Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Donald Hugh Ramsey was born in Tumbarumba, New South Wales, Australia, on the 24th of March 1897. (1) Ramsey’s father was Hugh Still Ramsey, who worked as an ironmonger, and his mother was Millicent Evelyn Simpson. Ramsey also had two brothers, Alan Herbet Ramsey and Simpson Wallace Ramsey and one sister, Evelyn Millicent Ramsey. (2)

The majority of Ramsey’s boyhood was spent living with his family at 731 New Canterbury Road, Hurlstone Park, New South Wales. (3) In 1912, he commenced his education at Sydney Technical High School, where he demonstrated academic excellence, receiving academic prizes in Class 1A in 1912 and Class 2A in 1913. Following this, Ramsey completed his intermediate certificate on 18 May 1914, scoring a B or higher in all his subjects. In 1915, he pursued further studies by completing honours in Electricity and Magnetism Stage I and Fitting and Machine Stage I. (4) With his education completed, Ramsey then began his career as an electrical contractor. 

Donald Hugh Ramsey enlisted for service in World War 1 on 6th June, 1916, at Victoria Barracks, Paddington, entering as Private 2981 with the 45th Infantry Battalion, 7th Reinforcement, where he served as a signaller. (5) As a signaller, Ramsey carried a significant amount of gear and was responsible for military communications between the frontline and headquarters.

Ramsey embarked from Sydney on 8th November 1916 aboard the SS Port Nicholson and disembarked at Devonport, England, on 10th January 1917. After a few months, he proceeded overseas to France on 13th March 1917 to fight at the Western Front. (6) During Ramsey's service in France, he was severely injured when a machine gun bullet shattered his left thigh during the Battle of Messines, which was the first large-scale action involving the AIF in Belgium, on 12th June 1917. His leg was luckily saved as a passing orthopaedic surgeon at a casualty clearing station (CCS) opted against amputation, but instead evacuated him to England, where he was admitted to Folkestone Hospital. (7) Ramsey left Folkestone Hospital sometime between October and November 1917 and was repatriated to Australia aboard H.M.A.T. Anchises arriving on 3rd January, 1918. As a consequence of his medical unfitness, Ramsey was discharged from the Australian Imperial Forces on 12th February 1918. (8) 

 After World War I, Ramsey returned to his occupation as an electrical contractor. In 1919, he married Alice Victoria Hilton Browne at Newtown, and together they had a son, Donald Wallace Ramsey, born on 19th December, 1923, in Concord. (10) After this, he moved to a new address, 20 Rochester Street, Homebush, New South Wales, in 1930. Ramsey’s father, Hugh Still Ramsey, passed away in 1931 at Burwood, New South Wales. (11) Ramsey’s military experiences continued when he enlisted in World War 2 on August 20, 1940, as a Warrant Officer Class II, service number NX65433, (12) under the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME), despite being over the age and having one leg shorter than the other, displaying his considerable enjoyment in the field of electronics and fighting for Australia. (13) He was only able to enlist as the medical officer was an old friend and passed him as A1 without checking him. (14) Ramsey embarked for the Middle East in December 1940 and returned to Australia in March 1942. (15)

Between January and July 1943, Ramsey was transferred to the 2/7ths Australian Infantry Troops Workshops, then to the 1st Australian Workshop Company, and finally to the 1st Australian Watercraft Workshop, showing his expertise in the maintenance of military vehicles and machinery. (16) Ramsey finalised his war service overseas by embarking for Papua New Guinea in August 1943 and returning to Australia in March 1945. (17) Throughout the entirety of his World War 2 service, Ramsey was paid a 7/6ths a week disability pension from the First World War. (18) In October 1945, Ramsey was discharged from the Australian Imperial Force as a result of his long-service status, roughly 1987 days at war, which involved 1046 days of active service in Australia and 693 days of active service overseas. (19)

After World War 2, Ramsey continued his life in Australia. Unfortunately, in 1950, his mother passed away, and in 1969, his wife and son passed away from unknown causes. His brother, Simpson Wallace Ramsey, passed away in 1986, leaving him with only one brother. (20) Ramsey was known to always march on Anzac Day with the 45th Battalion, and he would also attend a second march in honour of his World War 2 comrades. Ramsey’s final march was held at Woy Woy, New South Wales, where he lived in retirement. (21) In 1992, Donald Hugh Ramsey passed away at the age of 95. 

Endnotes: 

1.Australian Commonwealth Military Forces Document 

2.Ibid

3.Ibid

4.Ibid

5.Ibid

6.Anonymous. Donald Hugh Ramsey Records 1897-1992. National Archives of Australia

7. Image of Donald Hugh Ramsey at Folkestone Hospital 

8.Anonymous. Donald Hugh Ramsey Records 1897-1992. National Archives of Australia

9.Ibid

10. Australian Electoral Roll 1930

11.Ibid

12.Anonymous. Donald Hugh Ramsey 1897-1992. Virtual War Memorial Australia. 

13. Grandson's statement on Donald Hugh Ramsey's life 

14.Ibid

15.Anonymous. Donald Hugh Ramsey Records 1897-1992. National Archives of Australia

16.Ibid

17.Ibid

18.Grandon's statement on Donald Hugh Ramsey's life 

19.Anonymous. Donald Hugh Ramsey Records 1897-1992. National Archives of Australia

20. Ancestery showing Donald Hugh Ramsey's family tree including siblings and parents 

21.Ibid