Ferguson, Theodore William
No.528 – Corporal Theodore William Ferguson MM – 44th Battalion
Theodore William Ferguson was born in Fremantle WA in 1898 to Thomas and Charlotte Fergsuon. He was one of three children, with Mary born in 1896 and Gordon in 1901. Theo went to the local state school and was also a member of the cadets where he was appointed a 2nd Lieutenant.
The family had now moved to Midland Junction and Theo took up work as a Junior Mechanic. Aged just 18 he enlisted on the 7th January 1916. He was passed as fit with the medical examiner finding him to be 5 feet 8 inches tall; weight of 133 lbs; chest measurement of 36 ½ inches tall; fair complexion; grey eyes and brown hair. His religious denomination was the Salvation Army.
Theo was initially allotted to No.45 Depot, but on the 1st February 1916 he was allotted to “C” Company of the 44th Battalion AIF with the regimental no.528. He trained with the 44th Battalion at Claremont Camp until early June 1916. On the 6th June Theo, as a member of the 44th Battalion boarded the Transport Ship H.M.A.T. “Suevic” in Fremantle Harbour and set sail for England. After the long sea voyage they reached Plymouth Harbour on the 21st July 1916. The men were disembarked and marched into the 3rd Division Training Camp on the Salisbury Plains. They trained here until the end of November 1916, during which time they were also granted periods of leave to see the sights of England.
On the 25th November 1916 the 44th Battalion entrained for Southampton where they boarded the transport ship which took them across to France. Upon arrival they were sent to the region of Armentieres where they would gain their first front line experience. They would remain here through the remainder of 1916 and into 1917. On the 27th January 1917 Theo was admitted to the 10th Australian Field Ambulance with an ulcer on his right foot. His recovery took over two weeks and he returned to the 44th Battalion on the 13th February. On the 25th March 1917 Theo was sent to the 3rd Division School for a period of instruction on military matters, during which time he was appointed to Lance Corporal. He returned from the 3rd Division School on the 1st April 1917. During this time he was also an active member of the Battalion band.
The 44th Battalion were now in the Ploegsteert sector of Belgium near Messines where they would remain for the next several months. On the 28th May Theo was promoted to Corporal. The 44th Battalion were conducting Trench raids during this period in preparation for the upcoming Battle at Messines. On the 7th June 1917, 19 huge mines were detonated under the German lines which destroyed their front line in the area.
Therefore the 1st objectives were taken by the attacking troops quite quickly though the further they advanced the more German resistance they met. The 44th Battalion took part in capturing the later objectives and therefore met heavier resistance. During the Battle Theo was recommended for the Military Medal for a brave act for which unfortunately the recommendation for which no longer exists.
On June 19th, Theo wrote back home to his parents;
“My dear parents, the weather over here is lovely and warm now, quite a change from a little while back. We get a change of socks generally once a fortnight. As for real fighting its not too bad, although a bit strenuous while it lasts. You don’t want to start worrying before you hear of me being hit, and then not before I’m killed, because while there’s life there’s hope, and don’t forget I have God looking after me and if it isn’t his will for me to be hit I won’t get hit. I am doing well at my job here, in fact I have been recommended for good work in the last stunt. I don’t know if I will get anything out of it, but still I have the honour of being recommended. Tonight as I re-read Mum’s letter, I felt like rejoining the band where I would be comparatively safe, but I can’t bring myself to do it, because I think my job is where I am. I have several times been called all sort of fools for not joining the band, but still think I’m in my right place now so I am doing my bit still. I suppose you will think this a very uninteresting letter, but it is the best I can do, so you will have be satisfied.”
And to his Sister Mary,
“The idea of the trenches in Blackboy would not give you any conception of what these are really like, but still I shall be able to tell you all about it soon when I get home. Tell dad to buck up and hang on till I get home. Tell him I was lucky enough to come through last week alright, and also lucky to be recommended for something, but I don’t know If I shall get anything or not. All the senior NCO’s of my platoon were wounded by midday on the first day, so seeing as we had no officer, the job of platoon commander devolved on me, and I have had it for five days. We were out for a couple of days so I didn’t do too badly did I? Tell dad not to worry about me, I’m happy enough here. I had a photo taken yesterday that will prove it. I will probably be able to send it next mail.’
To his brother Gordon;
“Just a line to let you know I still think of you at times. I have not got much news for you, but I have tons to tell you when we meet. The last stunt we had was fairly lively. We went over about 1am and by just after dinner I was the senior in my platoon, and was platoon commander for the rest of the stunt and brought my platoon out of action when we were relieved, so you will see I had a solid time for a few days and I brought out 13 men in my platoon. Sergeant Bull was wounded in the neck alongside of me but we have heard from his since and he is doing well.”
The 44th Battalion continued to hold the line after the battle was over and suffered constant casualties due to shellfire. On around the 22nd June Theo learnt that he had been awarded the Military Medal. Two days later, on the evening of the 24th June, while in a front line trench to the left of Gapaard Avenue a ‘whizz bang’ shell came and exploded next to him, killing him instantly.
Theo was buried behind the line about 30 yards on the left of a communication trench called ‘Bowen Avenue’ with 2067 Private George Barr who had been killed by the same shell. They had small crosses put up to mark the spot at map reference 28.O.35.a.6.3.
(TMapper excerpt below)
Unfortunately, after the war the grave could not be located and so he is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres.
A Sergeant Lambert Greene, who was from North Fremantle, wrote to Theo’s parents;
“Dear Mr Ferguson, I have intended to write from day to day, but kept putting it off, trying to inform you how your son Theo was getting on. As his chum and bandmaster I have had more opportunities of studying him than anyone else, and although I am not exactly what may be termed a Christian I think I know what qualities are required to be one, and I believe that in thought, word and deed, Theo was one.
Well Mr Ferguson, I’m stuck, and here’s the truth. Theo was killed on Sunday evening, the 24th June. He with his company went out to occupy a position in front of our then existing front line, they succeeded, bombing out the Huns, and digging themselves in, forming a trench from shell hole to shell hole. Then a shell came, and Theo received his call, instantaneous I believe…He was well liked by all he came in contact with. He had no fear of death or anything else, and always did his duty cheerfully, and helped others in any way he could. I am enclosing a typed slip informing him that he had been previously awarded the Military Medal in Messines, and I should like to add that he won it more than once by his devotion to duty and zeal in carrying out any order entrusted to him. Our band wishes me to express to Theo’s father and mother, their sincere sympathy and to state that we have not only lost a valuable member but also a true friend to all of us.”
Lieutenant Lintott of the 44th Battalion also penned a long letter to Theo’s parents;
“It was at Messines where he made an undying name for himself. He was a tower of strength to the whole company, and conducted a daring reconnaissance down one of the uncaptured Boche trenches; it was for this he was awarded the Military Medal. He was later on attending to one of his wounded men when another shell fell just close to him and he was killed instantly and suffered no pain. He will never be forgotten by the Officers of C Company who looked up to him as one of the bravest, and had he been spared he undoubtedly would have been granted a commission. I myself have lost a great friend."
In 1919 his father had a plaque dedicated to Theo’s memory in Honour Avenue Kings Park Perth.