War Reserve Constable William Ferguson – Motherwell & Wishaw Burgh Police

We recently came in to possession of a photograph and items of uniform of an officer thought to have been stationed in Lanarkshire.

Following some research we identified the officer as War reserve Constable William Ferguson of Motherwell & Wishaw Burgh Police Collar No 206.

Constable Ferguson worked mostly in the Craigneuk area of Wishaw, living nearby in Quarry St.

William was born on the 7th of January 1907 at Alexandra Place, Low Main Street, Wishaw. His father was a steel worker. William lived his entire life in the area never married and never drove.

He would have joined as a Full time War Reserve Constable around 1941 and would have served until 1945. The War Reserve was established to address the issue of regular officers being called to the armed forces during World War II.

Indeed on the 12th of June 1941 the Womens Auxillary Police Corp (WAPC) of Motherwell & Wishaw Burgh Police was established under the Command of Commandant Mrs Fotheringham. She in her charge 16 WAPC’s.

It is not recorded what happened to Constable Ferguson after the war. He was awarded the WW2 Defence medal for his service.

He died in 1991 aged 86 years and was living in Hawthorn Drive, Wishaw.

Note:

Thanks to Mr John O’Hara, the nephew of Constable Ferguson, for the photograph and equipment.