Surname: Ferguson

Forename(s): John

Rank: Private

Service number: 25813

Regiment: 6th Bn Cameron Highlanders

Date of death: 1 August 1918, Aged 40

Place of death: Soissons

Buried: Villemontoire Communal Cemetery

Commemorated: Kingussie War Memorial and Kingussie and Insh Memorial in Kingussie Parish Church

John was born on 21 November 1876 at Braehead, Avoch. Catherine, his mother, died in “childbed” on 23 November 1876 aged 23. John’s father Malcolm registered both the birth of his son and the death of his wife, Catherine, on the same day, 27 November 1876. John was brought to 12 Carishader, Uig, Lewis to be raised by his paternal grandparents, John and Mary Ferguson.

In the 1901 Census he was listed as living in Wick with his uncle and his occupation was given as a stone mason.

In 1902 John married Barbara Sutherland Nicolson of Overton, Clythe when he was described as a mason (journeyman). They had six children - John, Agnes, Callum, Margaret and twins Angus and William. His daughter Margo and twins Angus and William were born at Spey Street, Kingussie and the family were living there in the 1911 Census.

At the time of John’s death the family were living at Langside Cottage, High Street, Kingussie.

War Record: John enlisted in the Cameron Highlanders on 8 January 1915. He died on 1 August 1918 Killed in Action aged 40 at Soissons.

He is buried at Villemontoire Communal Cemetery and is one of only six graves in the village cemetery. Five of the graves are of Cameron Highlanders.