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Auction: 24112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 688

(x) The Great War M.M. group of five, Olympic awards and Gymnastic awards of Private W. Fergus, Army Service Corps, a famous Scottish Gymnast who took many prizes during his career and represented Great Britain at the 1908 London Games

Military Medal, G.V.R. (M2-099698 Pte. W. Fergus. M.T. A.S.C.); 1914-15 Star (M2-099698 Pte. W. Fergus, A.S.C.); British War and Victory Medals (M2-096698 Pte. W. Fergus. A.S.C.); War Medal 1939-45, in its box of issue addressed to 'W. C. G. Fergus, Esq., 57 Glenmarkie Terrace, Dundee, Angus', together with his 1908 London Olympic Games Participants Medal, white metal and Competitor's Badge, silver and enamel, the reverse numbered '1558', good very fine (Lot)

Provenance:
The Olympic Games Sale, Bonhams, 2012.

M.M. London Gazette 27 June 1918.

William C. G. Fergus was born at Dunfermline on 26 September 1886 and began to show his talents in Gymnastics from the age of just ten. He joined the famous Carnegie Club and soon became one of the leading lights for the Club, taking various National titles along the way. Aged 22 he was selected for the Great Britain Team in the 1908 London Games but did not come away with a Medal on that occasion.

Like so many of his generation, the Great War meant a total change of life and prospects. Fergus landed in France on 6 July 1915 and earned his M.M. whilst attached to 'A' Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery in a Motor Transport role. The award likely stems from bringing up vital ammuniation through enemy fire and given the date of award, would be for the German Spring Offensive of March 1918.

Having set up a watch-making business after the Great War, Fergus served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War and died in June 1975. Sold together with the following Gymnastics prize Medals:

The Scottish Gymnastic Association Amateur Championship of Scotland, Prize Medal for Club Championship won by W. C. Fergus 1906-7, silver.

The Scottish Gymnastic Association Amateur Championship of Scotland, Prize Medal for Rope Climbing Championship won by W.C. Fergus 1906-7, bronze.

The Scottish Gymnastic Association Amateur Championship of Scotland Prize Medal for Rope Climbing Championship won by W. C. Fergus 1907-8, silver.

The Scottish Gymnastic Association Amateur Championship of Scotland prize medal in gold for Pomelle Horse won by W. C. Fergus 1907-8, gold (9 carat).

The Scottish Gymnastic Association Amateur Championship of Scotland prize medal won by WC Fergus 1906-7, silver.

Gymnastic Association Prize Medal for Rope Climbing Record won by W. C. Fergus.

The Scottish Amateur Gymnastic Association Amateur Championship of Scotland Prize Medal for Rope Climbing won by W. C. Fergus 1908-9.

The Carnegie Dunfermline Trust Carnegie Gymnasium Club Prize Medal for the winners of the International and Scottish Gymnastic Shields in 1908 named to Wm Fergus, silver, but not hallmarked but most likely of Scottish manufacture.

The 'K.B.C.' Prize Medal for 4 miles won by W.C. Fergus, silver, not hallmarked but most likely of Scottish manufacture.

Scottish Amateur Boxing and Wrestling Association Individual Gymnastic Championship Pomelle Horse 1st Prize Medal won by W. C. Fergus in 1912, silver.

The Hood Medal in gold won by W.C. Fergus in 1912, gold (9 carat), hallmarks for Birmingham 1912.


Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£1,000

Starting price
£1000