Contributed by Ron Inglis, October 2021:
Paper ruler/bookbinder Charles John Ramsay, 33, lived with his wife Joan and children Bruce and Alan in Pine Road, Auburn. Ramsay enlisted on 18 January 1916, stating his previous military experience as ‘10½ years, 1st Reg. NSW Scottish Rifles. 6 weeks Garrison Military Police.’
Having completed an officer-training course at Duntroon, Canberra, Ramsay was commissioned Second Lieutenant and embarked on the Benalla in November 1916, arriving in Devonport, United Kingdom, two months later. A further eight months was spent in England, including OTC Officer Training School Tidworth, Durrington.
Ramsay proceeded to France in August 1917, one year and eight months after enlistment and was taken on strength of the 39th Battalion. Promoted to First Lieutenant in September 1917, Ramsay survived the 3rd Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) and died when manning a defensive position on 1 December 1917.
Ramsay was originally buried in the Chateau Rosenberg Military Cemetery, but was transferred when the property owners objected to having a military cemetery on their land. Ramsay was reinterred in the Berks Cemetery Extension. The Berks Cemetery is on the Belgian side of the French/Belgian border and has 873 identified graves, 180 of which are Australian.
Charles Ramsay, along with six other Auburn Memorial men, was a member of the United Ancient Order of Druids, Liberty Plains Lodge whose diligent secretary lived at 51 Auburn Road, Auburn.
Charles Ramsay is honoured on the following memorials in Australia:
- Auburn War Memorial
- Municipality of Auburn 1914-1919 Honour Roll
- Roll of Honour Australian War Memorial Canberra
His decorations:
- British War Medal 1914-20
- Victory Medal
