165011 David Balfour FERGUSSON, MC, MiD, 5 Grenadier Guards

Personal Number: 165011
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Name: David Balfour FERGUSSON
Unit: Grenadier Guards


London Gazette : 14 January 1941
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35040/supplement/251/data.pdf
The undermentioned Cadets, from Sandhurst and 162nd O.C.T.U.s, to be 2nd Lts., except as otherwise stated. 21st Dec. 1940:
FOOT GUARDS.
Gren. G'ds.
David Balfour FERGUSSON (165011).

London Gazette : 23 September 1943
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36180/supplement/4225/data.pdf
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve that the following be Mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North Africa.
Foot Guards.
Gren. G'ds.
Lt. D. B. Fergusson (165011)

London Gazette : 8 March 1945
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36972/supplement/1299/data.pdf
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services hi Italy: —
The Military Cross.
Captain (temporary) David Balfour Fergusson (165011), Grenadier Guards.

 

London Gazette : 23 September 1943
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36180/supplement/4221/data.pdf


https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36180/supplement/4225/data.pdf

 

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Fergusson, David Balfour
Rank: Lieutenant
Service No: 165011
Regiment: 5 Battalion Grenadier Guards
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Italy
Award: Military Cross
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 08 March 1945
Date 1945
Catalogue reference WO 373/10

24th Guards Brigade, 6th S.A. Armoured Division, 4 U.S. Corps
165011 War Substantive Lieutenant, Temporary Captain David Balfour FERGUSSON, 5th Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS

On 25th July the Company which this Officer commanded was one of the two leading Companies when the Battalion attacked a high ridge of the utmost importance to the S.A. Armoured Division.

After a long unreconnoitred approach march in the dark, these two Companies left their Start Line at 0530 hours.

Captain FERGUSSON led his Company across a deep valley in full view (by then) of the enemy who were strongly entrenched around a group of buildings which completely dominated all approaches to the objective.

The enemy opened heavy fire on the Company with spandaus at a range of about 400 yards. Without the least hesitation Captain FERGUSSON led the Company with great skill and courage, and under ever increasing small arms fire, straight towards the enemy position. A minefield had to be crossed during this advance in which one Officer and a number of Other Ranks became casualties. When close in to the enemy he ordered the leading Platoon to attack the building while he personally directed the covering fire which proved so effective that the Platoon captured this strong locality killing or taking prisoner a dozen of the enemy. and forcing the remainder to break and run for it. Taking immediate advantage of this situation Captain FERGUSSON then personally led his Company with great dash through the thickly wooded and very steep country which led to the second objective in hot pursuit of the remainder. Shooting their way forward through the dense scrub and wood they pressed the retreating Germans so hard that in a short time the second and third objectives, some 2,000 yards ahead, were also captured. Every attempt - and there were several - of the enemy to infiltrate back to the positions they had left was blocked by close range fire from the Company as it moved forward behind Captain FERGUSSON.

This Officer, who has already been mentioned in despatches for gallantry in leading a Platoon, displayed on this occasion quite outstanding leadership and personal gallantry. The speed with which this attack succeeded and subsequent objectives were gained in the face of strong oppositions was almost entirely due to him.

G.C. GORDON-LENNOX, D.S.O., Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding 5th Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS

Granted an Immediate M.C.