Arnold Ferguson volunteered in April 1902 to serve in the South African War. He was attached to the 10th Contingent of the NZ Mounted Rifles and arrived in time for peace to be declared. He returned to Wellington and was discharged from service. In June 1905, Ferguson joined the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy as an Ordinary Seaman. He joined HMS Challenger attached to the Australasian Squadron. During his time with the Squadron, he also served in HM Ships Phoebe, Pioneer, and Pyramus. In 1908, he rejoined Challenger and transferred to the Stokers branch. He continued to serve as a stoker until his discharge in 1910.
At the outbreak of the First World War, Ferguson was mobilised and joined HMS Philomel in Wellington as a Naval Reserve Qualified Stoker. Philomel was to escort TSS Moeraki and TSS Monowai which were carrying troops for the occupation of German Samoa. He returned to Wellington and transferred to HMS Psyche which was part of the escort for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force troopships heading to Egypt. Psyche was relieved by Pyramus in Hobart and Ferguson returned to New Zealand where he was ‘temporarily discharged’ in November 1914. When he was called up again in 1918 his employer, the Hawke’s Bay Farmers Meat Company, successfully petitioned the posting as he was working in a ‘reserved occupation’ as a boiler room fireman.
The 1914-15 Star was awarded to servicemen and servicewomen who served in the First World War between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915 in any “theatre of war”, provided they had not qualified for the 1914 Star. This included service at Gallipoli between 25 April 1915 and 31 December 1915, service in Egypt between 5 November 1914 and 31 December 1915, and service during the capture of German Samoa on 29 August 1914. Those eligible for the medal must have “served on the establishment of a unit in a theatre of war” during the relevant dates of operations in that area. The ribbon’s red, white and blue shaded and watered bands represent the flag of the United Kingdom.
