William John Ferguson spent his boyhood in Cumbria and from there went to London to study medicine at Guy's Hospital, qualifying MRCS, LRCP in 1929 and MB BS in London in 1931. He embarked on a surgical career at once, passing his Fellowship in 1932 and his London MS in 1933, for which he was awarded the University Gold Medal. After completing his training at Guy's he joined the staff of the West Middlesex Hospital in 1935 as a surgical specialist. In those days general surgery embraced most disciplines and he was confronted by an enormous volume of work of infinite variety. As other specialists were appointed Ferguson developed special interests in the surgery of the gastro-intestinal and genito-urinary tracts, whilst still remaining a general surgeon. He worked during the years when duodenal ulcer was widespread and partial gastrectomy the standard treatment for it. His successful results and low mortality attracted many visitors to see his work. He was a swift, gentle and meticulous operator and proponent of hand-sewing; it was a joy to watch the speed and precision of his anastomoses. He was an early convert to the Millin technique for open prostatectomy, but also took to the McCarthy resectoscope soon after its introduction, becoming highly accomplished in its use. At a time when trainee surgeons from the old Commonwealth normally sought their higher training in Great Britain, a job on his firm was highly prized. Many Australian surgeons were trained by him. He was a shy person intensely fond of the country and of wild life. Together with his wife he created a beautiful garden which they tended lovingly. In his workshop he enjoyed using his hands making surgical equipment and in his sitting-room doing petit-point embroidery. He retired in 1966 having helped to change the West Middlesex from an 'infirmary' into a modern hospital. He returned to Cumbria where he died in July 1979 aged 73, survived by his wife, Frances.