Elwin Sedgwick Ferguson

Elwyn Sedgwick Ferguson

Biography

Elwin (he preferred Elwyn) Sedgwick Ferguson was born on the 29th August 1917 in Sedgwick. His parents were George Edward and Lily Rosina Ferguson (née Barnes). When Elwyn left school — believed to be Crosscrake — he went to work for K-Shoes as a boot and shoe operative. During the 1930s K-Shoes chose one of their young female staff annually to be the K-Shoes Queen, to be crowned at the K-Shoes Summer Fete. Each Queen had an attendant, and in 1937 this was Elwyn.

Elwyn (right) at his wedding, in dress uniform.

Service Record

Encouraged to do so, as were so many young men, Elwyn joined the territorial army on the 28th April 1939, being posted to the local regiment — the 4th Battalion The Border Regiment — as Private 3599695. This was the same day as John Hudson joined. Elwyn was described as 5 feet 10 inches tall with fair complexion, blue eyes and auburn hair. He lived at 71 Aynam Road, but his next of kin was given as his father George at Gardeners Cottage, Sedgwick.

Elwyn was called to the colours on the 1st September 1939 and went to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force on the 16th November. As part of the same force as John Hudson he would undoubtedly have had the same experiences in France with the 4th Borders.

On 18th March 1941 he embarked for the Suez Canal, arriving there some two months later. After a spell in Egypt the battalion was sent to Syria, though Elwyn spent some time in hospital before he re-joined the unit. In October Elwyn and his comrades came back to Alexandria before sailing to Tobruk. At the end of 1941 Elwyn was promoted to Lance Corporal.

As 1942 marched on, the 4th Battalion Border Regiment was sent to India. It appears that the battalion had a “quiet” time for a few months, though Elwyn was sent on a signals course and qualified as an assistant instructor. He joined the signals section of the 23rd Brigade Headquarters, of which the Borders were a part, before re-joining his own unit in time for Christmas 1943.

How They Died

The Brigade became part of the Chindits, fighting in the Burmese jungle behind Japanese lines, where on the 4th July 1944 Elwyn was killed in action. His next of kin — who by this stage was given as his sister Miss D. Ferguson of 16 Mint Street — was informed 20 days later. It is to be assumed that she received his medals.

Where They Rest

Elwyn is buried in the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery at Imphal, India. The inscription on his gravestone says: “A life nobly given. Always remembered by his brothers and sisters.” Elwin Sedgwick Ferguson is also named on the Natland War Memorial.

Life timeline

  1. Born in Sedgwick

    Parents George Edward and Lily Rosina Ferguson (née Barnes). 5 feet 10 inches tall, fair complexion, blue eyes, auburn hair.

  2. Worked at K-Shoes as a boot and shoe operative

    Believed to have attended Crosscrake school. Approximate start date — exact year not recorded.

  3. Attendant to the K-Shoes Queen at the K-Shoes Summer Fete

    During the 1930s K-Shoes annually crowned a Queen from their young female staff at the Summer Fete; each Queen had an attendant.

  4. Enlisted in the Territorial Army, 4th Battalion The Border Regiment

    Service number 3599695. Same day as fellow Natland man John 'Jack' Hudson.

  5. Called to the colours at the outbreak of war

  6. Sent to France with the British Expeditionary Force

    As part of the same force as John Hudson; he would have shared the same experiences in France with the 4th Borders.

  7. Embarked for the Suez Canal with the 4th Borders

    Arrived two months later. After a spell in Egypt the battalion was sent to Syria, though Elwyn spent some time in hospital before re-joining the unit.

  8. Sailed from Alexandria to Tobruk

    The battalion came back to Alexandria from Syria before sailing to Tobruk to take part in the siege.

  9. Promoted to Lance Corporal

  10. 4th Battalion Border Regiment sent to India

    After a 'quiet' period of a few months Elwyn was sent on a signals course and qualified as an assistant instructor.

  11. Posted to 23rd Brigade Headquarters signals section

    Border Regiment was part of 23rd Brigade. He re-joined his own unit in time for Christmas 1943.

  12. Killed in action in Burma, aged 26

    Fighting with the Chindits behind Japanese lines. His next of kin — by this stage his sister Miss D. Ferguson of 16 Mint Street — was informed 20 days later.

  13. 23rd Brigade became part of the Chindits in the Burmese jungle

    Long-range penetration force operating behind Japanese lines.

  14. Buried at Imphal War Cemetery, India

    Inscription on his gravestone: 'A life nobly given. Always remembered by his brothers and sisters.' Also commemorated on the Natland War Memorial.

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