WW1 GALLIPOLI CITY OF LONDON YEOMANRY MEDAL GROUP RAMSEY INSPECTOR RHODESIA BRITISH SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE

An attractive campaign group of five awarded to Detective Inspector C. D. Ramsey, British South Africa Police, late Machine Gun Corps and City of London Yeomanry and had the distinction of fighting in 5 theatres of war (Egypt, Turkey/Gallipoli, Salonika, Palestine & France). Post war he served in Rhodesia as a highly meticulous and colourful immigration officer and was decorated with a rare 'Bar' to the Colonial Police Long Service Medal by Sir Evelyn Baring in 1944.

1914 – 15 Star, impressed named 2801 PTE. C.D. RAMSEY. C. OF LOND. YEO.; British War and Victory Medals, impressed named 2802 CPL. C.D. RAMSEY. C. OF LOND. YEO.; British War Medal 1939 – 45, un named as issued; Colonial Police Long Service & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st 'Indiae: Imp:' type, with 25 Year Service Bar, period chisel engraved 2071 1^ST DET. SGT. C.D. RAMSEY. B.S.A.P. Swing mounted as worn. Comes with copies Medal Index Card, medal rolls & extensive research.

Charles Douglas Ramsey was born on the 2^nd December 1895 in London, the son of machinist Charles Douglas Ramsey and his wife, Emily Amy Ramsey, of 9 London Road, Battersea Park. Educated at the nearby Battersea Polytechnic Boy's Secondary School from September 1908, Ramsey transferred to Clarks College on 20 July 1910 and began to study for a 'Boy Club-ship'.

The 1911 census records him as a civil service student (aged 15). Unfortunately his WW1 records have not survived the ‘Blitz’ but it is known that he landed in Egypt on the 11/9/1915 and served with the 1^st City of London Yeomanry (Rough Riders) throughout the war. He was still serving with them as a Corporal when demobilised on 9/3/1919. The unit had become 103rd Battalion M.G.C. 1918.

During the war the City of London Yeomanry had fought on Gallipoli as dismounted infantry from August 1915 – November 1915. As Ramsey had landed in country on the 11/9/15 it is highly probable that he served on Gallipoli. On returning to Egypt the regiment was part of the Western Frontier Force fighting the Senussi (Arabs). The regiment served in Salonika November 1916 – June 1917 when it returned to Palestine and was involved in the heavy fighting as part of the Yeomanry Mounted Division. 17/4/1918 the Rough Riders & Sharp Shooters were merged to form E Battalion, M.G.C, was posted to France, arriving on 1 June 1918. On 17 August 1918 it was renumbered as 103rd (City & 3rd County of London Yeomanry) Battalion, MGC.

Corporal Ramsey had the distinction of fighting in 5 theatres of war: Egypt, Turkey (Gallipoli), Salonika, Palestine & France.

Having spent 5 years in South Africa, Ramsey and his new wife Hilda returned to London aboard the S.S. Garth Castle, embarking from Cape Town on 26 July 1924. The ship's register notes the young couple's intention to live at 158 Lavender Hill, Clapham Common. However, it appears that they did not stay long, likely on account of the English weather and missing family in South Africa. Initially appointed a Constable in Gwelo, by 1932 Charles was working for the Bulawayo C.I.D. and watching over immigration into Rhodesia. As parents to a newborn baby, Peter John Ramsey, the couple did make a brief foray back to England in order to see family, but this remained nothing more than a holiday - Charles's occupation being stated as Immigration Officer.

Returning to Rhodesia, Charles and forty three colleagues spent the 1930s carefully policing all those coming into and out of Bulawayo, much of this achieved on bicycle and through what we term today as 'good old fashioned policing', based heavily upon social interaction and building relationships with local people. Awarded the Bar to his Long Service Medal from the hand of the Governor in August 1944 (The Outpost, refers, with picture in article), Ramsey retired from the B.S.A.P. on 1 July 1946 and transferred to pension in the rank of Detective Inspector. It is believed that he later took a job with the Rhodesia Railways working as a clerk, a likely step for a man who enjoyed social interaction and was well-versed in both the good and ills in people. He died at Bulawayo on 11 February 1951

After discharging he attested for the British South Africa Police (B.S.A.P.) 11/11/1919 as Trooper 2071. He married and remained in the B.S.A.P. but transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (C.I.D.) retiring as a Detective Inspector C.I.D. on the 1/7/1946. He had been awarded the clasp to his Colonial Police Long Service Medal August 1944. He died in Bulawayo 11/2/1951.