Posted By pferguson on November 8, 2022

Sergeant Lewis McGee VC
40th Battalion Australian Imperial Force
(Wiki image)

Battle of Broodseinde. Passchendaele Offensive. Action of 4 October 1917
No inscription on marker

For most conspicuous bravery when in the advance to the final objective, Sjt. McGee led his platoon with great dash and bravery, though strongly opposed, and under heavy shell fire.

His platoon was suffering severely and the advance of the Company was stopped by machine gun fire from a “Pill-box” post. Single-handed Sjt. McGee rushed the post armed only with a revolver. He shot some of the crew and captured the rest, and thus enabled the advance to proceed. He reorganised the remnants of his platoon and was foremost in the remainder of the advance, and during consolidation of the position he did splendid work.

This Non-commissioned Officer’s coolness and bravery were conspicuous and contributed largely to the success of the Company’s operations.

Sjt. McGee was subsequently killed in action [12 October 1917].

Tyne Cot Cemetery and Memorial is located outside of Passchendaele and is the largest Commonwealth military cemetery of all time with 11,965 burials. Many are unknown. Within its walls is the German Army Tyne Cot blockhouse captured by Australian Forces on 4 October 1917 and two German fortifications known as Irksome and The Barnacle. Tyne Cot has dedicated considerable effort towards the visitor’s experience modernizing its exterior layout to accommodate tour buses away from the original lane vantage and entry point. As one walks towards the entry speakers read out names of the fallen which carry through to the Interpretive Centre with several Great War items on exhibit as well as the historic Great War archaeological finds made as the site was prepared. Sergeant McGee’s marker is, like others, frequently provided with commemorations. This day was to be no different with a ceramic kangaroo and poppy left at his graveside. As I studied for today’s post I saw another image of Sergeant McGee with his wife Eileen and baby daughter Nada taken in 1916. Often I think about these type of images. Soldiers off to war…a family in waiting…will they come home? It is a familiar tragedy for many families and one heartfelt in the Ferguson home knowing of grandmother “Grannie” Hazel who lost her father, Ole Berget of the 31st Canadian Infantry Battalion on 3 May 1917. Grannie, at the time, was two years two months of age…one of many left to remember.

McGee marker at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Belgium, Age 29
(P. Ferguson image, September 2009)

Helpful Link

Australian War Memorial

Lewis McGee with wife Eileen and daughter Nada.
(Wiki Image)

Category: November Series, Remember Them Well | No Comments »
Tags: 12 October 1917, 4 October 1917, 40th Battalion Australian Imperial Force, Broodseinde (Passchendaele), Family, Lewis McGee VC, Posthumous Victoria Cross, Tyne Cot Cemetery

Posted By pferguson on November 7, 2022

Private Patrick Joseph Bugden VC
31st Battalion Australian Imperial Force
(Wiki Image)

Polygon Wood, Zonnebeke, Belgium: Action of 28 September 1917
THY WILL BE DONE NOT MINE

For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when on two occasions our advance was temporarily held up by strongly defended “pill-boxes”. Pte. Bugden, in the face of devastating fire from machine guns, gallantly led small parties to attack these strong points and, successfully silencing the machine guns with bombs, captured the garrison at the point of the bayonet. On another occasion, when a Corporal, who had become detached from his company, had been captured and was being taken to the rear by the enemy, Pte. Bugden, single-handed, rushed to the rescue of his comrade, shot one enemy and bayoneted the remaining two, thus releasing the Corporal. On five occasions he rescued wounded men under intense shell and machine gun fire, showing an utter contempt and disregard for danger. Always foremost in volunteering for any dangerous mission, it was during the execution of one of these missions that this gallant soldier was killed [28 September 1917].

On this day the journey took us around Vijver van Zillebeke [Zillebeke Lake] towards Zillebeke Churchyard, and the 15th Canadian Infantry Battalion (48th Highlanders) 2-3 June 1916 commemoration at Observatory Ridge. Here the plaque’s inscription describes the battalion’s experience in simple few words…The mad crescendo runs. On the Woeful Waiting Ones. The huddled World in Waiting. ‘Neath the Guns.

The words provide more to think upon as I pedal, winding our way to Maple Copse Cemetery and Larchwood (Railway Cutting) Cemetery very near to Hill 60. It is at Larchwood where one bicycle tire succumbs to the pressures of the road inadvertently providing more ponder time at Larchwood as we await repairs from our Ariane hosts. I take time, missing one fleeting train, but in good time for another taking shots in series as it passes. The train’s pace stark contrast to those who remain here at Larchwood. Once we return to the road Chris and I make a study on Hill 60 and the surrounding area. There is boardwalk here now, much finer than the duckboards of the Great War. Tour buses deliver persons with similar interests or with family closeness to this era. We head to Hooge Crater Cemetery to end our touring day where I find Patrick Joseph Bugden VC. It is a walk. of pauses..with time to find, before refreshments and food at the Hooge Crater Museum and Restaurant, the places where visitors have left their own remembrances to the fallen.

Bugden marker (on right) at Hooge Crater Cemetery, Belgium. Age 20.
(P. Ferguson image, September 2017)

Helpful Link
Australian War Memorial

Remembrance at Hooge Crater Cemetery.
(P. Ferguson image, September 2017)

Category: November Series, Remember Them Well | No Comments »
Tags: 15th Canadian Infantry Battalion (48th Highlanders), 28 September 1917, 31st Battalion Australian Imperial Force, Hill 60, Hooge Crater Cemetery, Larchwood (Railway Cutting) Cemetery (Belgium), Maple Copse Cemetery, Observatory Ridge, Patrick Joseph Bugden VC, Polygon Wood, Poppy, Posthumous Victoria Cross

Posted By pferguson on November 6, 2022

Private Harry Brown VC
10th Canadian Infantry Battalion
(P. Ferguson image, September 2005)

Hill 70: Action of 16 August 1917
No inscription on marker

For most conspicuous bravery, courage and devotion to duty. After the capture of a position, the enemy massed in force and counter-attacked. The situation became very critical, all wires being cut. It was of the utmost importance to get word back to Headquarters. This soldier and one other were given the message with orders to deliver the same at all costs. The other messenger was killed. Private Brown had his arm shattered but continued on through an intense barrage until he arrived at the close support lines and found an officer. He was so spent that he fell down the dug-out steps, but retained consciousness long enough to hand over his message, saying ‘ Important message.’ He then became unconscious and died in the dressing station a few hours later [17 August 1917]. His devotion to duty was of the highest possible degree imaginable, and his successful delivery of the message undoubtedly saved the loss of the position for the time and prevented many casualties.

Brown marker at Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery, Age 19.
(P. Ferguson image, September 2005)

Much of my time on the Western Front has been spent on the Ypres Salient, the Somme and at Vimy. Twenty-five minutes north of Vimy is Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery and in 2005 our car journey took us to some of the sites in the vicinity of Hill 70. This visit, well prior to the dedication of the Hill 70 Memorial in October 2019 and one that I will need to see. Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery is about 20 minutes away from the new memorial. Spending observational time on any of these landscapes provides the scanning eye with glimpses into this past of conflict and hurried souls. As much as I search for today’s peace within the conflict, I cannot help but see (as mentioned sometime previous) the conflict in the peace. At Noeux-les-Mines we find two Canadian VC burials – Brown’s burial (II.J.29) and that of Major Learmonth’s burial (II.K.9)

Major Okill Massey Learmonth VC MC
2nd Canadian Infantry Battalion (Eastern Ontario)
(Wiki Image)

Hill 70 east of Loos: Action of 18 August 1917
HE COUNTED NOT HIS LIFE DEAR UNTO HIMSELF

For most conspicuous bravery and exceptional devotion to duty. During a determined counter-attack on our new positions, this officer, when his company was momentarily surprised, instantly charged and personally disposed of the attackers. Later he carried on a tremendous fight with the advancing enemy. Although under intense barrage fire and mortally wounded, he stood on the parapet of the trench, and bombed the enemy continuously and directed the defence in such a manner as to infuse a spirit of utmost resistance into his men. On several occasions this very brave officer actually caught bombs thrown at him by the enemy and threw them back. When he was unable by reason of his wounds to carry on the fight he still refused to be carried out of the line, and continued to give instructions and invaluable advice to his junior officers, finally handing over all his duties before he was evacuated from the front line to the hospital where he died [19 August 1917].

Learmonth marker at Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery, France, Age 23.
(P. Ferguson image, September 2005)

So too this day brought us together with the French Memorial of Notre Dame de Lorette (Ablain-St.-Nazaire French Military Cemetery) a rising ridge above the Douai plain and Arras, France, 165 metres in height. Here the church, markers and ossuary reside as if painted on the landscape – the colours delivered by the images taken, an astonishing and other worldly setting. Beauty, suffering, loss, deep felt and cascading memories reside here. More than 40,000 Great War soldiers remains are held by this ground…the French national commemoration of loss in the Great War.

Helpful Links
VC Online – Pte. Brown

VC Online – Major Learmonth

Notre Dame de Lorette (Ablain-St.-Nazaire French Military Cemetery).
(P. Ferguson image, September 2005)

Category: November Series, Remember Them Well | No Comments »
Tags: 10th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 16 August 1917, 17 August 1917, 18 August 1917, 19 August 1917, 2nd Canadian Infantry Battalion, Ablain-St.-Nazaire French Military Cemetery, Harry Brown VC, Hill 70, Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery, Notre Dame de Lorette, Okill Massey Learmonth VC MC, Posthumous Victoria Cross

Posted By pferguson on November 5, 2022

Second Lieutenant Frederick Youens VC
13th Battalion Durham Light Infantry
(Durham Light Infantry Image)

Near Hill 60, Belgium: Action of 7 July 1917
LOYAL, TRUE AND KIND A BEAUTIFUL MEMORY LEFT BEHIND

For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. While out on patrol this officer was wounded and had to return to his trenches to have his wounds dressed. Shortly afterwards a report came in that the enemy were preparing to raid our trenches. 2nd Lt. Youens, regardless of his wound, immediately set out to rally the team of a Lewis gun, which had become disorganised owing to heavy shell fire. During this process an enemy’s bomb fell on the Lewis gun position without exploding. 2nd Lt. Youens immediately picked it up and hurled it over the parapet. Shortly afterwards another bomb fell near the same place; again 2nd Lt. Youens picked it up with the intention of throwing it away, when it exploded in his hand, severely wounding him and also some of his men. There is little doubt that the prompt and gallant action of 2nd Lt. Youens saved several of his men’s lives and that by his energy and resource the enemy’s raid was completely repulsed. This gallant officer has since succumbed to his wounds.

Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm) was a significant place of the fallen that I wanted to visit for many years. Not only was this the burial site of Frederick Youens VC but also of two well known Victoria, B.C. residents; Captain William Dumbleton Holmes DSO, MC and Lieutenant George Walter Nation. Both B.C. soldiers served with the 7th Canadian Infantry Battalion and Nation was well known to me, as I had frequented the Nation family memorial (an obelisk) at Ross Bay Cemetery and viewed the Nation memorial window at Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria. Holmes, though I knew of the well-known family, was anchored in memory by a rather battered newspaper clipping I once saw. I have yet to connect Holmes to another location here in Victoria…perhaps one day this will come or perhaps there is a surprise amongst the thousands of images taken in my wanders at home?

Nation family memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery, Victoria, B.C.
(P. Ferguson image March 2019)

As always, prior to my arrival in France and Flanders, I had prepared a record of Great War landscapes to view and observe.  My intention, after finding specifics, to search amongst the markers, grounds, and landscapes to find the resonance of voices amongst the stone story boards that provide clues to their living lives. Row by row I walk, see and read, camera in hand. This is how Youens VC was happened upon and so too others…Moore, Lawson, Dodgson, Broughton, the unknown Sikhs of the Indian Army and the others…so many lives.

Railway Dugouts Burial Ground, also known as Transport Farm, was first established in April 1915. Between 1916 – 1917 the cemetery was in heavy use due to the number of Advanced Dressing Stations dug into the nearby railway embankment near to the Ieper Railway Station. Frederick Youens VC died 7 July 1917…his Victoria Cross is exhibited at the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery.

Youens marker at Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm), Belgium, Age 24
(P. Ferguson image, September 2005)

Helpful Link
Durham at War

Near to the Railway Dugouts Burial Ground.
(P. Ferguson image, September 2005)

Category: November Series, Remember Them Well | No Comments »
Tags: 7 July 1917, Durham at War, Durham Light Infantry, Frederick Youens VC, George Walter Nation, Hill 60, Indian Army, Posthumous Victoria Cross, Railway Dugouts Burial Ground, Sikhs, Transport Farm, William Dumbleton Holmes DSO MC

Posted By pferguson on November 4, 2022

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
London Remembers

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

Category: November Series, Remember Them Well | No Comments »
Tags: 31 July 1917, Bellewaarde (Belgium), Menin Road South Military Cemetery, Northamptonshire Regiment, Posthumous Victoria Cross, Thomas Riversdale Colyer-Fergusson VC