Profile

Ruthless

D.S.O.                        M.C.

Name: Fergusson M.A.[D.S.O. M.I.D.]
Service No: VX23
Rank: Brig.
Unit:6 Div Cav

Brief History

Served WW1. 3rd. battery AFA rising to the rank of lieutenant 4th. division Artillery. Awarded MC and mentioned in Haig's dispatches (see anecdote: Incident at Messines-Wyschaete) . See story of  in the Militia in 1926-32  as Major of Artillery Battery at Albury NSW.And again from 1936, Fergusson was given command of the 8th (Indi) Light Horse Regiment and promoted lieutenant colonel in 1939. He was seconded to the A.I.F. and took command of the 6th Divisional Reconnaissance (later Cavalry) Regiment on 13 October. 'A man who spoke only when necessary, and then forcefully', he was nicknamed 'Ruthless' after telling his troops that he would be ruthless with any soldier who appeared incorrectly dressed. He was firm and austere, trained the unit well, and set high standards of personal conduct and technical efficiency. The regiment reached the Middle East in February 1940. On 9 March 1941 Fergusson was seriously wounded in the siege of the Italian stronghold of Giarabub, Libya, Was given up for dead, but refused to succumb and was repatriated in June. For his services in Cyrenaica, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and mentioned in dispatches. After 25 years Army service, his military career concluded as Brigadier commanding 8th. Infantry Brigade in Wewak NG area. Two sons VX6545 Fergusson T.St.D.F.(Terry) and VX20665 Fergusson D.S.F.(Derek). both served under his command in the Middle East.

THIS SERVICE RECORD COPIED FROM A.W.M. Nominal rolls WW2

National Archives Reference

INDOMITABLE RUTHLESS, EVEN AT EASE HE ALMOST SAT TO ATTENTION