Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Great War observer’s M.C. group of three awarded to Lieutenant W. B. Ferguson, Royal Air Force, late Royal Flying Corps, a Canadian who was decorated for numerous acts of bravery in No. 6 Squadron in the summer of 1917, prior to his death in a flying accident in July 1918: credited with shooting down at least two enemy aircraft - on one occasion mid-combat he climbed on to his aircraft’s wing to clear his pilot’s jammed gun - he otherwise distinguished himself on low-level spotting and strafing sorties, regularly returning to base in a shot up aircraft

Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse privately engraved, ‘1093151 Lieut. W. B. Ferguson, R.F.C., 19 November 1917’; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. W. B. Ferguson), the last with officially re-impressed naming, good very fine (3)
£1400-1600

M.C. London Gazette 19 November 1917:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. he has continuously done valuable work in locating targets and ranging and observing artillery fire, and was responsible on several occasions for the destruction of hostile batteries by our artillery. he successfully took part in several aerial combats while engaged in this work, and showed great initiative and determination throughout.’

As confirmed by official records (ref. T.N.A AIR 1/1282/204/10/46), Ferguson was recommended for gallant deeds on several occasions, commencing with a submission made to H.Q. No. 2 Wing, R.F.C. by the C.O. of No. 6 Squadron on 21 September 1917:

‘I have the honour to call to your notice the conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty of Lieutenant William Bruce Ferguson, Canadian Pioneers and Royal Flying Corps.

This officer on 20 September 1917 carried out two reliable contact patrols between 1,000 and 500 feet, in each case securing very valuable information. He attacked and scattered a party of Germans from 500 feet and two, who were seen to fall, were still lying there ten minutes later.

Today he has already carried out two special low reconnaissances of great importance, and obtained results by 7.15 a.m. materially affecting the attack by 41st Division at 9.30 a.m.

He accurately located over 300 Germans in the redoubt holding up the advance, and a concrete dugout, attacked the enemy from 100 feet with machine-gun fire, and only desisted when his elevator controls were cut by rifle fire. Immediately after landing he made his report and ascended again in another machine.

From among his numerous earlier instances of gallantry and resource, I would call to your notice those detailed in my Squadron record Book under dates August 16th, 18th and 22nd, and September 13th.

He has almost certainly destroyed two German machines.’

This was followed by another report dated 22 September 1917 from the Lieutenant-Colonel commanding No.2 Wing to Headquarters, 2 Brigade, Royal Flying Corps:

‘I bring forward for your consideration for award the name of Lieutenant William Bruce Ferguson, 1st Canadian Pioneers and Royal Flying Corps, for gallantry and skill as observer, with special reference to his observation of bombardment previous to attack day on 20th September, and his contact patrol reports on 20th and 21st September. The following are outstanding features of useful work during the battle:

20 September 1917: Two contact patrols with detailed reports on landing: height 1,000 -500 feet during barrage, observing a concentration of Germans and fearing that the advance would get held up at this point he used his machine-gun and dispersed them.

21 September 1918: The 41st Division were to attack at 9.30 a.m. He reconnoitred the position at daybreak and found the enemy trenches strongly held, and estimated a force of 300 Germans formed up at 28.J.21.c to J.26.d. Fearing they would attack before 41st Division was ready, he descended to 100 feet and traversed the redoubt, dugouts and trench which was holding up our advance and by 7.15 was in possession of details of defences and strength of enemy, which he dropped on a map to 41st Division, and reported verbally to General Staff. He returned owing to his rudder controls having been shot away. After reporting he took a fresh machine ten minutes later and directed a barrage on the threatened point, flying behind the barrage at 2,000 feet for 1 1/4 hours.

Since joining No. 6 Squadron he has been consistently successful in artillery work, the following being examples:

13 August 1917: Ranged four heavy batteries on different trench targets, observing 90 rounds for 3 1/4 hours.

16 August 1917: While on C.B. [counter battery] patrol, he neutralized two active hostile batteries and sent five zone calls. He was then attacked by seven Albatross Scouts, one of which was seen to crash by an independent witness.

17 August 1917: With 221st Siege Battery he obtained 2 O.Ks and 12 M.O.Ks on hostile battery. The target was completely obliterated.

18 August 1917: While on artillery work he engaged two enemy two-seaters working over our trenches, drove them away, and afterwards brought off a successful shoot.

23 August 1917: Successful trench bombardment. Combat with enemy two-seater. Climbed along wing to right pilot's gun which had jammed.

14 September 1917: In adverse weather he ranged 183rd, 219th, 276th and 298th Siege Batteries on to four different targets, observing 170 rounds.

17 September 1917: He ranged a 15-inch howitzer, a 6-inch Mark VII, a battery of 9.2-inch howitzers and a battery of 8-inch howitzers on to four different targets giving 111 observations.

He has shown throughout an example of gallantry combined with a great offensive spirit and resource.’

On 13 October 1917 the Commanding Officer, No. 6 Squadron wrote again to the Officer Commanding, 2 Wing, Royal Flying Corps. Although he refers to a letter of 29 September, this is not available and may be a mistaken reference to the communication of 21 September. Be that as it may:

‘Further to my letter of 29 September 1917, I wish again to bring to your notice Lieutenant William Bruce Ferguson, Canadian Pioneers, for gallantry, skill and devotion to duty. He has carried out the following Contact Patrols, flying at extremely low altitudes, and obtaining very valuable information in each case:

( 1) 5 October 1917 -height 500 feet.
( 2 ) 6 October 191 7 -height 500 feet.
( 3) 9 October 1917 -height 700 feet.

On 3 October 1917 he successfully ranged three batteries on trench points from 1,000 -1,500 feet.

On 11 October 1917 he carried out a successful knock-out shoot from 1,800 feet, after all other machines had returned owing to weather conditions.

In addition he has carried out 12 successful trench bombardments during the period under review.’

The Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding, 2 Wing, wrote on 14 October 1917 to Headquarters, 2nd Brigade, Royal Flying Corps:

‘Xth Corps and No. 6 Squadron have been almost continuously in the heavy fighting since June, and for want of ground observation the calls on the squadron have been unusually heavy. Certain officers have borne the brunt of the fighting and been consistently successful. I forward the names of two who are deserving of immediate award:

Lieutenant William Bruce Ferguson, Canadian Pioneers, O.F.O., 6 Squadron. This officer was brought to your notice in May A.11/274 of 22 September 1917, a copy of which is attached.

Between 29 September 1917 and present he has observed for 16 successful shoots under bad weather conditions, notably on 11th instant when he carried out a knock-out shoot with 34th 9.2-inch Siege [Battery] on a hostile battery from a height of 1,800 feet after all other machines had returned owing to bad weather. He gave 20 observations and a fire was caused.

Between 5th and 9th October he carried out three contact patrols at a height of 500-700 feet, obtaining valuable information and locating our infantry.’

William Bruce Ferguson was born in Ameliasberg, Ontario, Canada in August 1896, where he was a farmer prior to enlisting in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force. Gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st Canadian Pioneer Battalion in August 1916, he went on to serve in 9 Canadian Railway Troop in France before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps in early 1917.

Having them qualified as an Observer, he was posted to No. 6 Squadron in May 1917, in which capacity, as cited above, he quickly distinguished himself. One of his successful air-to-air combats took place on 16 August, when he and his pilot, 2nd Lieutenant G. Nicolas, were attacked in their R.E. 8 by five enemy machines while employed on counter-battery work. Ferguson’s return fire accounted for one of the enemy aircraft and, with the assistance of a Spad which arrived on the scene, the remaining four were driven off.

Returning to the U.K. in early 1918 on the completion of his operational tour, Ferguson joined No. 198 (Night) Training Squadron but he drowned after the aircraft in which he was a passenger plummeted into the River Thames on 7 July 1918.

Sold with an original wartime portrait photograph, the card mount inscribed in ink by the recipient, ‘Love to all, Bruce, 1/12/17’; together with copied research, including images of his Buckingham Palace memorial scroll, death certificate and grave.