Rachel was born on 29th December 1886. She was the daughter of John Stewart Ferguson and Annie Ferguson of Lanebrook House, Ballygoney, Coagh. Rachel was educated at Ballygoney National School and Lady’s School, Cookstown. She trained at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast where she qualified as a Staff Nurse. She was serving in Italy until May of 1918 when she was given leave for fourteen days. She re-joined No: 62 General Hospital on 25th May 1918 but on 26th June she was admitted there as a patient, suffering from bronco-pneumonia. She was by now dangerously ill and died later that day. She is buried in Plot 2, Row B-, Grave 7 at Bordighera Cemetery in Italy.

Exit the A10 motorway at Bordighera and follow the signs in the direction of San Remo - this road leads east along the coast. Pass a small yacht harbour on your right and take the second left after the yacht harbour, following Commission signs. The cemetery is 350 metres on the left, within Bordighera Main Communal Cemetery. This is a CWGC cemetery with its own entrance and is permanently open. Cemetery address: Via al Campo Santo - 18012 Bordighera (IM).