Pte
Archibald Ferguson

Information about birth

Army information

Country:
England, United Kingdom
Force:
British Expeditionary Force
Rank:
Private
Service number:
334274
Units:
 —  Highland Light Infantry, 1/9th Bn. (Glasgow Highland)  (Last known unit)

Information about death

Date of death:
26/09/1917
Place of death:
Veldhoek, Geluveld, Belgium
Cause of death:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)

Cemetery

Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood
Plot: IX
Row: A
Grave: 15

Distinctions and medals 2

Points of interest 2

#1 Place of birth
#2 Place of death (approximate)

My story

Private Archibald Ferguson served in the Highland Light Infantry 1st/9th Battalion, part of the 100th Brigade, of the 33rd Division.

The 33rd Division participated in the Battle of Polygon Wood (26 September – 3 October), a phase Third Battle of Ypres. The Division relieved the 23rd Division in the frontline, between Polygon Wood and the Menin Road, on the 25th of September.

The 98th Brigade was on the left flank of the divisional front, just south of Polygon Wood, and the 100th Brigade was positioned on the right flank near the hamlet of Veldhoek. They had to advance in the direction of Polderhoek. At 5.30 a.m. the 1st Queen’s and a part of the 1st/9th Highland Light Infantry were driven back by a German attack. At 9 a.m. a company of the Queen’s and the 1st/9th Highland Light Infantry managed to retake part of the lost ground.

On the 26th the 33rd Division attacked with the 98th Brigade covering the right flank of the Australians, who advanced through Polygon Wood. The 100th Brigade had to recover the ground, which they had lost the previous day. It’s attack on the 26th was carried by the 1st Queen’s in the lead and the 1st/9th Highland Light Infantry, in support. At 5.50 a.m. the 1st Queen’s advanced, in conjunction with the 39th Division on their right. The Queen’s attack was checked 50 yards short of their objective. A German strongpoint armed with machine guns halted the advance and no further progress could be made as the left flank was in the air.

Consequently the 1st Queen’s consolidated their positions. At 2.30 p.m. a German counter attack on the Queen’s left flank was driven off by platoons of the 1/9th Highland Light Infantry. A company of the 1st Cameronians was sent up to help the pinned down 1st Queen’s. Together they rushed and captured the strongpoint round 7 p.m. With the German strongpoint gone, the men were able to resume the advance. With the exception of one pillbox near the Menin Road, the whole ground lost on the 25th had been recaptured. Another German counter attack at 5 p.m. was stopped with the help of the artillery.

Private Archibald Ferguson was killed in action on the 26th of September 1917. He was initially buried near the hamlet of Veldhoek. His remains were exhumed after the war and were interred in Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood.

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