Robert Ramsay was born in Sarnia on March 20, 1912, the son of Percival Earl Ramsay (born in Wanstead, Ontario) and Jean Frances (nee Burr, born in Wanstead, Ontario) Ramsay, of 147 Kathleen Street, and later 294 Mitton Street, Sarnia. His parents, Percy and Jean, were married on September 14, 1919, in Wyoming, Ontario. Father Percy Ramsay’s occupation was a C.N.R. locomotive fireman and when Robert was five years old, his father was killed tragically in a railway collision east of Hamilton. Robert had a younger brother Melvin Henry (see above), who was to become a flying officer-navigator in the Royal Canadian Air Force and who would lose his life while serving. He also had two sisters: Dorothy Jean (born 1915), who would become Mrs. Allan Douglas, of London, Ontario; and Marion Earline Ramsay (born 1918), who would become a teacher at Johnston Memorial School.
Robert Ramsay was educated in Sarnia at Lochiel Street School and at Sarnia Collegiate. He then worked at Imperial Oil Limited for four years. In 1934, he attended Queen’s University at Kingston where he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree, graduating as a Mechanical Engineer in 1938. Robert took a position with the Canadian General Electric Company in Peterborough and was employed there for two years.
Residing in Peterborough, Ontario and single at the time, Robert enlisted in the Canadian Army in April 1940. He became a lieutenant in the 4th Battery stationed at Petawawa. After training at Ottawa for a short time he went overseas in June 1940, becoming an adjutant to No. 1 Holding Unit. While on the staff of the 1st Canadian Army, he was promoted to the rank of Captain in 1942. In August of 1942, he was able to visit with his brother Melvin while in England. Robert “Bob” was sent back to England and there attended Camberley Military College. Standing highest among the Canadians, he received first class honours while at this college in September 1943 and was promoted to the rank of Major. He became Chief of Staff to the Commander of the Royal Canadian Artillery attd. H.Q. 2nd Canadian Division.
Robert arrived in France in early July of 1944. Not long after, on August 31, 1944, Robert Ramsay would lose his life during fighting in Rouen, France, in the late stages of the Battle of Normandy. In early September of 1944, mother Jean Ramsay in Sarnia would receive a telegram from Ottawa informing her that her son, Major Robert Ramsay was killed in action in France on August 31. Beyond the fact that her son went to France early in July, Jean Ramsay had no further indication of where he might have met his death. Robert Ramsay would later be officially listed as, Overseas casualty, killed in action, in the field (France).
Major Robert Ramsey was awarded posthumously the decoration: Mention in Dispatches, as stated, The King has been graciously pleased to approve the award of Mentions in Dispatches in recognition of gallant and distinguished services. Thirty-two year old Robert Ramsay is buried in Calais Canadian War Cemetery, Leubringhen, France, Grave 8.C.7. On Robert Ramsay’s headstone are inscribed the words, They shall receive a glorious kingdom.
At the time of Robert’s’s death, his mother Jean was residing at 147 Kathleen Avenue, Sarnia. Eight months prior to Robert’s death, his mother Mrs. Jean Ramsay had lost her first son, RCAF Flying Officer Melvin Ramsay, who was killed in a flying accident in Iceland. In November of 1944, Mrs. Jean Ramsay offered a Sarnia Collegiate Institute scholarship in memory of her two sons who lost their lives in the war. The Sarnia Board of Education gratefully accepted the gift of $50, to be an annual scholarship in memory Robert and Melvin Ramsay. Both young men had graduated from the Collegiate Institute and both had belonged to the Central United Church. Mrs. Ramsay expressed that she would like the annual gift to be awarded to the boy attaining the highest standing in any nine Sarnia Collegiate departmental exams.
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, J, L, N, S, 2C, 2D