Notes on soldier.
CANHAM, Bertram Clifford, Machine Gun Corps.
He was born 19th November 1895, 2nd son of Joseph & Mary CANHAM of The Chestnuts, Ramsey Mereside, joined the Bedfordshire Yeomany at the beginning of the War. Being transferred to the M.G.C., he served throughout the whole campaign on the Western Front in France and saw a great deal of fighting, and was gassed twice. This seriously affected the state of his health, and doubtless hastened his death. He died on 17th November 1926, aged 30 years, and was buried in Ramsey Cemetery. Besides the widow, Mrs. Marian (nee WRIGHT) CANHAM, who he married at Pondersbridge on 1st December 1924.
From a local newspaper - 25th November 1926 – RAMSET EX-SOLDIER’S DEATH. – FUNERAL OF MR. BERTRAM CANHAM. Within two days of his thirty-first birthday, Mr. Bertram Clifford Canham, second son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Canham, of The Chestnuts, Mereside, Ramsey, passed away at midnight, on Wednesday, November 17th. The deceased man, who had been married rather less than two years, was engaged with his father in Agriculture. He has been ill a year, but took to his bed only about a month before his death. At the commencement of the late war Mr. Canham joined the Beds Yeomanry, and served throughout the whole campaign on the Western Front in France. Being transferred to the machine gun corps, he saw a great deal of fighting, and was twice gassed. This seriously affected the state of his health, and doubtless hastened his death. The greatest sympathy will be felt with the bereaved young widow and deceased’s parents in their loss. When, about six years ago , the Memorial hall was opened at Mereside, Mr. Canham became the hon. Sec. Some time ago he was assisted in that position by Mr. J. Fountain, and [as announced in the ‘Hunts Post’ a few weeks ago], relinquished his post in consequence of ill health. There was a large gathering at the funeral , which took place at Ramsey cemetery on Monday afternoon. The Rev. J. E. Matthews [assistant curate at Ramsey Church] officiating. The coffin, which was of English oak, bore the inscription: ‘Bertram C. Canham born November 19th 1895 ; died November 17th 1926.’ The bearers were Messrs. W. Manchett and S. Wright [employees], and J. Fountain and P. Woodward.
The chief mourners were: Mrs. B. Canham, widow; Mr. S. Canham, brother; Mr. and Mrs. J. Canham; Miss Canham, sister; Mr. W. Speechley; Mrs. S. Canham; sister-in-law; the Misses R and E Newton, aunts; Mr. and Mrs. H. V. Garton, brother-in-law and sister-in-law; Mr. and Mrs. E. Donnison [Sheffield] brother-in-law and sister-in-law; Messrs. F. & J. Wright [Lincoln], brothers-in-law; Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Newton, Downham Market] Mr. and Mrs. Reg. Newton, Nordelph, Norfolk]; Mrs. S. Newton [Huntingdon]; Mrs. J. F. Davis; Mrs. Blayton; Mrs. John Caton; Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Newton; Mrs. W. palmer; Mr. and Mrs. J. Palmer; Mr. F. W. Figg [Godmanchester]; Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Gascoigne; Mr. W. Mattison [Bletchley]; Messrs. J. W. and H. Thompson [Coates]; Mr. and Mrs. John Whittome; Mr. and Mrs. S. Jones; Mr. W. W. Whittome; Messrs. J. Kirby; T. Barrett and C. Saunders, Hunter and H. Isley [representing the Ramsey Branch of the British Legion], Messrs E. Hildred, D. Barlow, Pattrick, J & I Richards, Mr. and Mrs. J. Abblitt, Mrs. T. Abblitt, Messrs. F & P Rosher, E. Richardson [Warboys], Mr. and Mrs. J. Mossman, Mrs. Mossman snr., Mr. J. Greenwood, Mrs. Beilby.
To my dearest Bert, from his devoted Marion. - To out dearest Bert, from his sorrowing father and mother. To dear Bert, with very much love, from Dollie and Will. With sincerest love to dear Bert, from Gladys and Stan. Dearest Bert from his loving aunties E and R Newton. In loving memory, from Ethel and Horrie and family. - To dear Bert, in loving memory, from May and Ernest [Sheffield]. - With love and deepest sympathy, from Mabel and Jack [Helpringham]With deepest sympathy, from Nellie and Frank [Lincoln]. - With love and sincere sympathy from auntie Tot and family, 26 Little Whyte. - In affectionate remembrance, from auntie Alice. - In kind remembrance, from auntie Lizzie and uncle Will Skeif. - - ith deepest sympathy, from aunt and family [Birmingham]. - With heartfelt sympathy, from auntie and uncle 84, High Street, Ramsey. - With deepest regret, from G. M. Whittome [Red House]. - With deepest sympathy E. Allpress.
CARDER, Reginald John – Private – 36092, 8th Service Bn. Gloucestershire Regt.
From Ramsey, born at Dullingham, near Newmarket, Cambs, son of William John & Sarah Jane CARDER, enlisted at Bedford. He died on Wednesday, 12th June 1918, aged 19 years, and is commemorated on the Soissons (British) Memorial, Aisne, France. [Not on Ramsey memorial]
CARTER, George – Corporal – 22705, 2nd Bn. Bedfordshire Regt.
He was the son of John & Alice (nee MOORE) CARTER of 8 Field Road, Ramsey, joined up at the beginning of the War. After some months, he was sent to a hospital in Birmingham suffering from pneumonia, where he lay for several weeks but recovering slightly, he was discharged from the Army and was sent home where he resumed his ordinary duties. Improving in health, he enlisted again, and shortly afterwards was sent to France where he was soon “in the thick of it”. Twelve months later a home leave was granted. Returning again to France, he was soon in action, when volunteers were asked for to clear out a party of the enemy, who were causing trouble. Cpl. CARTER readily answered the call, and with a Lewis gun, succeeded in driving out the enemy, killing 5 and putting the others to flight. For this action he was granted a further leave and a sum of money. He was killed in action on Saturday, 21st September 1918, aged about 24 years, and his grave is in the Unicorn Cemetery, Vend’Huile, Aisne, France. He had two brothers serving with the Colours in France.
George Edward CARTER, 13457 A/Sgt, C coy 4th Bedfordshire Rgt. Died of wounds 4-4-17, age 26. Son of James & Elizabeth Margaret Carter, Huntingdon. Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport, Pas de Calais, France.
CHAMBERLAIN, Douglas – 2nd Lieutenant, Leicestershire Regt.
He was born at Regents Park, London, grandson of Thomas & Alice CHAMBERLAIN of Ramsey, had spent most of his early years at Ramsey, and after attending Ramsey Grammar School he left to become a clerk with the Great Northern Railway. Being ambitious, he went to Australia in 1911 and after a short time working on a farm, he started a motor business in Sydney. At the outbreak of the War, he returned to England, joined the Leicestershire Regt. and was quickly given a commission. He was drafted to Egypt and later to Palestine, where he contracted dysentry and was invalided home in 1919 but never recovered. He died at The Queen Alexandra Military Hospital, Millbank, London, on Wednesday, 7th July 1920, aged 28 years, and was buried in Ramsey Cemetery.
CHAPMAN, Ernest John – Guardsman/Private – 15468, 2nd Bn. Grenadier Guards.
He was born 20th August 1893, son of John & Annie CHAPMAN of 71 Great Whyte, Ramsey, died of wounds received in action on Tuesday, 17th November 1914, aged 21 years, and his grave is in the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. He had been with the Grenadier Guards for three years. This was the first reported death of a Ramsey man caused through the War.
CHAPMAN, John Victor – Private – 17883, 9th Bn. East Surrey Regt.
He was born 24th September 1896 at Woodhurst, son of John William & Victoria Jane CHAPMAN of 72 Great Whyte, Ramsey, enlisted at Bury St. Edmunds. He was killed in action on Saturday, 14th October 1916, aged 20 years, and his grave is in the Villers Station Cemetery, Viller-au-Bois, Pas de Calais, France. [Also on Doddington (Cambs) memorial]
From a local newspaper dated 19/1/1917 - Huntingdonshire Casualties - The following casualties appear in the official lists:- DIED OF WOUNDS Pte. A. E. Clifton, Ramsey, Beds. Regt.
CLIFTON, Albert Ernest – Private – 43084, 1st Bn. Bedfordshire Regt.
He was born at Tansor, Northamptonshire, son of Frederick & Rebecca CLIFTON of Toll House Farm, Ramsey Hollow, enlisted at Huntingdon on 14th May 1915. He died of wounds on Tuesday, 5th September 1916, aged 21 years, and his grave is in the Guillemont Road Cemetery, Guillemont, Somme, France. Formerly 1303 Hunts. Cyclist Bn.
Cook - J.
From a local newspaper his name appears as having enlisted in the Army by June 10th 1915 – Cook, J., Huntingdonshire Cyclist Battalion.
CORNEY, Arthur David – Private – 32861, 1st Bn. Essex Regt.
of Ramsey St. Marys, second son of Alfred Arthur & Sarah Ann (nee BARNES) CORNEY, and sometime of The Queen’s Head, Whittlesey, died of wounds in the New Zealand Stationary Hospital, Amiens, France, on Saturday, 31st March 1917, aged 25 years, and was buried in the St. Pierre Cemetery, Amiens, Somme, France. [Also on Ramsey St. Marys memorial] Formerly 23606 Suffolk Regt.
CORNEY, Edward – Lance Corporal – 8951, 20th Hussars.
He was born at Peakirk, near Peterborough, son of Joseph & Sarah J. CORNEY of Ramsey St. Marys, enlisted at Bury St. Edmunds, and had been at the Front since the War started. He was killed in action when the Fifth Army was being driven back across the former Somme battlefields, on Saturday, 23rd March 1918, aged about 25 years, and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, which encloses the Pozieres British Cemetery, Somme, France. Mr. & Mrs. CORNEY had another son L/Cpl. John T. CORNEY serving with the 11th Bn. Suffolk Regt. [Also on Ramsey St. Marys memorial]
CORNEY, Leonard Alfred – Private – G.21042, 3rd Bn. East Kent Regt. (The Buffs).
From Ramsey St. Marys, born at Pondersbridge, son of Alfred Arthur & Sarah Ann CORNEY, enlisted at Huntingdon. He died at the Castle Mount Hospital, Dover, on Sunday, 11th March 1917, aged 19 years, and was buried in Ramsey St. Marys churchyard. [Also on Ramsey St. Marys memorial]
CORNEY, Sydney – Private – 216331, 27th Bn. Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regt.)
He was the son of Mary Ann (nee CORNEY) FULLER of New Fen, Ramsey St. Marys, and later of Lake Cottage, Ramsey Heights, emigrated to Canada but came back to England with the Canadian Regt. and went to France in March 1917. He was killed in action after being struck by a shell as he and a comrade were attempting to rescue their wounded Platoon Sergeant on the morning of Tuesday, 21st August 1917, aged 27 years, and his name is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. The memorial, unveiled by Edward VIII in July 1936, is Canada’s most impressive tribute overseas to those Canadians who fought and died during the First World War. He left a widow, Ida Emily (nee PALMER) CORNEY, who he had married at Ramsey on 13th January 1909, and also two young children living at 39 Field Terrace, Ramsey. [Also on Upwood memorial]
Pte. Sidney Corney, Canadians, Ramsey St. Marys, Killed.
His Regimental No. was 216331. He was born on the 9th September 1890.
CROFT, Arthur – Private – 203253, 4th Bn. Bedfordshire Regt.
He was the son of Thomas & Elizabeth (nee LILLEY) CROFT of Hern Road, Ramsey St. Marys, was killed in action on Tuesday, 30th October 1917, aged about 33 years, and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing, which forms the north-eastern boundary of the Tyne Cot Cemetery, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. [Also on Ramsey St. Marys memorial]
CROUCH, George William – Private – 105577 8th Bn. Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regt.)
He was born at Ramsey St. Marys, son of William & Sarah Ann (nee RATCLIFF) CROUCH of Underwoods, Pondersbridge, had emigrated to Canada and in December 1915 he enlisted at Regina, Saskatchewan, and came back to England with the Canadian regiment on the S.S. Olympic in May 1916 About five weeks later he was serving in France where he was killed in action on Tuesday, 26th September 1916, aged 22 years, and buried in the Regina Trench Cemetery, Grandcourt, Somme, France. [Also on Ramsey St. Marys & Pondersbridge memorials]
CUMBRIDGE, John Henry – Rifleman – S/5687, 11th Bn. Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort’s Own)
He was the youngest son of John & Eliza (nee WHITWELL) CUMBRIDGE of Ramsey Mereside, joined the Army in November 1914, and went to France the following July. He was killed in action on Wednesday, 8th December 1915, aged 21 years, and his grave is in the Rue-du-Bois Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix, Pas de Calais, France. A shell had caused the dug-out he was in to collapse, and he was killed instantly by a falling beam. [Added to Ramsey memorial; also on Pondersbridge & Whittlesey memorials]
CUMBRIDGE, John William – Private – 15329, 9th Bn. Suffolk Regt.
He was born at Holme, son of William & Sarah Ann (nee BRADFORD) CUMBRIDGE of Decrease Drove, Pondersbridge, was killed in action, dying instantly when he was hit by a shell, on Saturday, 5th May 1917, aged 23 years. His grave is in the Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, Pas de Calais, France. [Also on Pondersbridge memorial]
Notes on soldier.
Harry CADE, R.A.F. His name was inscribed on the original Wooden tablet in Sports Pavilion on Playing Field at Ramsey Grammar School. This memorial tablet is now located in the main Abbey building. This Pavilion was given to the School by Old Grammarians in proud and lasting memory of the fifteen Old Boys who lost their lives in World War II.
He was born 10th May 1912, the youngest son of Charles & Emma Jane (nee LANT) CADE of 58 High Street, Ramsey, was killed in action after a raid on Berlin on Monday night, 23rd August 1943, aged 31 years, and was buried in the Kiel War Cemetery, Germany. He joined up in August 1941, was trained in the Dominions and had been on operational flights over the previous four months. [Also on Ramsey Grammar School memorial] He is remembered on the Ramsey War Memorial.
CARRINGTON, Laurence Eric (Laurie) – Private – 14675604, 1st Bn. Hampshire Regiment.
He was born 9th March 1925, third son of Thomas & Ada Mary (nee APTHORPE) CARRINGTON of the Council Houses, Ramsey Heights, was killed in action in Normandy on Friday, 11th August 1944, aged 19 years, and was buried in the St. Charles de Percy War Cemetery, Calvados, France. His section had been ordered to take a piece of ground from which the enemy were giving much trouble, and it was in the advance he was caught in the fire from an enemy automatic and killed instantly, and was buried by the Padre the next day with two more of his comrades. Most of those buried in this cemetery died in the last day or two of July and the first two weeks of August 1944, when the British Forces broke out from the Normandy bridgehead and were later able to trap the Germans. Pte. CARRINGTON had been in the Army for less than a year, and had two older brothers serving. [Also on Ramsey St. Marys memorial] He is remembered on the Ramsey War Memorial.
COX, Harold – Private – 5837166, 2/5th Bn. The Queen’s Royal Regt. (West Surrey)
He was born 23rd August 1922, son of Harry & Letitia COX of 55 The Avenue, Ramsey, was reported to be in hospital seriously ill after being wounded in action in the Central Mediterranean theatre of war suffering from gunshot wounds in the head, arm and back, on 3rd February 1944. He died on Monday, 6th March 1944, aged 21 years, and was buried in the Naples War Cemetery, Italy. He had joined the Suffolk Regt. about two years previously and was attached to the “Queen’s”. Before joining the Army he was a canteen assistant at a local public works and a member of the Home Guard. Mr. & Mrs. COX also had two sons who served in the Royal Navy and another son was held a prisoner-of-war in Japanese hands. He is remembered on the Ramsey War Memorial.CULLIP, Cyril – Private – 14631379, 2/6th Bn. Queen’s Royal Regt. (West Surrey)
He was born 6th October 1924, the eldest son of Alfred George & Clara (nee ABRAMS) CULLIP of 30 Station Road, Ramsey, joined the Northamptonshire Regt. on 17th July 1943. After spending a short Christmas 1943 leave with his parents, he proceeded to the Front, and on 28th February 1944 he was reported to be seriously ill with gunshot wounds to his left foot and left arm, received while on active service in the Central Mediterranean theatre of war. He died on Wednesday, 1st March 1944, aged 19 years, and was buried in the Naples War Cemetery, Italy. Mr. & Mrs. CULLIP had three other sons. [Also a wall tablet in Ramsey Baptist Chapel] He is remembered on the Ramsey War Memorial.
Research by Joan Whitwell = No list of names commemorating the people of Ramsey who died as a cause that could be attributed to the two World Wars would be complete without the mention of those who lost their lives when an enemy aircraft dropped four high-explosive bombs on Ramsey Town at 23.12p.m. on Saturday night, 22nd August 1942. Bombs completely demolished two houses, and many others were so badly damaged by the blasts that the occupants had to be evacuated. Other buildings, including the Methodist Chapel, the Council School and the Telephone Exchange, were also damaged.
Hector Lewis CAMPBELL, aged 29 years, youngest son of Mrs. Laura Edith and the late Arthur William CAMPBELL of 38 High Street, was buried in Ramsey cemetery. He had been employed as a corn buyer & salesman etc. for Messrs. Herbert LARRATT & Co. Ltd. of Ramsey. Mrs. CAMPBELL had two other sons, Colin Featherstone CAMPBELL, who had lost his hairdressing business in the raid, and Maurice CAMPBELL. He was with Wilfred TATT that were in the street and dashed for a passage between two houses [next to 39 High Street] for shelter, when a bomb fell directly above them. They were buried beneath tons of masonry, and their bodies were not recovered until several hours later.
Research by Joan Whitwell = No list of names commemorating the people of Ramsey who died as a cause that could be attributed to the two World Wars would be complete without the mention of those who lost their lives when an enemy aircraft dropped four high-explosive bombs on Ramsey Town at 23.12p.m. on Saturday night, 22nd August 1942. Bombs completely demolished two houses, and many others were so badly damaged by the blasts that the occupants had to be evacuated. Other buildings, including the Methodist Chapel, the Council School and the Telephone Exchange, were also damaged.
Mrs. Emma CROSS of 34 High Street, was badly injured in her blast damaged home. The wife of Reggie CROSS, she was taken to hospital where she was put on the danger list, and died a short time later.
Research by Joan Whitwell = No list of names commemorating the people of Ramsey who died as a cause that could be attributed to the two World Wars would be complete without the mention of those who lost their lives when an enemy aircraft dropped four high-explosive bombs on Ramsey Town at 23.12p.m. on Saturday night, 22nd August 1942. Bombs completely demolished two houses, and many others were so badly damaged by the blasts that the occupants had to be evacuated. Other buildings, including the Methodist Chapel, the Council School and the Telephone Exchange, were also damaged.
Charles CRUMP, aged 81 years, and his wife Ada CRUMP, aged 73 years, were both killed when their home was demolished by a bomb. Two evacuees from London, they had been living with the Misses Clara & Drusilla HARRISON at 36 High Street, a large house adjoining the Methodist Chapel.
