Lieutenant Colonel Robert Munro Ferguson of Raith and Novar was born on 20th of August 1802 in Fife, Scotland to Ronald Craufurd Ferguson and Jean Munro. Having grown up in Muirton, Fife, he married Emma Elizabeth Mandeville on 17th of May 1859 at Westminster in London.

As an officer in the 79th Regiment of Foot, he rose to become Colonel of the regiment (which he commanded from 1835 to 1841) and eventually an Army General. He was elected as a Liberal MP and served from 1841 to 1862 as MP for Kirkcaldy. As an MP he was supportive of electoral reform, wanted universal and free schooling for all and less Income Tax.

His son Ronald Munro Ferguson, 1st Viscount Novar, later became Governor General of Australia and then Secretary of State for Scotland. Robert Munro Ferguson is buried on a hilltop overlooking Raith Lake in Kirkcaldy.

Research by David Terron

This recruiting poster dates from the mid-nineteenth century, and is advertising for “steady young men… none but Scotch” to join the 79th or Cameron Highlanders. The poster lists recruiting parties in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dunfermline, Dundee, Aberdeen, and Wick, and Lieutenant Colonel Ferguson is named as the Commanding Officer.