Pte 15476 Joseph Ferguson

• Age: 20
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Friday 28th January 1916
• Commemorated at: Cerisy-gailly Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: II.H.17

Joseph Ferguson was born on the 05th June 1895 in Liverpool and was baptised just four days later on the 09th June 1895 at St John's R. C. Church, Liverpool. Joseph was the seventh child of, Edward, a storekeeper with the dock board, and his wife, Julia, (nee Carter). Edward and Julia were married on the 14th December 1873 at St Peter's and St Nicholas' Church, Liverpool. Joseph had siblings; Janet, Julia, Francis, Mary, Christopher and Edward. His father, Edward, was born in Dumfries, Scotland and his mother, Julia, was from Liverpool they lived all their married life in Liverpool. Joseph had siblings; Janet, Julia, Francis, Mary, Christopher and Edward. His father, Edward, was born in Dumfries, Scotland and his mother, Julia, was from Liverpool they lived all their married life in Liverpool. 

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 52 Sessions Road, Liverpool. Joseph is 5 years of age and lives with his parents and six siblings. His father is 51 years of age and a storekeeper with the dock board, whilst his mother is 48 years of age. His siblings are listed as follows; Janet a 26 year old tailoress, Julia a 24 year old tailoress, Francis aged 20 and a clerk (fruit), Mary aged 18 and an assistant dressmaker, Christopher 12 and Edward 8. Also present is a visitor.   

By 1911, the family had moved to 181 Orwell Road, where Joseph is 15 and described as an office boy. He was listed by Yeoward Brothers as an employee lost to them during the war. Both parents are present in the household, his father, aged 61, now described as a slide rail cleaner, born in Dumfries, his mother Julia is 58. His parents advised that they had been married for 37 years and have had 11 children of whom 7 have survived. Joseph's siblings listed in the household are shown as; Janet Fisher a 36 year old married woman, Francis who is now a 30 year old widower and employed as a fruit buyer, Mary 28 and a dressmaker, Christopher a 22 year old clerk and Edward an 18 year old clerk. Also declared in the household are; Mary Fisher aged 1 and described as granddaughter, Mary Ferguson a granddaughter aged 5, and Francis Ferguson a grandson aged 3. The family also employ a servant. 

Joseph enlisted at St. George's Hall in Liverpool joining the 17th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 15476.

He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14^th September 1914, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. 

He was killed in action on the 28th January 1916, aged 20. His service record is unavailable but he served in France from 07^th November 1915, thus earning his 3 medals.

He was originally buried at Maricourt Military Cemetery but after the was when graves were concentrated he was reburied and now rests at Cerisy-Gailly Cemetery, Grave II H 17, France. 

Gailly was the site of the 39th and 13th Casualty Clearing Stations during the early part of 1917, and of the 41st Stationary Hospital from May 1917 to March 1918. The villages were then captured by the Germans, but were retaken by the Australian Corps in August 1918. Cerisy-Gailly Military Cemetery (originally called the New French Military Cemetery) was begun in February 1917 and used by medical units until March 1918. After the recapture of the village it was used by Australian units. The cemetery was increased after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the battlefields of the Somme and the following small cemeteries:-  MARICOURT MILITARY CEMETERY was at the South-East corner of the village, on the road to Clery. It was begun by French troops in December, 1914, and was known to the French by the name of Ferme Caudron. It was taken over by British troops in August, 1915, and used until July, 1916. It contained the graves of 887 French soldiers, 260 from the United Kingdom and six German.

The cemetery now contains 745 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War. 114 of the burials are unidentified and special memorials commemorate five casualties buried at Maricourt and Ste. Helene whose graves could not be found. The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Daily Post on 12th February 1916:

FERGUSON – January 27 killed in action in France Private Joseph Ferguson of 17^th Battalion Liverpool “Pals”, youngest son of Edward and Julia Ferguson 181 Orwell Road, Kirkdale.

His death was also reported in the Nottingham and Midland Catholic News on Saturday 26 February 1916: 

PTE. JOSEPH FERGUSON,  

17th Battalion (1st City, "Pals") of the King's Liverpool Regiment, who was killed in action in France on January 28th. Deceased, whose parents reside at 181 Orwell Road, Kirkdale, was but 20 years age. He had been a pupil at St. John's Schools, and for many years served on the altar in St. John's Church, and had been a member of the Young Men's Society. Mass was offered on Sunday by Dean O'Byrne, for his repose. A lieutenant, writing to the deceased's parents, says: "He was always ready for the hardest work, and calmly faced every danger. He was an example to the other members of the platoon. He was killed by shell-fire during a heavy bombardment of our lines.—R.l.P. " 

His family placed remembrance notices in the Liverpool Echo dated 29th January 1917;

Roll of Honour – FERGUSON – In loving memory of Private Joseph Ferguson KLR (1^st Pals) youngest son of E & J Ferguson killed in action Jan 28 1916 (God’s Holy will be done R.I.P.)

FERGUSON – In loving memory of Private Joseph Ferguson 17^th Battalion  (Pals) killed Jan 28 1916 (Greater love than this no man hath R.I.P) Kathleen

Again on the second anniversary of his death in the Liverpool Daily Post dated 28th January 1918

FERGUSON – In loving remembrance of Private Joseph Ferguson KLR killed in action January 28 1916 youngest son of Julia and the late Edward, 181 Orwell Road Kirkdale RIP

Joseph is commemorated in the Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 64

His older brother, Francis, enlisted in the Army Service Corps (MT) as Private 314611 at Grove Park, Liverpool. At that time he was almost 36 years of age, already widowed, and the father of two young children. He was mobilized on 14^th April 1917 but did not serve in Europe other than in Ireland. He was pensioned on his demobilization in May 1919, having qualified as a HGV driver in the Army. 

Joseph’s father died, aged 66, in September 1917 and was buried 21st September 1917 at Kirkdale Cemetery. 

His mother died on the 09th February 1932, aged 79. 

Her death was reported in the Liverpool Daily Post on Thursday 11th February 1932: 

FERGUSON— February 9, at 181 Orwell-road, JULIA FERGUSON, beloved wife of the late Edward Ferguson, R.I.P. Requiem Mass at St John's, on Saturday next at 9 a.m. : Interment at Kirkdale Cemetery immediately afterwards. 

We currently have no further information on Joseph Ferguson. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.