The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Kenneth Morrison

Here's a little puzzle for you all.
The Dunscore Parish War Memorial in Dumfriesshire has:
JAMES S.E.G. FERGUSSON, 2ND LIEUT. MIDDLESEX REGT.

He was James Scott Elliot Gillon-Fergusson – age 30 – Lieutenant, 5th Battalion attached to the 3rd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment.
James had been living in British Columbia for some years and the web site for Duncan Cenotaph – Charles Hoey Park (near Victoria on Vancouver Island, British Columbia) has:
"As part of our effort to document the names on the Duncan Cenotaph in Charles Hoey Park, here is some information about Lieutenant James Scott Elliot Gillon-Fergusson, who was killed in action on 27 April 1915, aged 29, at Ypres.
Here is the local Cowichan Leader newspaper report of Lieutenant James Scott Elliot Gillon-Fergusson’s death:
“Two Cowichan Men Killed In Action
News has been received during this past week that two more men from Cowichan have laid down their lives in the great War. They are Lieutenant J. Gillon Ferguson, 3rd Middlesex Regiment, whose name has appeared in the lists, and Private James A. Childs, 7th Battalion, C.E.F., news of whose death at Ypres on April 24th last has come to hand.
Lieut, Fergusson was well known in Cowichan, both in business and in sport, and his loss is keenly felt. He went into the real estate business in Duncan some four years ago, first organizing the Country Estate office, and later entering into a partnership with Mr. F.D. Boyd, who now has a commission in the Ulster division. The firm of Fergusson and Boyd moved to Maple Bay about a year ago and continued business there together with starting the Beach store.
Mr. Fergusson was a member of the Duncan Board of Trade and had a number of investments in hand in the area. he was associated with the Maple Bay Aquatic Club from its inception and took great interest in all that pertained to shooting, tennis, motoring and boating.
He was 29 years of age and was educated at Loretto school, Edinburgh. He gained his commission when with the first contingent at Salbury, having joined the 50th Highlanders in Victoria. His elder brother, a lieutenant in the Black Watch, was killed early in the war.

He was born 1885 in Kirkmahoe, Dumfriesshire. A son of the late Joseph Gillon-Fergusson and of the late Edith Mary (Scott-Elliot) Gillon-Fergusson of Isle, Kirkmahoe
I don't see him on the Loretto Roll of Honour and who is his brother?????

Any ideas????????????
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Ken

spoons · Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2018 6:47 pm Post subject:

A mystery indeed.

He is not on the Loretto memorial. Being born in Kirkmahoe he should be on SNWM and he is not. CWGC states he is from 'Isle, Dumfriesshire' and I cannot find that. Could it be Islesteps? Not in De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour or on the Kirkmahoe memorial (or mentioned in the Kirkmahoe book that I can see).

There is a page about him on page 47 in Gladys Cuttle's book on the Dunscore war memorial (I can send you a scan if you don't have it).

As for his brother, a random guess would say he served with the Australians or Canadians.

\Paul

spoons · Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2018 6:53 pm Post subject:

D&G Standard 8th May 1915 states he died on 27th Apr, formerly of Isle, Holywood and had been living in British Columbia for some years.

So I think that Holywood, Dumfriesshire and Canada would be places to look next.

\Paul

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2018 10:22 am Post subject:

Thanks to a pal at the Great War Forum in the UK who found his attestation papers - James Gillon Ferguson (one "s") as Private (28616) attested for overseas service with the 16th Battalion (the Canadian Scottish) at Valcartier Camp, Quebec in September 1914.
All the personal details fit and he is on the list for "A" company on the battalion's nominal roll.
Another pal at the CEF Study Group tells me that the local militia regiment - the 50th (Gordon Highlanders) provided a company of men to the 16th Bn.

I think the family home was Isle Tower (officially was in KIrkmahoe Parish) which now seems to be a farm next door to the "Garden of Cosmic Specultaion"
(I kid you not!)
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Ken