Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Alfred Mercer Ramsey was born in 1887 as the son of Joseph Ramsey and Sarah Mercer. Alfred grew up in Kadina, South Australia. Alfred studied pharmacy and became an apprentice of J.P. Stevens, was a chemist. He was an apprentice of Mr Stevens for four years. Mr Ramsey was also married to a woman by the name of Florence Lilly Hunter. Together they lived at 68 Kent Street in the suburb of Norwood, South Australia.

In September of 1914 Alfred made the choice to enlist in the war effort. He enlisted at Morphettville and was at enlistment 27 years and 5 months old,  5 feet 10 inches, and weighed 70.31 kilograms. He had grey eyes and dark hair. Mr Ramsey was also a believer in the Methodist faith. Alfred was appointed to the 1st Australian Stationary Hospital (1st A.S.H.) upon enlistment to serve as a pharmacist and was designated the rank sergeant.

Ramsey may have enlisted in the war due to government propaganda or maybe the encouragement of friends or family. Ramsey may have also felt the need to join the war as a way to help other Australian soldiers and to visit other parts of the world.

On the 5th of December 1914 Alfred embarked on the HMAS Kyarra, along with the 1st Australian General Hospital and other units of the A.A.M.C. By the 30th of January 1915 Ramsey was admitted to the 1st A.S.H. and began active service at Murdos in Lemnos, Greece.

The Stationary Hospital consisted of few buildings. Most of those in the hospital were placed into tent wards surrounding the central hospital buildings. The hospital was built on dirt ground and was mostly unfloored. Whilst in Gallipoli and later on in Greece it could have been very cold. Later on in Egypt it could have been very hot.

As a pharmacist, it would have been Alfred’s job to dispense medication to doctors and patients, which could have ranged anywhere from laxatives to general anaesthetics and antibiotics. As a pharmacists Alfred would have also provided first aid and preformed other nurse-like duties around the hospital. Pharmacists would usually work close with doctors and nurses to monitor patients, check prescriptions and look over the patients’ medical records.

Alfred did not stay in Lemnos for very long and embarked on another ship, this time the 1st A.S.H. was to redeploy behind the Gallipoli Front. To have the services of the 1st A.S.H. would have been very beneficial to the soldiers on the front lines of Gallipoli. During his time in Gallipoli he was promoted to the position of staff sergeant. Ramsey Stayed at Gallipoli until the campaign was seized and then moved with the 1st A.S.H. out of Gallipoli, embarking the HT Downsgau. Alfred then disembarked the HT Downsgau, arriving in Alexandria, Eygpt. Alfred remained in Alexandria and continued his work as a pharmacist at the 1st A.S.H. Ramsey remained in Egypt for another eight months before being detached from the 1st A.S.H. and embarking aboard the HMT Warilda, travelling to England.

A month later Ramsey arrived in Dartford Kent, England and was admitted to the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital on the fourth of October 1916. Alfred continued to work as a pharmacist at the hospital until he was promoted to a Honorary Lieutenant on the 18th of January 1918. From then on Ramsey acted as a pharmaceutical officer. He would have kept the same responsibilities as he did before, but now with the added edition of supervising other pharmacists, looking after hospital inventory and more control over the medicines patients were dispensed. Not long after his promotion Alfred was admitted to service at the 3rd Australian General Hospital in London. 

After the War ended on the 11th of November 1918 Alfred remained at the 3rd Australian General Hospital, most likely to continue to provide medicine amongst other things, to recuperating soldiers from the war. On the 1st of January 1919 Ramsey was ordered to return home as his appointment in the AIF would be terminated in a few months due to the “Cessation of Hostilities”. Ramsey would return to Australia via the HMS Argyshire on the 28th of January that year.

Alfred Mercer Ramsey returned home alive from the war to his wife, friends and family. He would later die in Adelaide in the year 1970. 

Alfred Mercer Ramsey was a soldier in the war, he however did not fight with a rifle and blade, but instead with syringe and syrup. Sometimes not credited much, the doctors, nurses and pharmacists alike were just as important in the war effort as those who fought on the frontlines. The Great War was bloody and tragic. It would have taken the collective strength and spirit of everyone to rise up against the enemy and come out victorious. Because of this I find Alfred to have demonstrated ANZAC spirit in the way that he bravely enlisted to come to the aid of his comrades and other fellow ANZAC’s fighting the war. He could not hold a rifle but he was behind the scenes helping the injured and sic, showing true mateship in that way.

His work would have included treating those with diseases, those who suffered trauma and gas attacks, and he would have done so to the best of his ability. For that, his country is grateful for his service in this time of great agony and triumph.