Alan Ramsay
Sir Alan Hollick Ramsay | |
|---|---|
 Major General Alan Ramsay in New Britain, December 1944 | |
| Born | 12 March 1895 Windsor, Victoria |
| Died | 19 September 1973 (aged 78) Armadale, Victoria |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Service | Australian Army |
| Years of service | 1915–1946 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Service number | VX 27 |
| Commands | 11th Division (1945) 5th Division (1944–45) Royal Artillery, II Corps (1943–44) 9th Divisional Artillery (1940–43) Medium Artillery, I Corps (1940) 2/2nd Field Regiment (1939–40) 4th Divisional Artillery (1939) 2nd Medium Artillery Brigade (1938–39) 10th Field Artillery Brigade (1930–36) |
| Battles / wars |
|
| Awards | Commander of the Order of the British Empire (3)Distinguished Service Order Meritorious Service Medal Efficiency Decoration Mentioned in dispatches |
| Other work | Teacher, educationist |
Early life
Born on 12 March 1895 in
Military career
First World War
Ramsay enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force (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.[1]
Interwar period
Ramsay returned to his teaching career, firstly at Lee Street State School in Carlton, Victoria, and then later at Essendon High School and Coburg High School. At the same time, he was studying towards a Diploma of Education, having already earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1923. In December 1924, he married Edna Mary Watson with whom he had 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, Melbourne, he was appointed commander of the 10th Field Artillery Brigade (Militia).[1]
Second World War
By the outbreak of the
Ramsay returned to Australia in February 1943 and in June was placed in command of the artillery of
Later life
Returning to civilian life, Ramsay was appointed principal of Melbourne High School in 1946 and remained 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, Victoria.[1]
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g Gower, S. N. "Sir Alan Hollick Ramsay (1895–1973)". Ramsay, Sir Alan Hollick (1895–1973). Australian National University. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ^ Maughan 1966, p. 571.
- ^ "No. 35898". The London Gazette (Supplement). 9 February 1943. p. 743.
- ^ Maughan 1966, p. 615.
- ^ Dennis et al. 1995, p. 162.
References
- Dennis, Peter; Grey, Jeffrey; Morris, Ewan; Prior, Robin (1995). The Oxford Companion to Australian Military History (1st ed.). Melbourne, Victoria: Oxford University Press Australia & New Zealand. ISBN 0-19-553227-9.
- Maughan, Barton (1966). Tobruk and El Alamein. Australia in the War of 1939–1945. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Australia War Memorial. OCLC 954993.
