Lance/Corporal James Ferguson.
11556 6th East Lancashire Regiment.
Killed in Action 9th August 1915, aged 25.
James was born 18th Sept 1890 and baptised 5th Oct in St Mary’s R.C. Burnley, the son of Thomas and Hannah Ferguson. In the 1901 census the family lived at 22 Park St., Burnley. Thomas miner aged 45 born in Ireland, Hannah 44 born in Wigan, John 22 miner, Ellen 21, weaver, Mary 19 weaver, Thomas 17 miner, Patrick 12, James 10, Joseph 8, Kate 3 and Hannah 3, all children were born in Burnley.
By the time of the 1911 census the family were still at 22 Park St, Thomas 55, Hannah 52, John 32, Mary 27, Patrick 22, James 20 miner, Joseph 18 weaver, Kate 13, Hannah 13 and jack 5. His parents had been married 33 years had 11 children and 9 had survived.
James married Sarah Clarke on the 8th July in St Mary’s R C Church, Burnley.
From the Burnley Express dated 16th Oct 1915: BURNLEY BROTHERS FATE. - ONE MISSING. ONE A PRISONER.
Private James Ferguson of the 6th East Lancashire Regiment has been posted as missing since September 9th at the Dardanelles. He joined the army early after the war commenced and he went out for Active Service in June. His brother Private Thomas Ferguson, of the same regiment has been notified as a prisoner of war. Both are married and reside in Bridge Street Burnley.
From the Burnley Express dated 21st Feb 1917: BURNLEY COLLIER PRESUMED DEAD.
The War Office have now presumed the death of Private James Ferguson of the 6th East Lancashire Regiment, who had been missing from August 9th 1915 in the Dardanelles. He was a Collier and resided at 4 Park Street Burnley.
From the Burnley Express dated 24th Feb 1917: BURNLEY COLLIER PRESUMED DEAD.
Mrs Ferguson of 4 Park Street Burnley, has received word from the war office that her husband Lance Corporal 11556, James Ferguson of the 6th East Lancashire Regiment who had been missing since the action in the Dardanelles on August 9th 1915, must now be presumed to have been killed on that date. He was a Collier at Barden Pit, and enlisted on August 14th 1914 leaving for the Dardanelles in the following June. He was aged 25 years and he leaves two young children. He was a member of St. Mary's RC Church, both his parents are living and of their other son's, one is in Mesopotamia, another is in France, and another has been taken prisoner by the Germans.
From the Burnley Express dated 24th Feb 1917: ROLL OF HONOUR.
Ferguson killed in action August 9th 1915 at the Dardanelles, Lance Corporal James Ferguson 11556, 6th Lancashire Regiment, age 25 years (previously reported missing).
I loved him yes, no tongue can tell
How dearly and how well.
I think of him in silence,
His name I off to recall,
There is nothing left to comfort me
But his photo on the wall.
From his wife and children 4 Park Street Burnley.
James left his effects to his widow Sarah.
James is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli: Panels 114 to 118. Son of Thomas and Anna Ferguson of 22 Park St, Burnley; husband of Sarah Ferguson of 4 Park St Burnley.
