Roll of Honour
Captain
Fritz Eberhard Ferguson
Military Cross
Student
Fritz Eberhard Ferguson was born on the 8th March 1895, in Thirsk, Yorkshire and was the son of Alfred Cromwell - a doctor - and Elizabeth. Fritz's mother was German, and his name was likely a tribute to her heritage. Fritz was educated at St Peter's School in York, where he was captain of the school football and gymnastics teams. He was awarded sporting honours in Rugby and Rowing in his final years of school.
Fritz matriculated at the University of Glasgow in 1912, enrolling as a Medical student. In his first year he studied Biology, Natural Philosophy, and Zoology, followed in his second year with classes in Chemistry, Anatomy, and Physiology. The outbreak of war prevented Fritz from completing his studies.
When war broke out, Fritz was among the first to join the army, and was made a Second Lieutentant of the West Yorkshire Regiment on the 15th August 1914. He served for over three years with the West Yorkshire Regiment on the Western Front, before joining the Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides Infantry, and serving in India. He was awarded the Military Cross in early 1918, for "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty" - "he commanded the leading company of the battalion, and by his energetic and gallant leading the objective was captured with little loss, his company's battle patrol clearing the woods in front of snipers. The operation in this sector resulted in the capture of five guns and seventy-three prisoners".
In October 1919, Fritz was leading a mixed company of 3rd Bn Corps of Guides in a column under the command of Major Bostock. His column were ambushed near Kaur Bridge, and Captain Fritz Eberhard Ferguson was killed in the fighting in Manghi, Waziristan on the 7th October 1919. He is remembered in the University of Glasgow Memorial Chapel, and on a Memorial Tablet in Thirsk Parish Church which was dedicated specifically in his memory.
Comments and Citations
University of Glasgow Registry Records
London Gazette