| Ferrier | James Archibald | | Captain | FERRIER, JAMES ARCHIBALD, Captain, was horn 25 March 1854, at Malacca, Straits Settlements, son of Major Hay Ferrier, of Belsyde, Linlithgowshire, and of Catherine Maria, daughter of E de Wind. He was educated at St James's Collegiate School, Jersey, and at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich; was gazetted to the Royal Engineers on 9 January 1873, and joined the Royal Engineers 15 September 1873, as Lieutenant. He served in the Afghan War, 1878-80 (Medal). In 1884-85 he served in the Sudan Expedition (Nile), and received the Sudan Medal with Nile clasp, and the Khedive's Bronze Star. He was promoted to Captain 8 January 1885, and again saw active service in the Sudan in 1885-86, with the Frontier Field Force. He was specially mentioned, War Office letter, Royal Engineers, No 7700/4100, dated HQ, WO, 2 April 1886, for his services when commanding the defence of Ambigole Wells, in December 1885, against an incursion of Dervishes, who destroyed two and a half miles of the railway between Wady Haifa and the advanced base at Akasheh. He was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 26 November 1886]: "James Archibald Ferrier, Captain, Royal Engineers. For the action at Ginniss". The Insignia were presented to him by Her Majesty Queen Victoria. He was mentioned in Despatches for the action of Ginniss. From 1888 to 1892 Captain Ferrier was Adjutant, Royal Engineers. He was promoted to Major 3 May 1892. Major Ferrier served in the Tirah Campaign, 1897-98, as Field Engineer, 1st Division, and afterwards on the Staff as Brigade Major. He was present at the capture of the Sampagha and Arhanga Passes, and in the operations against the Khani Khel Chamkanis, and in the operations in the Bazar Valley 25 to 30 December 1897. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 5 April 1898]; was given the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel 20 May 1898, and received the Medal with two clasps. From 1899 to 1903, he commanded the Training Battalion Royal Engineers; and from 1903 to 1904, was CRE, Natal, and in charge of Intelligence. He commanded troops in Natal, April to August 1904. From 1905 to 1908 he was Chief Engineer, Eastern Coast Defences; and he was created a CB in 1907. He was Commandant, SME, Chatham, 1908 to 1910, and was promoted to Major General 5 June 1910. From 1911 to 1914, he commanded the troops on the West Coast of Africa. In the European War General Ferrier was Garrison Commander (Coast Defences) 5 May 1915 to 16 February 1917. His services were acknowledged in the London Gazette of 24 February 1917. He retired 17 February 1918. On 1 November 1887, at Watford, Herts, General Ferrier married Louisa Emily, second daughter of J F Watkins, JP for Herts, and of Annie McMaster Shaw (Watkins), and their children were: Hay Ferrier, born 28 April 1889, Captain, Indian Army; Tyrrell Ferrier, born 2 May 1890, Captain, AOD, Inspector of Ordnance Machinery, and Alan Ferrier, MC, born 20 May 1894, Captain, Royal Engineers.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Royal Engineers |
