31366: Hugh Ramsay, Gordon Highlanders
Creators: name: Project Team, Lest We Forget
Publisher: name: University of Oxford
Year: 2024
Subjects: classificationCode: 430304
subject: British history
classificationCode: 430308
subject: European history (excl. British, classical Greek and Roman)
classificationCode: 430316
subject: International history

description: Hugh Ramsay was my father. He was born 28 April 1898 at Stonehaven, Kincardineshire, the son of William Ramsay and Josephine Leslie Ramsay, nee Matthews. The Ramsay family had a draper's business for many years in Stonehaven. Hugh signed up when he was 17 on the 28th October 1914 to join the 7th Gordon Highlanders. I have his attestation paper and a form to be filled up and signed by the soldier. He served in the First World War at Banchory, Kincardineshire, Scone, Perthshire and Blairgowrie, Perthshire, all in Scotland. This was followed by Taverham, Norwich, Witton Camp (North Walsham), Kelling and Cromer, all in Norfolk, England. I have a document dated 16/4/1915 which indicates that his unit was to move to a camp at Scone, Perthshire. I have a medical note dated 17/6/15 signed by a doctor saying that Hugh is unfit for duty and recommending leave for 10 days. I have a typewritten extract from a newspaper, dated 25/10/15 about the closure of Scone Camp as well as a poem about the closure.From Hugh's time at Blairgowrie I have the programmes of Grand Military Concerts held in the Drill Hall, Blairgowrie, on Thursday, 2nd March, 1916, and Friday, 3rd March, 1916.I have some poems from Taverham Camp. I have the programme of the Highland Gathering held at Witton Park, North Walsham, on Thursday, August 9th, 1917. I have the programme of 192nd Infantry Brigade Headquarters Sergeants Mess Annual Dinner held on Saturday, December 15th, 1917, at "The Oaks", Harvey Lane, Norwich.I have a Transfer Statement of Clothing and Necessaries when Hugh Ramsay transferred from 2/5th Gordon Highlanders to 4th Res Battalion, dated 2.2.1918.I have a newspaper cutting from the Times, February 24, 1919. This lists the award of the Meritorious Service Medal, including Sgt Kidd. He was a comrade of Hugh at the Sergeant's Mess at Cromer. I have some photographs of soldiers and groups of soldiers in postcard format with little to identify who they are.The protection certificate and certificate of identity for a soldier not remaining with the colours for Hugh Ramsay was issued at Kinross and dated 16 May 1919. It gives his Regimental Number as 290588, rank Cpl, Regiment Gordon Highlanders and Born in the Year 1898. The National Health Insurance certificate for Hugh Ramsay gives date of enlistment as 28.10.1914 and date of discharge as 13.6.1919. The Certificate of Employment During the War for Hugh Ramsay indicates that he was Clerk in Bde H.Q. 192 Inf Bde from Feb. 1915 to May 1919. And that before enlistment he was a draper. The character reference says that Corpl Ramsay is of excellent character, he has worked hard and well, has a good memory, is a good typist and has a good system for general office routine; he is a very capable man. On 13th June 1919 he was demobilised due to an abundance of soldiers. His certificate of disembodiment is dated 13th June, 1919. I have a certificate of thanks for his service issued to Hugh by the Brigadier-General Commanding 192nd Infantry Brigade. It was issued on 15th May, 1919, at Brigade Headquarters, Cromer.I have some unused items from Hugh that relate to demobilisation. These are statements as to disability (Army form Z21), which has not been completed, a voucher for reduced rate railway ticket and the Out of Work Donation Policy. The vouchers inside the latter are unused.I have Hugh's medals. These are the 1914 Star, the British War Medal and the Victoria Medal.I have a Soldier's Pay Book for Hugh Ramsay, Soldier's Own Note Book and Diary for 1916, and Soldier's Own Note Book and Diary for 1918. Not much has been written in them so only a few pages have been copied.