Private David Ferguson

Private David Ferguson 4th/5th ( Territorial ) Battalion, Black Watch. He died from wounds in France, aged 20, on the 30th July 1918. He was the son of Daniel and Mrs M. Ferguson of Borthwick Shiels, Roberton and is buried in the Senlis French National Cemetery, Senlis, France. ( His brother James also died during the War ). He had enlisted ( underage ) in November 1914 and had gone to France in May 1915. He was wounded during the Battle of Loos and later fought in the Battle of the Somme, was wounded for a second time. He returned to France in August 1917 and was wounded for the third time on the 28th July 1918. It is likely he was wounded in the attack on Buzancy which was carried out in conjunction with French troops. The Black Watch together with the 8th Seaforth Highlanders took their objectives but the French failed to advance thus exposing a flank. The Scots therefore had to retire to avoid being cut off. Casualties were 2 Officers and 41 Other Ranks killed and 8 Officers and 211 Other Ranks wounded. In addition i Officer and 31 Other Ranks were posted missing. The French erected a monument to the Scots on the field of Battle, the only time this was done for a British formation during the War