The Ferguson Brothers of Enoggera.
Tracey BartonWhilst researching the names listed on the Enoggera State School Roll of Honour we noted there were several surnames that were repeated. It transpired that there was evidence of close family relationships between these individuals in many records we looked at.
One family name that was repeated was that of Ferguson and it was revealed that the men were brothers.
The Ferguson family were a prominent family who lived on a 12 acre estate called “Abbotsford” at Enoggera. Portions of this estate still exist as Ferguson Park, Enoggera and a house that was removed to 11 Gizeh Street, Enoggera, called “Hoya”.
The brothers’ father, James Ferguson, helped establish a successful printing and bookselling business with his partner, John Watson, which became Watson, Ferguson & Company Ltd. He married Eliza Abbott and they had nine children. Some of the children attended Enoggera State School. The Fergusons were supporters of the school and an award was given to a student for “progress, good conduct and attendance”. One of these unissued medals is held by Museums Victoria in Melbourne. You can see it at: https://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/items/53125
Four of James and Eliza’s sons enlisted and served when war was declared in 1914 but only three have their names on the Roll of Honour – Hector, Douglas and Malcolm. Norman’s name does not appear on the Roll.
Hector served with the 1st Divisional Signalling Company and saw active service in Gallipoli and on the Western Front. He was mentioned in divisional orders twice at Gallipoli for acts of conspicuous gallantry/ valuable service in June 1915. He was also awarded the Military Cross in December 1916 for re-establishing communications under heavy fire at Delville Valley and a bar was awarded in September 1917 at Menin Road for helping to repair and maintain communication lines again under heavy fire. He was killed in action in 1917 during the Third Battle of Ypes in Belgium.
Douglas joined the 5th Field Artillery Brigade and was posted to the British Expeditionary Force after training in Egypt and saw service on the Western Front. He transferred to the Australian Flying Corps in 1917 and trained as a pilot. He was to return to the Western Front to fight with his plane but unfortunately was killed in a battle-training accident in England in 1918 and is buried there.
Malcolm enlisted with the 5th Field Artillery Brigade and saw active service in Gallipoli and on many battlefields of the Western Front. He was mentioned in dispatches for gallant/ meritorious action in the face of the enemy. He suffered serious gassing in France in June 1918 which led to him being discharged and returning to Australia.
Norman enlisted with the 28th Field Artillery Reinforcements and transferred to the 13th Field Artillery Brigade. He served on the Western Front and received wounds from mustard gas in France in 1918. Whilst recovering in England he was given special leave to work in a printing business in London before being discharged for return to Australia.
A proud family.
