20133 Rifleman David Harvey Ferguson
D Company 1st Battalion
3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
6th December 1917
Born on 07/03/1896 in Bangor County Down Ireland. His parents were John Ferguson(born in 1874) and
Elizabeth McCombe(1874-13/09/1925). They were married on 03/10/1895.
David had 4 sisters, Isobel(born in 1898), Florence(born in 1902), Marguerite(born on 25/03/1905) and
Norah(28/05/1908-22/06/1993).
In the 1911 Irish Census, the family were recorded as living at 48 Princetown Road, Bangor County Down, Ireland. John was employed as a carpenter.
Around July 1915, David made the decision to emigrate to New Zealand and moved to Wellington. Having previously worked for Mr A, Millsopp , a grocer on Main Street Bangor, David was able to find employment as a grocers assistant with E. Bolton in Oriental Bay, Wellington, whilst living at 40 Coromandel Street, Wellington.
It was less than a year later on 01/05/1916 that David enlisted into the New Zealand Army., having previously had a medical in Wellington on 26/04/1916, details as follows;
Declared Age- 20 years 1 Month
Trade or Occupation - Grocers Assistant
Height - 5ft 6 3/4 inches , Weight - 127lbs
Chest Measurement - Minimum - 34 inches, Maximum - 36 1/2 inches
Complexion - Fair, Colour of Eyes - Blue, Colour of Hair - Light Brown
Religious Profession - Church of England
Distinctive Marks - cut across right thumb.
At Trentham Camp, David was posted to F Company 16th Reinforcements. Whilst he was still training, David was found guilty of using obscene language to an N.C.O. on 22/06/1916 and given 3 days confined to barracks as a punishment.
With his training complete, David was sent to England on 19/08/1916, embarking aboard the Troopship Aparima from Wellington. It wasn't until 25/10/1916 that he was able to dis-embark from the ship in Devonport England, before being marched to Sling Camp, Salisbury Plain the same day.
He stayed at Sling until he departed for France on 15/11/1916, marching into Etaples Camp ,France the next day.
He joined 3rd Battalion 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade in the field on 07/12/1916 and was posted to D Company.
David stayed with his new company until 01/05/1917, when he was detached to duty as a baggage guard, which he performed until he returned to his unit on 27/06/1917.
On 21/10/1917 he was given leave to the UK, returning to his Battalion on 10/11/1917.
David was killed in action on 06/12/1917.
He was awarded the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.
North Down Herald and County Down Independent – Friday 28 December 1917
Military Notes
Local Casualties and Promotions.
Mr John Ferguson, 17 Queen’s Parade, Bangor, has been notified that his only son, Private David Harvey Ferguson, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, was killed in action on the 6th inst. Deceased, who was 21 years of age, served time in the grocery business with Mr. A. Millsopp, Main Street. He was a popular member of the Boy Scout, the Boys’ Brigade, and a squad leader in the U.V.F.(Ulster Volunteer Force) under Mr. Samuel Coulter. Two and a half years ago he emigrated to far off New Zealand and was there only a month or so when the call of the Mother country came to him with irresistible force so that he joined the New Zealand Forces, and after some preliminary training sailed for the fighting zone. His death will be greatly regretted in Bangor and District, and the greatest sympathy will be felt with Mr. and Mrs. Furguson in the loss of this, their only son.