Thomas Mavin Ramshaw

Thomas Mavin Ramshaw, one of 8 children, all of whom survived, was the 3rd born of 6 sons and 2 daughters. His father William Ramshaw born September 17th 1870 at South Hetton, County Durham, married during the 2nd quarter 1891, in the district of Sunderland, to Mary Elizabeth Greenwell of Haswell, County Durham, born September 8th 1869. William Jnr was born at South Hetton in 1892 where his father was employed as a joiner, Charles Frederick in 1895 at Sunderland, Thomas Mavin, May 6th 1896 and Arthur Edmond 1899 at Haswell, Edwin, October 27th 1900, Evelyn 1902, Ernest Vivian 1905 and Mary Elizabeth 1906 at Sunderland. William’s work must as taken him away from home as in 1911 his wife is listed as married and head of the household at 99, Fulwell Road, Sunderland. William Jnr (19) was employed by a shipbuilder as a ship’s draftsman apprentice, his brother Charles Frederick (16) an apprentice joiner and Thomas Marvin (14) was a messenger at a cafe, their younger siblings were all scholars.

Thomas went on to have a career in the Merchant Service where he served during WW1, awarded campaign medals, unspecified. Although several of his brothers would also have been eligible for service during WW1 only the details of his eldest brother Sergeant William Greenwell Ramshaw Durham Light Infantry have survived. He died of wounds, May 24th 1915 whilst on active service in Belgium.

Post war Thomas remained at sea gaining certificates of competency, December 24th 1921 and December 12th 1925 as Master of a foreign-going steamship in the Merchant Service. During WW2 he served with the Merchant Navy 1939-1945 and was discharged with number 936135. His younger brother Arthur Edmund Ramshaw perished, October 23rd 1940, whilst serving as Chief Officer with the Merchant Navy.

Thomas Mavin Ramshaw died aged 73 years in 1969, registered in the district of Sunderland.

In 1939 his parents, William, a retired joiner, and Mary Elizabeth Ramshaw were living at 43, Whinfield Road, Darlington, County Durham. Details of their demise, unknown.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace