Harrogate Herald - 7th November 1917

Roll of Honour

Gunner Joseph Ramsey, RFA, son of Mr & Mrs Joseph Ramsey, North Lodge Avenue, New Park, Harrogate, was killed in action on October 10th, 1917. He was last seen by his parents a year ago last Monday, when he returned to the Front from leave. Before the war he worked in the grocery department of the Harrogate and District Co-operative Society. His Major in a letter of sympathy to the bereaved parents gives the circumstances of his death : "With two other signallers he was chosen to go forward with an observing officer on the eve of the last attack on the 11th inst. They were to pass the night in a forward dugout, following up the attacking infantry at dawn to flash back important news and keep the artillery informed of progress by electric lamp - under the orders of the officer; but the dugout was hit by a shell in the night, instantly killing the three signallers, including your son. He had always been a smart, good soldier while in the battery, and set a good example to the men he worked with. His loss is keenly felt by us all. His body is still buried by the ruins of the dugout, and the place is under constant and heavy artillery fire. After he next advance, his body will be recovered and properly buried by the chaplain. His grave will then be marked by a strong wooden cross bearing his name, unit, and the date of his death (10th). He can have suffered no pain at the time of his death". In a letter of sympathy from the directors of the Harrogate and district Co-operative Society, they say : "During the period he was employed by the society we always found him a good servant, and he was held in high esteem by his colleagues". A vote of condolence was passed to the family at the society's quarterly meeting. Gunner Ramsey was with the Co-operative Society seven years and two months. He commenced at New Park grocery as a boy on November 14th, 1906, at 5s per week, and after six years and three months service resigned to take up a position with Ellesmere Port Society on February 12th, 1913. he was two years and seven months away, and re-commenced service with the society on September 27th, 1915, after volunteering and being rejected for one of the Yorkshire cavalry regiments. he left on August 17th, 1916, to join HM service after rendering good service for eleven months at New Park, Regent Parade, and Starbeck branches.