Ferguson and Farley family letters, 1940-1960

MLMSS 9503

fonds

1940-1960

1140711

0.16 meters of textual material (1 box)

Ian Ferguson was born 13 June 1920 to parents Alan and Mabel (nee Doel) Ferguson. He enlisted into the AIF on 25 June 1940 and was placed into the 2/18 Infantry Battalion serial no. NX40520. After training at Ingleburn and Bathurst the 2/18th was sent to Singapore in February 1941 to commence the defense of the island.

When the Japanese attacked Malaya the 2/18th withdrew to Singapore. It was allocated a position in the centre of the 22nd Brigade’s sector on the island’s east coast but the wide frontage it was required to cover meant its platoons and sections had to be widely dispersed. When the Japanese launched their invasion on the night of 8 February, the 2/18th had no hope of holding them back, although its positions along the waterfront inflicted heavy casualties. The Japanese infiltrated between the 2/18th’s posts and the battled degenerated into vicious scattered engagements in the dark. Like most Australian units involved, it fell into a desperate retreat that ended with surrender on the outskirts of Singapore city on the night of 15 February 1942.

(Source: http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11269.asp)

Ian Ferguson was last seen during the battle for Singapore and his date of death is the 14 February 1942, he was reported as missing but not confirmed until November 1945. He has a grave and headstone in the Kranji War Cemetary, Singapore, marked 'Buried near this spot'.

Notice of Probate in the Sydney Morning Herald by Jessie Ferguson, 17 June 1946
(Source: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/17985977?searchTerm=ian%20ferguson%20breeza&searchLimits=l-decade=1946)

Jessie Ferguson married John William Farley in 1961.

Letters of Ian Ferguson (1920-1942) to his parents, Jessie his sister, and his Grandma. Letters of sympathy to his sister Jessie. Poetry by Mabel Ferguson.

1. Letters from Ian Ferguson to his parents, Alan and Mable Ferguson. Ingleburn 6-27 October [1940]. Bathurst 7 November [1940] to 26 January [1941].

2. Letters from Ian Ferguson from Malaya to his parents, Alan and Mable Ferguson.
Letters are numbered no. 1 [January 1941] to no. 54, January 31, 1942. Some letters are numbered twice, some unnumbered.

3. Letters from Ian Ferguson from Malaya to his sister, Jessie. Dated 9 March [1941] to 30 November [1941].

4. a. Letters from Ian Ferguson from Malaya to his Grandmother, 1 and 27 June [1941].

b. Letter from Mabel Ferguson to her daughter Jessie concerning the death of Ian. "Barwo", Breeza, Monday 26 November [1945].

c. Letter to Jessie Ferguson from Rev. R.L. McInnes, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Gunnedah, 29 November 1945. Concerns expressions of sympathy on the death of Ian.

d. Letter to Jessie Ferguson from Glad [her Aunt Gladys], Purlewaugh, 29 November 1945. Concerns expressions of sympathy on the death of Ian.

e. Letter to Jessie Ferguson from Ivan, Purlewaugh, 29 November 1945. Concerns expressions of sympathy on the death of Ian.

f. Verse titled "Jesus still lead on". This piece of verse is by Jane Borthwick (1813-1897).

5. Letters to Jessie Ferguson, 1960 from family members congratulating her on her future marriage to John William Farley, a teacher from Wauchope. Letters also from John Farley proposing marriage to Jessie dated 31 May 1960.

6. Poetry by Mabel Ferguson, 1937-1951

Copyright status:: In copyright
Research & study copies allowed:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and Ian Ferguson