Charles 'Fella' David Ferguson

SOUTH AFRICA

According to his son's memoir, Fella grew up and went to school in Cathcart(up to sixth form according to 1952 Voters Registration), along with his sisters and brothers.

In 1919, they're living at No 32 Railway Cottage, Cathcart when his parents separate.

1920-1924, at some point the Ferguson's migrated north to Johannesburg.

MARRIAGE

Marriage Certificate in 1924, Johannesburg,

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C91V-KVRB?i=206&ca...

Feb 1924 and July 1925, when Fella was 21/22, Fella's daughter Iris is born in Johannesburg in 1924, and Charlie follows a year later.

1924 - https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GT7T-S6TS?i=51&wc=...

1925 - https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GT7T-S6FZ?i=12&wc=...

RHODESIA

In March 1930(confirmed on Voters Registration), Fella emigrated from Johannesburg to Rhodesia.

By 1932 Voters Register, Charles and Annie appear to be living at '108 Wilson St, Bulawayo'. Charles' job listed as Electo-Plater as per Charlie's Family Tree.

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLK-6S8T-M?i=379&cat=...

In between 1932-1938, Charles and Annie lived at 21 Main Street, according to 1938 re-registration.

In 1938(shortly before the war), Charles and Annie appear to be living at or at least registered to '68 Borrow Street, 5th Avenue, Bulawayo', with Charles' job still noted as Electo-Plater.

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLK-6S56-3?i=26&cat=4... https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLV-PS42-3?i=123&...

DURING THE WAR

During the war, Fella was living in Salisbury(as per Charlie's memoirs, he states the family joined Fella on Christmas Day 1939). Fella joined Police Reserves in September, 1939. In son's memoir he claims they were the first father and son to serve in Rhodesian African Rifles(RAR) where Fella was Staff Sargent. According to Wikipedia, RAR was a made up of the black African population but with officers made up of the white population.

Whilst Fella was an Electo-Plater by trade. It's unlikely he returned to this after the war as his occupations varied on the voters registrations from Shop Assistant at GH Williams & Co Ltd(1946-1954), Departmental Manager(1958), Warehouseman(1962) to Clerk(1966).

1940 to at least 1954 - Living at 3 Sumner Flats, Selous Avenue, Salisbury

In 1958, 44 Selous Avenue is crossed out and replaced with 33 Central Avenue.

By 1962, Fella was living at 118 Widdecombe Road, Cranborne, Salisbury where son Charlie had been living since 1949.

1946, Shop Assistant - https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLV-PSZH-J?i=121&...

1952, Shop Assistant - https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLV-PSZW-R?i=119&...

1958, Department Manager - https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLV-PSCQ-W?i=118&...

1962, Warehouseman - https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLV-PS4K-4?i=117&...

1966, Clerk - https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLV-PS88-3?i=115&...

ARMY SERVICE

A photograph of a young Fella is thought to be army uniform as Professor Ray Roberts of the University of Zimbabwe has said I have established that your father was not in the police at any time. As for the RAR there appears to be no roll as such. Still to be confirmed whether the photograph is from South Africa(aged 27 or under) or in Rhodesia(27 or older, and if so, more likely to be from his service in WWII).

Despite comments from Professor Ray Roberts, WeWereRhodesians.com states that he attested into the 'Police/BSAP/Police Reserves' on 28th August 1939(Service Number 205). RAR was then formed in May 1940.

In a photograph in his RAR uniform, his badge confirms he rose to at least Staff Sergeant/Company Quartermaster Sergeant(CQMS), at the Salisbury Depot.

Dad(Neil) - Remember's traveling up to Jo'burg by train with Ann, and met his Great Aunt Kate Schrambic once at what he presumes to be her little flat. Dad said the family were never backward in coming forward.

Charlie and Laura used to visit Ann and Fella routinely every Friday night he believes, and Ann used to call Laura through to the kitchen and 'run the whole family down', so Laura used to dread going round for a night full of 'skinnering'.

Pat - On revealing a family secret after Fella died. Pat recalls her father going through Ann's papers and pointed out to Iris a 'mistake' on the marriage certificate as the year didn't match the year they thought they married. Iris' husband pointed this out to Ann and she 'hit the roof' as they were 'busted', as Ann was 8 months pregnant with Iris when she got married(rather than consuming after the marriage). Pat later asked Ann what the story was and Ann said the pregnancy 'was deliberate so she could get out of the house, as her mother was very hard on Ann and the other daughter, Kate, was the favourite.

Pat also said that Fella's brother Alec 'lived by' Kate in Johannesburg.

DEATH

Fella died on the day the family gathered for the christening of his great grandchild, Carl. Grandson Charles Van Rooyen found him, in his favourite green chair after he'd taken Annie home.

Last known address, 136 Widdecombe Road, Queensdale.

Death Register,

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939N-CN9D-V1?i=81&cc=18...