Mothers and Widows Badge : Mrs L M Ferguson

Mothers and Widows badge with impressed serial number on reverse upper bar '9682'. Badge takes the form of a black machine embroidered ribbon, silk ribbon, in yellow, white and red, sprigs of wattle, a 'Rising Sun' badge and 'FOR AUSTRALIA'. The ribbon is suspended between two white metal bars, the upper one with a brooch fitting and the lower one with a gold star, indicating one relative killed.

This badge was issued to Louise Myrea Ferguson, the widowed Mother, of 9146 Gunner Leopold Eric Alexis Ferguson of Goulburn, NSW. A clerk prior to enlisting with the AIF on 18 June 1915, he embarked with the Dermatological Hospital Unit from Sydney aboard HMAT Kanowna on 22 December 1915. He transferred to the artillery on 2 April 1916 and after several months training, joined the 106th Battery of the 25th Field Artillery Brigade in December.

On 9 June 1917 during the Battle of Messines, his artillery gun position was hit by German fire. He was severely wounded and died at the 54th Casualty Clearing Station located near Ploegsteert Wood. His cousin, Leon Dudley Ferguson, served as a captain in the 45th Battalion, AIF and was awarded the Military Cross. He returned to Australia on 1 November 1919.