany at Oxford University, and had gathered much valuable material concerning the Flora of Banffshire with a view to publication.

He proved himself a successful teacher, doing work at Aberlour, Nairn and Sharpe’s Institute, Perth. He took up the Boy Scout movement with great enthusiasm and was popular with both parents and pupils.

In April 1915 he enlisted in his old College Company, the 4th Gordon Highlanders, and was later commissioned in the 5th Battalion and thereafter was appointed Musketry Officer.

Ferguson went through his training at Aberdeen, Peterhead and Ripon and crossed to France in 1916. He took part in the early Somme Battles and was killed in action at Beaumont Hamel, 13 November 1916.

He is buried at Hawthorn Ridge Cemetery, No. 2, Auchonvillers, Row B, Grave 60.

Aberdeen University Book of Remembrance

From The Buchan Observer 21st November 1916:

Peterhead - Mr Alex Ferguson, 62 Queen Street has received information that his youngest son was wounded in action on 13th inst. No further information has been received as to the extent of injuries. Lieutenant Ferguson graduated M,A , B.Sc. at Aberdeen University and prior to joining the Gordon Highlanders was mathematical master at Sharpe's Institute, Perth.

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Carolyn Morrisey