Colin Cleverly Fergusson


Colin Cleverly Fergusson

Rank:Captain
Regiment:Royal Artillery, 7th Field Regiment
Country:France
Service Number:210406
Cemetary/Memorial: Tilly-sur-Seulles War Cemetary (VII.C.11.)
Awards:1939-1945 Star
1939-1945 War Medal

Born in 1921 in London, Captain Fergusson died 8th August 1944, aged 22, in Normandy during Operation Bluecoat.

Younger son of Sir John Donald Balfour Fergusson, GCB (1891–1963) and Lady Fergusson (Phyllis Mary Cleverly, 1893-1971) of Dummer Grange, Ebbesbourne Wake, Wiltshire. Sir Donald was a British civil servant who as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture had directed the Food Production Campaign during the Second World War. He was brother to Mary and David Balfour (1920-1962) who won the Military Cross in 1945, serving in Italy with the 5th Battalion of the Grenadier Guards.

His elder brother David was also a pupil at Saint Ronan’s. Their sister won the Visitors’ Race at Founders’ Day in 1933, and came second in 1935 and 1936. The brothers returned to visit Saint Ronan’s in 1936, 1937 and1939.

Colin was a pupil at St Ronan’s from 1931 to 1935, playing for the school cricket and football teams. In his first year, he won prizes in Latin and English, as well as the Form Prize and a Star in Swimming. He won his Second Star in 1933, as well as a prize for his garden, with classmates Horne and Bonham-Carter. In 1934, he was made a Prefect and again, won a gardening award, as well as the Billiards Competition. In 1935, he held his Prefect position and was confirmed in the school chapel. He was also made Vice Captain of the Cricket Team. With respect to football, The Ronian reported: “A very good little outside-left, though lacking in speed. He has splendid ball control and is a beautiful kick. Most of our goals came from his work on the left wing”.

He followed his brother to Radley, where he was a member of B Social (Nugee's/then Eason's) boarding house. In 1937 he played for the Junior Colts Team and boxed for the school. He played for the Cricket XI in 1938 and 1939. He went on to study at Magdalen College, Oxford.

His Radleian obituary reads as follows:
“Small of stature, though tough and full of spirit, Colin Fergusson will be remembered chiefly for his prowess on the cricket field. He was awarded his first cap in 1938 and put up many a good score in 1939 as one of the opening pair. Later in the same season he played for the Young Amateurs of Surrey. He was no mean performer at other ball games, particularly squash and tennis, and had he been bigger would have made a good footballer. He was also a member of the boxing team, and his courage and determination were as conspicuous in the ring as anywhere. Because of those same qualities, "Jubilee" as he was affectionately known to a wide circle of friends, cannot fail to have been an inspiration to his men.”

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