Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘Capture of Le Quesnoy’ D.C.M. awarded to Private W. Ferguson, 2nd Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, attached 3rd Light Trench Mortar Battery, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, who was also twice wounded during the course of the war - 7 June 1917 and 23 August 1918

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (24-1983 Pte W. Ferguson. 2/N.Z. Rif: Bde.) good very fine £700-£900

D.C.M. London Gazette 30 May 1919. The original recommendation states:

‘For conspicuous gallantry in front of Le Quesnoy. On 1st November, 1918, under heavy fire, he kept his gun in action, thus frustrating an attempted enemy raid on an advanced post. On 4th November, an enemy machine gun having held up the advance, he got his gun into action and destroyed the machine gun, thereby enabling the advance to continue, and causing the capture of thirty prisoners.’

William Ferguson was born in Lawrence, New Zealand in March 1885. He was employed as Fireman prior to the Great War, and attested for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in November 1915. Ferguson served in the Egyptian theatre of war and on the Western Front with the 4th and 2nd Battalions of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade. Ferguson was twice wounded in action - 7 June 1917 and 23 August 1918.

Ferguson was attached to the 3rd Light Trench Mortar Battery for the award of his D.C.M., which was awarded for his part in the capture of Le Quesnoy - the last major engagement of the war for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Ferguson returned to New Zealand in May 1919, and was discharged, 6 June 1919. He died in Wellington, 5 August 1933.

Sold with copied research.