Entry in the enlistment records Book G13 Folio 82

William Fergusson, Private 3855, Fathers name James Fergusson of Oakfield House, Muthill.

Attested in Glasgow 25/8/1914 at the age of 28 years and 4 months and was employed as a draughtsman. He is noted as enlisting on the same day. Also noted as having previous service with the Scottish Horse. Born in Muthill and a Presbyterian.

He was wounded on 3/9/1915 and was admitted to hospital in Malta on 10/9/1915 with a gun shot wound to the right hand (Casualty list 26) He died of dysentery on 2/11/1915 (Casualty list 130)

 

From the history of the regiment it can be found that the First Regiment of The Scottish Horse landed at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli  on the 31st August 1915. It appears that William was wounded after 3 days at the front and must have contracted dysentery either at the hospital or en route to the hospital in Malta, where he died only 3 months after arriving at the front.

 

The entry in the Book of Remembrance in Dunkeld Cathedral reads:-

Ferguson William, Pte 3855 born Muthill, Perthshire, died Malta 2-11-15

 

Strathearn Herald 13th November 1915

THE LATE TROOPER FERGUSON

The news of the death of Trooper William Ferguson, 1st Scottish Horse, from dysentery at Malta, was received throughout the district with deep regret. Deceased was 33 years of age. For some time he assisted his father in his business as a joiner here, and a few years ago attended the Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College classes for the study of building construction, and in that respect proved himself a diligent student, finally gaining an appointment as Master of Works with Messers Barr & Straud, Limited, Glasgow. The letters written to his father since he went abroad have all been characteristic of the happy and cheerful spirit of the deceased. He was a fine baritone singer – The following reference, furnished by the Session Clerk, was read from the pulpit of the Parish Church on Sunday by the Rev. T. Stobo Glen, who occupied the pulpit;- “It is with much regret that we have today to refer to the death, on the 2nd inst., of William Ferguson, youngest son of Mr. Ferguson, joiner. The deceased held a good position in the firm of Barr & Straud Ltd., Glasgow, and on the commencement of hostilities was among the first of the young men to volunteer for active service, and was complimented by the head of the firm for his quick response. For some time previous he was a member of the Scottish Horse. Having been wounded in Gallipoli, and while recovering in a convalescent home at Malta, he was seized with dysentery, and died as above stated. The deceased was a young man of high promise and undoubted ability, and our sympathies go out to his father and other relatives in this time of their bereavement and sorrow.

Alexander Black