Ferguson, Clifford Samuel

Leading Aircraftman (Pilot U/T)

No. 1109099, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Killed in an aircraft accident on Wednesday 21 May 1941 (aged 19)

Buried:

Holywood Cemetery, Co. Down (Grave 1217)

Commemorated:

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Holywood and District War Memorial (as C.S.F. Ferguson)

Sullivan Upper School, Holywood

Ferguson family grave headstone in Holywood Cemetery

BIOGRAPHY

Clifford Samuel Ferguson was born on 5 March 1922 and he was the eldest son of Frederick William and Eva Ferguson (nee Hollywood) who lived in Ardlee Avenue, Holywood.  Frederick Ferguson was a salesman/commercial traveller and he and Eva Hollywood were married on 5 January 1921 in Knock Methodist Church, Belfast.  Clifford Samuel Ferguson was educated privately before going to Sullivan Upper School, Holywood on 1 September 1931.  He left school in June 1939 and joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

Leading Aircraftman Clifford Samuel Ferguson (No. 1109099) was 19 and unmarried when he died on 21 May 1941 as a result of an aircraft accident at RAF Little Rissington in Gloucestershire and he was buried in Holywood Cemetery.

Leading Aircraftman Clifford Samuel Ferguson (No. 1109099) is commemorated on Holywood and District War Memorial (as C.S.F. Ferguson) and in Sullivan Upper School, Holywood.

Below his name, which is inscribed on the surround of the Ferguson family grave in Holywood Cemetery, there is an inscription:

YOUNG, STRONG AND FREE

Also buried in the Ferguson family grave were his paternal grandparents, Samuel James and Elizabeth Ferguson who lived at 27 Church View, Holywood.  Samuel Ferguson was a grocer and general merchant and he died on 18 March 1939.  Elizabeth Ferguson died on 6 February 1941 so neither knew about the death of their grandson.  Samuel and Elizabeth Ferguson had three children two of whom died in infancy – their daughter Evelyn died on 2 March 1894 and their son Norman died on 22 October 1895.

Leading Aircraftman Clifford Samuel Ferguson was a second cousin of Sub-Lieutenant (A) David Francis Apperson Hollywood who died in service on 15 September 1943.