b. 06/04/1884 Glasgow, Scotland. d. ?
DATE OF AM ACTION: 07/01/1908 Bristol.
John Ramsay was born in Glasgow, Scotland on 6th April 1884. He joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 6th August 1901. He was promoted to Able Seaman in 1903, and at the time of his Albert Medal action in 1908, he was on the books of HMS Vivid I. He was presented with his Albert Medal by King Edward VII on 21st July 1908. He was discharged from the Navy on 5th April 1914, and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve the following day. He was recalled to service following the outbreak of the Great War, and served on a variety of ships, mostly notably on HMS Illustrious between August 1914 and November 1915. He was invalided out of service on 22nd November 1917. Little else is known about his life post service.
AM CITATION:
Early on the morning of the 7th January last, when the 12.57 A.M. down mail train was approaching Temple Meads Station, Bristol, a Marine, W. Howat, belonging to His Majesty’s Ship ” Donegal,” fell from the platform. Howat’s perilous position was observed by Ramsay, who at once jumped down to his assistance. The approaching train was only about sixty feet distant at the time, but he succeeded, though at the imminent risk of his own life, in dragging the fallen man back to the platform as the train passed the spot.
BURIAL LOCATION: UNKNOWN.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: BEING SOLD AT NOONANS ON 24TH MAY 2023 – ESTIMATE £6,000-£8,000.
Acknowledgement:
Allan Stanistreet – Image of John Ramsay AM.
Noonans – Image of his Albert Medal prior to auction.