Photo: Brian Chandler
45741 Private
G Ramsey
Yorkshire Regiment
8 December 1918
also in loving memory of
21837 Private C.A. Ramsey
Durham Light Infantry
8 October 1916
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
George Ramsey was the eldest of his siblings, 4 brothers, 3 sister and had 3 half siblings from his father David Ramsey’s first marriage. David Ramsey, listed as surname Ramsay, born in 1853 at North Hylton, a suburb of Sunderland, County Durham, was married in 1872 in the district of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland to Ellen Witton, native of Cockermouth, Cumberland, born 1854. Their son William Matthew was born at Bell’s Close, August 21st 1874, John Witton 1876, both at Walbottle, and Sarah Ellen 1883 at Whorlton, all in Northumberland.
Ellen Ramsey nee Witton died in the district of Castle Ward, Northumberland, during the 4th quarter (Oct/Nov/Dec) 1888, aged 35 years. David re-married at St. Andrews, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, August 17th 1889 to Margaret Owens born May 30th 1868, Cambuslang, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, the eldest child of David Owens and Marion Drummond, who had moved to the outskirts of Newcastle-upon-Tyne post 1881. George was born at Ponteland in 1889, Margaret 1890 in the village of Kenton, in 1891 they were living at 9, Slatyford, where David Ramsey and sons William (17) and John (16) were employed as coal miners. Margaret gave birth to Marion, June 10th 1891, Charles Albert, during the 2nd quarter (Apr/May/Jun) 1896, both at Cowgate, Mary Jane 1898, Wilfred 1903 and Norman Drummond, July 28th 1909 at Westerhope. In 1911 David spent the night in the home of widow Margaret Moss with her adopted daughter Sarah Jobling at 15, Page Street, locality unspecified, although his family home consisted of 3 rooms at Benson’s Buildings, Westerhope, Northumberland. Charles Albert (15) and George (22) had now joined their father and elder brothers at the colliery above ground working in the lamp cabin, William Ramsey (38) having lost his wife after under one year of marriage had returned to the family home. David and Margaret’s son Cecil was born in 1913.
When war was declared in 1914 George attempted to enlist 3 or 4 times, including November 29th 1915 at Scotton near Harrogate, Yorkshire, where he was posted to the 23rd Durham Light Infantry as Private 146 until being discharged after only 9 days, December 7th 1915, under King’s Regulation 392(iii), “not being likely to become an efficient soldier.” Since childhood George had suffered from bronchitis, however, such was his persistence to serve he was eventually accepted, July 15th 1917, at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland and assigned as Private 45741 joining the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion Yorkshire Regiment at Richmond, before posting, August 8th to the 8th (Service) Battalion, departing to France, August 10th 1917, joining his regiment in the field where he was posted August 28th 1917 to the 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment.
Wounded, right forearm, October 9th 1917, Private Ramsey was shipped back to England on the 12th and hospitalised for 2 months. During his hospital stay his bronchitis condition was noted to be troublesome and after his wound became worse George was transferred to the 1st Northern General Hospital at Newcastle , December 13th 1917, but his bronchitis did not improve after treatment. It was concluded by the Medical Board that his condition had been aggravated by exposure to cold during his war service, Private Ramsey was discharged under King’s Regulations 392(xvi), “no longer physically fit for service,” April 12th 1918 and awarded a pension of 27 shillings 6 pence a weeks as of April 13th, initially for 26 weeks and after a second examination reduced to 5 shillings 6 pence for a further 22 weeks, due to a degree of disability attributed as 20%, a consequence of suffering from bronchitis.
Private 45741 George Ramsay Yorkshire Regiment of Benson’s Buildings, Westerhope, Northumberland, died as a consequent of bronchitis and heart failure, December 12th 1918, he was 29 years of age and single. He was interred with full military honours within Lexington Cemetery, Northumberland, grave V. C. 3110.
His mother commissioned an additional inscription to be added to his military headstone at a cost of 18 shillings 4 pence dedicated to the memory of his younger brother Charles Albert who had died of wounds in the service of his County in 1916, it reads, “Also In Memory Of 21837 Pte. C. A. Ramsey Durham Light Infantry 8th October 1916.”
David Ramsey died aged 79 years in 1929, registered in the district of Castle Ward, Northumberland. His widow Margaret in 1939 was living at 87, West Avenue, Newburn. She and daughter Marion were supported by William Matthew working as a colliery rolley-man, Norman Drummond a builder’s labourer and Gilbert Ramsey born March 18th 1922, (mother Ramsey) a market gardener.
Margaret Ramsey nee Owens died aged 75 years in 1944 registered at Northumberland South.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Acknowledgements: Ron Carson
George Ramsey is remembered at Westerhope on W77.01 and at Whorlton on W53.01
