Alan Ramsay
Encyclopedia
Major General
Sir Alan Hollick Ramsay (12 March 1895–19 September 1973), CBE, CB, DSO, ED, was a soldier in the Australian Army
, who served in the First World War and was a general during the Second World War. He was mentioned in dispatches three times.
, a suburb of Melbourne
, Ramsay was the eldest of five children. He attended Melbourne Continuation (High) School, where he participated in the cadets. Upon completion of his education, Ramsay became a probationary teacher in 1912 for the Victorian Education Department. By 1915, he was teaching at the primary school at Cowleys Creek, a small township south of Melbourne, near Timboon
.
(AIF) on 1 October 1915, and was deployed to the Middle East
with the 4th Field Artillery Brigade. He served in Egypt
until March 1916, at which time he was transferred to the Western Front
. He was promoted, firstly to corporal
in early 1917, and then within six months to sergeant
. He ended his term with the AIF on 2 August 1919 as a Lieutenant
, having been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal
the previous year.
, and then later at Essendon High School and Coburg High School. At the same time, he was studying towards a Diploma of Education
(Dip.Ed), having already earned a Bachelor of Science
(BSc) degree in 1923. In December 1924, he married Edna Mary Watson with whom he would have two children. Ramsay had maintained an interest in military service, and was part of the Militia
. In 1930, while still a teacher but now at University High School
, he was appointed commander of the 10th Field Artillery Brigade (Militia).
, Ramsay was an acting colonel
commanding the 4th Divisional Artillery. On 13 October, he joined the newly formed Second Australian Imperial Force
(AIF), and placed in command of the 2nd Battery of the 2nd Field Regiment. By October of the following year, he was a brigadier
. When the division embarked to the Middle East
, he was in charge of the artillery of the 9th Division. He saw action during the siege of Tobruk
and as a result of his conduct there, he was made a Commander of the British Empire
(CBE). He also planned the artillery barrage that supported the 9th Division's actions on 30 October during the Second Battle of El Alamein
. This required the co-ordination of 360 guns across fifteen regiments, and the outstanding success of his plan caught the attention of the artillery commander of the Eighth Army
. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order
(DSO) in 1943 as well as being mentioned in dispatches.
Considered briefly for command of the 9th Division, Ramsay instead returned to Australia in February 1943, and in June was placed in command of the artillery of II Corps which had been originally formed in 1942 for the defence of Australia and was now intended for operations in the South West Pacific Area
. In January 1944, he was made a temporary major general
and appointed commander of the 5th Division, which was then serving in the New Guinea campaign
. He went to command the division during the New Britain campaign, an operation intended to tie down Japanese troops then largely based at Rabaul
. He briefly left the division to take over the 11th Division
, then on Bougainville
, from Allan Boase
in April 1945, before returning to the 5th Division in July. He was mentioned in dispatches twice during his time in command of the 5th Division, as well as being made a Companion of the Order of the Bath
(CB). He ended his term with the AIF upon the disbandment of II Corps on 26 September 1945, and was placed in the Reserve of Officers.
.
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Sir Alan Hollick Ramsay (12 March 1895–19 September 1973), CBE, CB, DSO, ED, was a soldier in the Australian Army
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
, who served in the First World War and was a general during the Second World War. He was mentioned in dispatches three times.
Early Life
Born in Windsor, VictoriaWindsor, Victoria
Windsor is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 5 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Stonnington. At the 2006 Census, Windsor had a population of 6394....
, a suburb of Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Ramsay was the eldest of five children. He attended Melbourne Continuation (High) School, where he participated in the cadets. Upon completion of his education, Ramsay became a probationary teacher in 1912 for the Victorian Education Department. By 1915, he was teaching at the primary school at Cowleys Creek, a small township south of Melbourne, near Timboon
Timboon, Victoria
Timboon is a town in Victoria, Australia approximately south-west of Melbourne. The main industries are dairying, forestry, and the production of lime.At the 2001 census, Timboon had a population of 787...
.
First World War
Ramsay enlisted with the Australian Imperial ForceAustralian Imperial Force
The Australian Imperial Force was the name given to all-volunteer Australian Army forces dispatched to fight overseas during World War I and World War II.* First Australian Imperial Force * Second Australian Imperial Force...
(AIF) on 1 October 1915, and was deployed to the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
with the 4th Field Artillery Brigade. He served in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
until March 1916, at which time he was transferred to the Western Front
Western Front (World War I)
Following the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by first invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. The tide of the advance was dramatically turned with the Battle of the Marne...
. He was promoted, firstly to corporal
Corporal
Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4....
in early 1917, and then within six months to sergeant
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
. He ended his term with the AIF on 2 August 1919 as a Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
, having been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (United Kingdom)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a silver medal for distinguished service, or for gallantry, principally by non-commissioned officers of all of the British armed forces and of Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service.-Summary:...
the previous year.
Interwar period
Ramsay returned to his teaching career, firstly at Lee Street State School in Carlton, VictoriaCarlton, Victoria
Carlton is an inner city suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 2 km north from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Melbourne...
, and then later at Essendon High School and Coburg High School. At the same time, he was studying towards a Diploma of Education
Diploma of Education
The Diploma of Education, often abbreviated to DipEd or GradDipEd, is a postgraduate qualification offered in many Commonwealth countries including Australia, Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom...
(Dip.Ed), having already earned a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
(BSc) degree in 1923. In December 1924, he married Edna Mary Watson with whom he would have two children. Ramsay had maintained an interest in military service, and was part of the Militia
Australian Army Reserve
The Australian Army Reserve is a collective name given to the reserve units of the Australian Army. Since the Federation of Australia in 1901, the reserve military force has been known by many names, including the Citizens Forces, the Citizen Military Forces, the Militia and, unofficially, the...
. In 1930, while still a teacher but now at University High School
University High School
-Canada:* University Hill Secondary School, Vancouver, British Columbia-Arizona:* University High School , Arizona* University High School , Arizona-California:* University High School , California...
, he was appointed commander of the 10th Field Artillery Brigade (Militia).
Second World War
At the time of the outbreak of the Second World WarWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Ramsay was an acting colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
commanding the 4th Divisional Artillery. On 13 October, he joined the newly formed Second Australian Imperial Force
Second Australian Imperial Force
The Second Australian Imperial Force was the name given to the volunteer personnel of the Australian Army in World War II. Under the Defence Act , neither the part-time Militia nor the full-time Permanent Military Force could serve outside Australia or its territories unless they volunteered to...
(AIF), and placed in command of the 2nd Battery of the 2nd Field Regiment. By October of the following year, he was a brigadier
Brigadier
Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
. When the division embarked to the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, he was in charge of the artillery of the 9th Division. He saw action during the siege of Tobruk
Siege of Tobruk
The siege of Tobruk was a confrontation that lasted 240 days between Axis and Allied forces in North Africa during the Western Desert Campaign of the Second World War...
and as a result of his conduct there, he was made a Commander of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(CBE). He also planned the artillery barrage that supported the 9th Division's actions on 30 October during the Second Battle of El Alamein
Second Battle of El Alamein
The Second Battle of El Alamein marked a major turning point in the Western Desert Campaign of the Second World War. The battle took place over 20 days from 23 October – 11 November 1942. The First Battle of El Alamein had stalled the Axis advance. Thereafter, Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery...
. This required the co-ordination of 360 guns across fifteen regiments, and the outstanding success of his plan caught the attention of the artillery commander of the Eighth Army
Eighth Army
A number of nations have, or have had, an Eighth Army:* Eighth Route Army, a Chinese Communist force that fought against the Japanese during World War II* Eighth Army * Eighth Army...
. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
(DSO) in 1943 as well as being mentioned in dispatches.
Considered briefly for command of the 9th Division, Ramsay instead returned to Australia in February 1943, and in June was placed in command of the artillery of II Corps which had been originally formed in 1942 for the defence of Australia and was now intended for operations in the South West Pacific Area
South West Pacific Area
South West Pacific Area was the name given to the Allied supreme military command in the South West Pacific Theatre of World War II. It was one of four major Allied commands in the Pacific theatres of World War II, during 1942–45...
. In January 1944, he was made a temporary major general
Major General (Australia)
Major General is a senior rank of the Australian Army, and was created as a direct equivalent of the British military rank of Major General. It is the third-highest active rank of the Australian Army, and is considered to be equivalent to a two-star rank...
and appointed commander of the 5th Division, which was then serving in the New Guinea campaign
New Guinea campaign
The New Guinea campaign was one of the major military campaigns of World War II.Before the war, the island of New Guinea was split between:...
. He went to command the division during the New Britain campaign, an operation intended to tie down Japanese troops then largely based at Rabaul
Rabaul
Rabaul is a township in East New Britain province, Papua New Guinea. The town was the provincial capital and most important settlement in the province until it was destroyed in 1994 by falling ash of a volcanic eruption. During the eruption, ash was sent thousands of metres into the air and the...
. He briefly left the division to take over the 11th Division
11th Division (Australia)
The 11th Division was an Australian Army unit formed during World War II by the redesignation of Milne Force on 1 October 1942. The division saw action in New Britain...
, then on Bougainville
Bougainville
-People:*Louis Antoine de Bougainville , French navigator, explorer and military commander*Hyacinthe de Bougainville , French naval officer and son of Louis Antoine de Bougainville-Places:...
, from Allan Boase
Allan Boase
Major General Allan Joseph Boase , CBE, was a soldier in the Australian Army, who served in the First World War and was a general during the Second World War.-Early Life:...
in April 1945, before returning to the 5th Division in July. He was mentioned in dispatches twice during his time in command of the 5th Division, as well as being made a Companion of the Order of the Bath
Order of the Bath
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
(CB). He ended his term with the AIF upon the disbandment of II Corps on 26 September 1945, and was placed in the Reserve of Officers.
Later Life
Returning to civilian life, Ramsay was appointed principal of Melbourne High School in 1946 and remaining in the position until May 1948 at which time he was made Director of Education for Victoria. Charged with re-organising the education system after years of funding neglect due to the war, Ramsay introduced a number of programmes directed towards teacher recruitment and training as well as improving the infrastructure of state schools. He retired in 1960 and was knighted the following year. Alan Hollick Ramsay died on 19 September 1973 in Armadale, VictoriaArmadale, Victoria
Armadale is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 7 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Stonnington. At the 2006 Census, Armadale had a population of 8,467....
.