The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (3913) Flight Sergeant Oswald Edward Ferguson, 10 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, Second World War

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial every day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Meridith Duncan, the story for this day was on (3913) Flight Sergeant Oswald Edward Ferguson, 10 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, Second World War.

3913 Flight Sergeant Oswald Edward Ferguson, No. 10 Squadron, RAAF
Killed on Active Service, 30 June 1944
Photograph: ART22312

Story delivered 16 September 2013

Today we pay tribute to Flight Sergeant Oswald Edward Ferguson, Royal Australian Air Force.

Oswald Edward Ferguson was born in Goulburn, New South Wales, on 9 March 1911. After his schooling, Ferguson - popularly known as "Os" or "Ossie" - joined the New South Wales Railways, where he undertook a five year apprenticeship as a fitter and turner and worked for ten years before enlisting. On 17 May 1934, Oswald married Doreen and the following year, in November 1935, Doreen gave birth to their son, Graham Ferguson.

In January 1939, on the eve of the outbreak of the Second World War, Oswald enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force as a Flight Rigger. On completing training at Laverton base in Victoria Ferguson was re-mustered as a metal rigger, then later as a fitter, gaining the rank of (temporary) flight sergeant.

In November 1939, Ferguson embarked at Sydney for overseas service. Arriving in England, he was one of the original members of No. 10 Squadron. A popular member of the squadron's ground staff, Ferguson worked as a fitter on the squadron's Sunderland aircraft at Mount Batten, Plymouth, and at Pembroke Dock.

In Volume IV of the Royal Australian Air Force's Official History of Australia in the War on 1939-1945, historian John Herington cited Ferguson as an example of the great credit that should be directed to ground staff who's teamwork and devotion to duty was essential to the success of air operations. Ferguson, Herington wrote:

... had repeatedly waived chances to return to Australia so that he might remain on duty with No. 10. His practical sense, ability to inspire his men, and single-minded determination to prevent any delays by working very long hours, or in bad conditions if necessary, had all led to a consistently high standard of serviceability.

For his service and devotion to duty Ferguson was Mentioned in Dispatches, which culminated with him being awarded the British Empire Medal on 8 June 1944. Unfortunately, Flight Sergeant Ferguson would not personally receive his medal. On 30 June 1944, whilst on sick leave, Ferguson was killed by a V-1 flying bomb that hit London.

At home in Goulburn the local newspaper, on reporting his death, spoke of his son, Graham, who was then nine years old. Oswald Ferguson, it wrote, had been Graham's hero since he had joined the Air Force six years previous. Graham had been only three years of age when his dad left for overseas service in England.

On 12 March 1945, the young Graham Ferguson, aged ten, was presented with his father's British Empire Medal at Admiralty House in Sydney.

The Goulburn Evening Standard described Flight Sergeant Ferguson as a "typical Australian and his name will go down among those who have paid the supreme sacrifice in the fight for freedom".

Oswald Ferguson's name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my left, along with more than 40,000 Australians killed in the Second World War.

This is but one of the many stories of courage and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Flight Sergeant Oswald Edward Ferguson, and all of those Australians - as well as our Allies and brothers in arms - who gave their lives during the Second World War.