Ferguson, Archibald Leslie (Private, b.1888 - d.1962)

Collection relating to the First World War service of 6070 Private Archibald Leslie Ferguson, 18 Battalion, Australian Imperial Force (AIF), England, France, Belgium and Australia, 1916-1930.

Wallet 1 of 1 - Contains two folders of material relating to Private Archibald Leslie Ferguson's service with the 18th Battalion in England, France and Belgium between 1916 and 1919, and his life in Australia after the war.

Folder 1 of 2 consists of 16 items, including a diary, postcards, and souvenirs. The diary contains brief entries dated between October 1916 and January 1919. In his diary, Private Ferguson writes about breaking his leg and recovering in hospital in England, travelling through France to Belgium, being wounded in action at Ypres, being transferred to several English hospitals, returning to France to serve on the front line, being severely gassed, and returning to Australia. This diary also contains names and addresses of acquaintances, and several pressed flowers. The postcards were written by Private Ferguson to his wife, Henrietta 'Ettie' Ferguson, and daughters, Dorothy 'Doris' and Elsie Ferguson. In his postcards, dated between early 1917 and July 1918, Private Ferguson sends his love and well wishes, and writes about the sights that he saw while in England. There are both silk embroidered postcards and photographic postcards. The souvenirs consist of two Catholic membership cards [dated 25 April 1918 and 6 January 1927; one including a small drawstring bag], one photograph of Private Ferguson's daughter Dorothy [undated], and one tag with a note to Private Ferguson from his sister Ethel [undated].

Folder 2 of 2 consists of 20 items of documentation and official correspondence relating to the service of Private Ferguson. It contains three Soldier's Pay Books, dated between October 1916 and December 1920 [including one brown pay book holder]; one Soldier's Pay Card, dated between October and December 1918; one identity card cover [empty; undated]; one leave pass, dated between October and December 1919; eight letters from the AIF Base Records and the Australian Red Cross Society to members of Private Ferguson's family relating to him being wounded in action in late 1917 and mid-1918; one letter from the AIF Base Records Office to Henrietta Ferguson relating to Private Ferguson's return to Australia, dated 15 November 1918; one Statement of Account, dated circa December 1920; and four documents relating to Private Ferguson's war pension, dated between 20 November 1920 and 20 September 1930.