TOPIC:

Hi Steve,

I hope you don't mind but a couple of interesting clues in trying to trace him down:

1. Next to Regiment it states: C in C BG Engineers (at least I think that's what it says - I could be wrong)

2. There is a Henry Green from Cape Town born circa 1872 who was a Plumber who could be a possibility:

Full Marriage Cert:


The signatures are close but I still have my doubt:

Attestation Papers:


Marriage Cert:


The Henry Green above passed away in 1917 in Benoni:


Just a thought and good luck with the research.

Hi Shaun. Apologies for the late response!
I really don't mind, I welcome all and any contribution/leads to any of my posts. Many thanks for yours.

I had seen the plumber on Family search, but like you I am not convinced.

Difficult to make out the writing on the medal roll.

It looks like Mr. Green will remain an enigma for the time being!

Cheers Steve.

22586 TROOPER WALTER JOHN RAMSAY: COMMANDER IN CHIEF'S BODYGUARD

Walter John Ramsay was born in Pietermaritzburg on 21st August 1883 to parents Walter Brunton Ramsay, a 28 year old contractor, and 19 year old Rosie Ellen Ramsay (nee Lavender).

Walter was baptised on 29th November 1886 at Durban.

He was later joined by brothers Allan George (born 1886 and died young on 6th January 1919 in Tanzania) and Stuart Collinson (born 1894).

Moving on to 1899 when war erupted in South Africa between the mighty British Empire and the two Boer republics of Transvaal and the Orange Free State, Walter was only a couple of months past his sixteenth birthday and it wasn't until 19th November 1900, when at 17 years old, he volunteered to join the conflict by attesting to the Commander in Chief's Bodyguard at Pietermaritzburg. He served with the regiment until his discharge at Johannesburg on 16th May 1901. This is the only record of Anglo Boer War service that I can find for him.

Whilst researching Walter John Ramsay I came across a newspaper article erroneously reporting his demise following the disastrous ambush of the bodyguard at Reitz in which the commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel David Tyrie Laing was killed in action.

From "The Courier", Friday, January 11, 1901. I quote:

"THE MISHAP TO COLONIAL BODYGUARD.

The Medical Officer at Heilbron reports that twenty-eight wounded of the Commander in Chief's Bodyguard arrived there on 5th January. Corporal A. L. Stanton, Captain Alexander Butter, and 22586 Private W. Ramsay, have died of wounds. The wounded state that Colonel Laing was killed, and that Lieut. Von Schade died of wounds. Lieutenant Donald Walker Robertson, Commander in Chief's Bodyguard, is in hospital at Kroonstadt suffering from gunshot wound in the chest. Condition improving."

The unfortunate W. Ramsay referred to in the above was in fact Sergeant Major W. Ramsay (22583) who was attached to the bodyguard from the Scots Guards (regimental number 8906). So, another incorrect report from the seat of war. One would hope that Walter's nearest and dearest knew that he was safe before hearing this news!

For his Boer War service Walter received the Queen's South Africa medal with clasps Orange Free State, Transvaal and South Africa 1901 (WO100/243).

In World War One he served as a Lieutenant and ended the conflict as Captain with the King's African Rifles and South African Motorcycle Corps in German South West Africa..
For this service he earned the trio of Great War medals, namely 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. The medal trio I have with Ramsay's group appear to be very shiny replacements!




Medal group of Walter John Ramsay.


His index card tells us that he suffered from pyorrhoea at discharge from KAR and received communications at P. O. Box 103, Crown Mines, Johannesburg.

And so ends Walter's military career.

Back in peacetime Durban he married Winifred Archer Bowyer on 31st December 1927. He was 44 years old. Winifred was 28.
The union was blessed with a single child born in 1929, Jean Lynette Ramsay.

At some point the family resided in Johannesburg as evidenced by the Death Certificate for Winifred dated 21st January 1936. She was just 36 years and 10 months old when she passed away in Kensington Sanatorium Johannesburg. The family were recorded residing at 167 Woburn Avenue, Benoni, Transvaal. Not far from Jo'burg.

It is highly likely that Ramsay may have been involved in the further development of the city for a number of years. To what purpose I do not know, but make this assumption due to an invitation addressed to W. J. Ramsay as a pioneer of Johannesburg which came with his medal group. Also included was a medallion commemorating the anniversary of the founding of the city.

Walter John Ramsay died on 25th February 1957 aged 73 at ETWKINI, Durban.
Invitation to festival celebration.

Johannesburg medallion obverse.


Johannesburg medallion reverse.




References

Familysearch
Ancestry
Findmypast
djb for attestation document