9th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
24/03/1897
Died:
14/10/1918 (Killed in Action)
Age:
21
Summary
Edward Ferguson was the son of Michael and Elizabeth Ferguson. He was born in the Moneymore area on 24th March 1897. He was one of eleven children. By 1911, he had left school and working as a mill worker. Edward enlisted in Greenock, Scotland where he was working during the First World War. Private Edward Ferguson was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers. He is thought to have been killed during an attack on the Terhand-Kezelberg area on 14th October 1918.
Further Information
Edward Ferguson was the son of Michael and Elizabeth Ferguson. Michael Ferguson and Elizabeth McNally were married on 14th December 1888 in the district of Cookstown.
Edward Ferguson was born in the Moneymore area on 24th March 1897. He was one of eleven children, ten surviving.
The 1901 census lists Edward as age 4 living with the family at house 11 in Moneyhaw, Londonderry. His father, Michael Ferguson, was a farm labourer.
The 1911 census lists Edward as age 14 living with the family at house 3 in Church Street, Cookstown. He had left school and working as a mill worker.
Family: Michael Ferguson, Elizabeth Ferguson, Joseph Ferguson (born about 1888), James Ferguson (born 6th October 1889), Mary Anne Ferguson (born 23rd June 1891), Elizabeth Ferguson (born 8th June 1893, died 30th December 1893), Margaret Ferguson (born 20th December 1894), Edward Ferguson (born 24th March 1897), Elizabeth Ferguson (born 5th December 1898), Martha Ferguson (born 7th May 1900), Sarah Ferguson (born 21st April 1902), Catherine Ferguson (born 9th May 1904).
Edward Ferguson enlisted in Greenock, Scotland where he was working during the First World War. He was recorded as living in Cookstown at the time.
Private Edward Ferguson was serving with the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers. He is thought to have been killed during an attack on the Terhand-Kezelberg area on 14th October 1918. At 5.35am the attack began under a very heavy artillery barrage.
When the war was over and the cemeteries were being put in place, Edward’s family were asked if they would like to have a personal inscription added to the headstone. They chose ‘May He Rest in Peace’.
Last Will and Testament of Private Edward Ferguson dated 10th August 1918:
In the event of my death I leave all that belongs to me to my mother, Mrs L Ferguson, Church Street, Cookstown, County Tyrone, Ireland. Private E Ferguson, 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers, 27534. Dated 10th August 1918
Private Edward Ferguson is buried in Dadizeele New British Cemetery, Belgium.
The CWGC record Private Edward Ferguson as the son of Michael and Elizabeth Ferguson, of New Cottages, Coolanfranky, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone.
