Thomas Riversdale Colyer-Fergusson VC

Captain Thomas Riversdale Colyer-Fergusson VC
2nd Northamptonshire Regiment
(Wiki Image)

Bellewaarde, Belgium: Action of 31 July 1917
MY SON, MY SON NO REWARD CAN BE TOO GREAT

For most conspicuous bravery, skilful leading and determination in attack. The tactical situation having developed contrary to expectation, it was not possible for his company to adhere to the original plan of deployments, and owing to the difficulties of the ground and to enemy wire, Captain Colyer Fergusson found himself with a Sergeant and five men only. He carried out the attack nevertheless, and succeeded in capturing the enemy trench and disposing of the garrison. His party was then threatened by a heavy counter-attack from the left front, but this attack he successfully resisted. During this operation, assisted by his Orderly only, he attacked and captured an enemy machine gun and turned it on the assailants, many of whom were killed and a large number driven into the hands of an adjoining British unit. Later, assisted only by his Serjeant, he again attacked and captured a second enemy machine gun, by which time he had been joined by other portions of his company, and was enabled to consolidate his position. The conduct of this officer throughout forms an amazing record of dash, gallantry and skill, for which no reward can be too great, having regard to the importance of the position won. This gallant officer was shortly afterwards killed by a sniper.

In August 2018 the gathering of the many at Ieper (Ypres) and elsewhere, to take part in ceremonies commemorating the last 100 days of the Great War of 1918, was heartening. It was summer, 8 August 2018, and after many travels with others to the Western Front, Rosemary was finally able to join me on the great walks in the Ypres Salient. One such walk took us to the Menin Road South Military Cemetery about half way between the Menin Gate Memorial and Hellfire Corner. At long last Rosemary, having heard the many stories, saw and learned for herself the experience that is the Western Front. Continually engaged, Rosemary took to the multi-wandering and searching through cemetery registers with each visit. A brief rest, beside the Cross of Sacrifice, and then on to the next path and story. Thomas Riversdale Colyer-Fergusson VC was killed 31 July 1917. A brother, Lieutenant Max Christian Hamilton Colyer-Fergusson, Royal Army Service Corps, died 13 August 1940.

Colyer-Fergusson marker at
Menin Road South Military Cemetery, Age 21
(P. Ferguson image, August 2018)

Helpful Link
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Rosemary at Menin Road South Military Cemetery.
(P. Ferguson image, August 2018)

Tags: 31 July 1917, Bellewaarde (Belgium), Menin Road South Military Cemetery, Northamptonshire Regiment, Posthumous Victoria Cross, Thomas Riversdale Colyer-Fergusson VC

This entry was posted by pferguson on Friday, November 4th, 2022 at 5:44 am and is filed under November Series, Remember Them Well. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

About The Author

pferguson

Paul has worked with the Paradigm Motion Picture Company since 2009 as producer, historian and research specialist. Paul first met Casey and Ian WIlliams of Paradigm in April 2007 at Ieper (Ypres), Belgium when ceremonies were being held for the re-dedication of the Vimy Memorial, France. Paul's sensitivity to film was developed at an early age seeing his first films at RCAF Zweibrucken, Germany and Sardinia. Paul returned to Canada in 1967 and was captivated by David Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Bridge on the River Kwai". Over time Paul became increasingly interested in storytelling, content development, character, direction, cinematography, narration and soundtracks. At the University of Victoria, Paul studied and compared Japanese and Australian film and became interested in Australian film maker Peter Weir and his film "Gallipoli" (1981). Paul was inspired when he learned Weir visited the beaches, ridges and ravines of the peninsula. "Gallipoli", the film, led Paul on many journeys to sites of conflict in England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Malta, Hawaii, Gallipoli, North Macedonia and Salonika. When Paul first watched documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, "The Civil War", Paul understood how his own experience and insight could be effective and perhaps influential in film-making. Combining his knowledge of Museums and Archives, exhibitions and idea strategies with his film interests was a natural progression. Paul thinks like a film-maker. His passion for history and storytelling brings to Paradigm an eye (and ear) to the keen and sensitive interests of; content development, the understanding of successful and relational use of collections, imagery and voice. Like Paul's favorite actor, Peter O'Toole, Paul believes in the adage “To deepen not broaden.” While on this path Paul always remembers his grandmother whose father did not return from the Great War and how his loss shaped her life and how her experience continues to guide him.

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