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Lt D McI Grant Ferguson, Castle Douglas

 
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spoons



Joined: 09 Jan 2007
Posts: 4991
Location: St John's Town of Dalry

PostPosted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 4:10 pm    Post subject: Lt D McI Grant Ferguson, Castle Douglas Reply with quote

UKNIWM Ref: 9028

This is one of 5 original Great War battlefield crosses, now memorials in St Ninian’s Episcopal Church, Castle Douglas at OS Map Ref: NX 765 619
Name: FERGUSON, DUNCAN MACINTYRE GRANT
Initials: D M G
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: King's Own Scottish Borderers
Unit Text: 3rd Bn.
Age: 21
Date of Death: 14/05/1915
Additional information: Son of Lily M. and the late Rev. John Grant Ferguson, of 41, Polwarth Terrace, Edinburgh.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: II. B. 45.
Cemetery: BOULOGNE EASTERN CEMETERY

Duncan (Grant) Ferguson’s connection with Castle Douglas is that he was studying agriculture at Lochdougan Farm, Castle Douglas prior to the outbreak of war and was well known in the area. It appears that his surname was actually GRANT FERGUSON as that was the name of both parents but is recorded as FERGUSON on his military records.

He was 3rd Bn but attached to 2nd Bn at the time of his death. He died on 14th May 1915 from wounds received at Hill 60 near St Julian (2nd battle of Ypres) on 5th May. His father, a minister, was from Innerleithen and his mother from Edinburgh. His name appears on the Innerleithen memorial but not on the Polwarth memorial in Edinburgh. He does not appear on any other war memorial in the Dumfries area, nor on the Stewartry Roll of Honour.



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dhubthaigh
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PostPosted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 4:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for posting these Spoons. Great pieces of history and I've been much interested seeing them - and all in one church?
Do you know the story behind them being brought back, by whom etc. Its quite amazing.

Mark
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DerekR
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PostPosted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 6:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

5 original grave markers in one location? Superb.
They really are becoming very important historical pieces.
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spoons



Joined: 09 Jan 2007
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Location: St John's Town of Dalry

PostPosted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 7:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

From the church book about the memorial (details here) http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=1914

This is abbreviated, fuller explanation in the book

"Many graves had been marked by a wooden cross at the time of burial, either by soldiers of the dea man's unit, or by burial parties established for this purpose (Greave Registration Units). With the installation of the new headstones the wooden crosses were removed and made available to families.

.......possibly due to the Revd. Baines, the Rector at this time, having been a Senior Chaplain on the Western Front..........

The original request to install a Cross was made to the Vestry in April 1920 by Mrs Wedderburn-Maxwell............."
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dhubthaigh
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PostPosted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 7:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Very, very interesting. Spoons, can I chip in a request for a booklet whenever you get back. It would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Mark
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spoons



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PostPosted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 7:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

dhubthaigh wrote:
Very, very interesting. Spoons, can I chip in a request for a booklet whenever you get back. It would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Mark

that's three requests received, yourself, Stewartry and the boss, anyone else? (best £1 I've ever spent)
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dhubthaigh
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PostPosted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 7:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

These grave markers have really taken my interest. Here is a link to an article in Hellfire Corner where a chap has made a register of where they are to be found in UK & Ireland. There are two others so far identified in Scotland, in Stirling & Inverness;
http://www.fylde.demon.co.uk/crosses.htm

And thanks for responding spoons.
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spoons



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PostPosted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 7:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

dhubthaigh wrote:
These grave markers have really taken my interest. Here is a link to an article in Hellfire Corner where a chap has made a register of where they are to be found in UK & Ireland. There are two others so far identified in Scotland, in Stirling & Inverness;
http://www.fylde.demon.co.uk/crosses.htm

And thanks for responding spoons.


Thanks for the info, I have mailed the site and pointed them at our postings to use as they see fit.

I suspect that the one listed for Winchester is a disputed cross in the cathedral (near the entrance to the crypt) which is sometimes claimed to be too small and of the wrong pattern to be a battlefield cross. (sorry, off-topic for a moment here) but having now seen genuine ones, I think the Winchester one is not quite right somehow.

\Paul
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spoons



Joined: 09 Jan 2007
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Location: St John's Town of Dalry

PostPosted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 7:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

dhubthaigh wrote:
These grave markers have really taken my interest. Here is a link to an article in Hellfire Corner where a chap has made a register of where they are to be found in UK & Ireland. There are two others so far identified in Scotland, in Stirling & Inverness;
http://www.fylde.demon.co.uk/crosses.htm

Just had my mail to the link on this page bounced - anyone got an up to date email for Phil Curme or anyone else connected with this?


Last edited by spoons on Mon Nov 26, 2007 2:38 pm; edited 2 times in total
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spoons



Joined: 09 Jan 2007
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 2:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

spoons wrote:

I suspect that the one listed for Winchester is a disputed cross in the cathedral (near the entrance to the crypt) which is sometimes claimed to be too small and of the wrong pattern to be a battlefield cross. (sorry, off-topic for a moment here) but having now seen genuine ones, I think the Winchester one is not quite right somehow.

\Paul


Done a bit more research and the 'problem' with the battlefield cross in Winchester. The problem is that it is for someone (Lt Val Braithwaite) whose body was never found, therefore it was a battlefield memorial! Just thought I would mention it so that others would need to check if any particular cross marked a grave or was just a memorial in the assumed general area of the death. I have checked for all 5 crosses in this church and all of the soldiers have a known resting place.


Last edited by spoons on Mon Nov 26, 2007 2:38 pm; edited 1 time in total
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dhubthaigh
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 2:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Spoons,

Is this church open at all times? I would like, SOMETIME, to pop down and see these crosses in person

Mark
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spoons



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Location: St John's Town of Dalry

PostPosted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 6:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

dhubthaigh wrote:
Spoons,

Is this church open at all times? I would like, SOMETIME, to pop down and see these crosses in person

Mark

The minister told me that it is open in daylight hours, but not sure exactly the times. If you want to attend or avoid the services, details are here http://www.castledouglas.net/dbContent/community/communityDetails.asp?EntryID=82

\Paul
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