b. 1827 Edinburgh, Scotland. d. 29/12/1859 Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland.
Henry Ramage (1827-1859) was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1827. Ramage enlisted with the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Scots Greys) prior to the Crimean War. On the outbreak of war, he was posted to the Crimea.
Henry Ramage VC
On 26th October 1854, at the Battle of Balaklava, Ramage galloped out to the assistance of Private McPherson, also of the 2nd Dragoons, on seeing he was surrounded by seven Russians. He then dispersed the Russians and saved his comrade’s life. Also, later that day, when the Heavy Brigade was rallying, and the enemy retiring, finding his horse would not leave the ranks, dismounted and brought in a prisoner from the Russian lines; also for dismounted on the same day when the Heavy Brigade was covering the retreat of the Light Cavalry, and lifted from his horse Private Gardiner, who was disabled from a severe fracture of the leg by a round shot.
Sergeant Ramage then carried him to the rear under a very heavy cross-fire, thereby saving his life, the spot where he must inevitably have fallen having been immediately covered by Russian cavalry.
Ramage was awarded the VC in the London Gazette on 4th June 1858. Ramage also served in the Indian Mutiny. Sadly, Ramage passed away the following year, aged just 32 on 29th December 1859 in Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland. He was buried in an unmarked grave in Newbridge Cemetery.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: ROYAL SCOTS DRAGOONS MUSEUM, EDINBURGH.
BURIAL PLACE: NEWBRIDGE CEMETERY, COUNTY KILDARE, IRELAND. (UNMARKED GRAVE).
Acknowledgement:
Thomas Stewart – Image of the Ramage VC Display in Edinburgh Castle.