Subject

Soldier. Born Thomas Riversdale Colyer-Fergusson a the site of the W1 plaque. He was an acting captain in the 2nd Battalion, The Northamptonshire Regiment. During the Battle of Pilckem Ridge at Bellewaarde, Belgium, with only a sergeant and five other men, he succeeded in capturing an enemy trench and a machine gun, which he managed to turn on the gunners. Later, assisted only by his sergeant, he captured a second machine gun. He was killed soon after by a sniper's bullet. For his actions, he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

In 1924 his father, also Thomas, inherited the baronetcy of Spitalhaugh (now extinct). His brother Max died in WW2.