Sec.Lt John S.Ferguson - 215th Sqdn.

[Derek Robertson]

Does anyone have any information on Sec.Lt John Shannon Ferguson, 215th Sqdn who was allegedly killed "over Metz" on 21st Sept 1918?

He was born in Hawick.

Rank: Second Lieutenant Date of Death: 21/09/1918 Age: 24 Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force 215th Sqdn. Panel Reference: Memorial: ARRAS FLYING SERVICES MEMORIAL Additional Information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ferguson, of 170, Elm St., Pittsfield, Mass., U.S.A.

[nieuport11]

His military record can be downloaded online from the National Archives for a small fee - reference is AIR 76/159/143:

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D8259510

He was listed as missing on Handley Page O/400 C9732 along with 2Lt ACG Fowler and 2Lt CG Eaves

The casualty card is available for free viewing on the RAF Museum site, reference 270740:

http://www.rafmuseumstoryvault.org.uk/archive/?7000270740

[fetubi]

Hi Derek,

I understand your man was shot down in flames over Metz on a raid to Frescaty Aerodrome. He was in HP C9732, as Nieuport11 mentions above, and all were killed, and buried at Metz. Of peripheral interest is that his pilot, 2Lt ACG Fowler, had been recommended and accepted for a gallantry award just 4 days earlier, but it appears his death sadly intervened.

Hope this helps.

Trevor

[Derek Robertson]

Thank you both for the information and links. Much appreciated.

[josquin]

Hi Derek,

Something more about the two men who accompanied Lieutenant Ferguson on his final flight. 2/Lt. Alfred Charles Garrett Fowler was born

at Hitchin, Hertfordshire, on 17 June 1899; you can download a copy of his service record from the National Archives at AIR 76/168/49.

2/Lt. Clement Gough Eaves was born at Derby, Derbyshire on 18 February 1894, and was living at Stockport, Cheshire before the war.

His service record is available at AIR 76/145/147.

Trelawney

[Derek Robertson]

Thank you.

[Garrie215]

It's a while since this thread started but I'd like to add to the information above--he died on his first mission with 215 Squadron on the night of September 20, 1918 while attacking Frescaty Aerodrome south of Metz--then in Germany, now in France in Handley Page O/400 C9732. 2/Lt Ferguson was Gunlayer and it was also 2/Lt CC Eaves, the Observer's first mission but the pilots 21st.  A German soldier saw them come down in flames and was able to retrieve personal belongings from the pilot and return them to his college in London--the only address they had.  So at least one crew member was identified but there is no known grave for any of them--just memorialized on the Arras Flying Service Memorial--because of the closeness of the first letter of their surname, they are within 7 names of each other on the memorial.  Check out all three in IWM Lives of the First World War for details of their short lives and some photos.  Check out free downloads of the book Handley Page O/400 Night Bomber Pilot by Hunt at books2read/NightBomberPilot for more information too on this mission.  All of the actual books have been given away to museums and interested parties and there is free access to the eBook.  My particular interest is to find photos of Clement Clough Eaves and Alfred Charles Garrett Fowler--but no such luck so far.  You'll see a photo of John Shannon Ferguson on the IWM Lives page.  I was at the site of the Xaffevillers Aerodrome (where they took off from) now farm land on the centenary of their death--and at Frescaty seeing the site of the Zeppelin hangar and Casino de Frescaty the day before.  A humbling experience before heading to the Somme tracking down a 12th Manchester casualty, and a Waggoner of the East Yorkshire regiment and a Sapper of the 84th Field Coy, RE, both serving near Ypres.