Alexander Ramsay (Royal Navy officer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Admiral The Honourable
Sir Alexander Ramsay
|
|
|---|---|
Ramsay in 1918
|
|
| Born | 29 May 1881 London, England |
| Died | 8 October 1972 (aged 91) Windlesham, Surrey, England |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1894–1942 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands held | East Indies Station HMS Furious |
| Battles/wars | First World War Second World War |
| Awards | Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Distinguished Service Order |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Relations | Alexander Ramsay of Mar (son) John Ramsay, 13th Earl of Dalhousie (father) Lady Ida Louise Bennet (mother) |
Admiral Sir Alexander Robert Maule Ramsay (born May 29, 1881 – died October 8, 1972) was an officer in the Royal Navy. He was married to Princess Patricia of Connaught, who was the youngest child of Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn. Prince Arthur was the third son of Queen Victoria. Sir Alexander served bravely during the First World War and held important roles in naval aviation in the 1920s and 1930s.
Contents
Alexander Ramsay was born in London. His father was John Ramsay, 13th Earl of Dalhousie. In 1894, Alexander joined the Royal Navy as a cadet. This was the first step to becoming a naval officer.
He began his sea service on HMS Majestic. By 1900, he became a sub-lieutenant. He served on different cruisers, including HMS Diadem and HMS Grafton. In 1902, he was promoted to lieutenant.
In 1911, he became a naval aide to the Duke of Connaught, who was then the Governor General of Canada. He returned to active duty in 1913. He became the gunnery officer for Indefatigable in the Mediterranean.
World War I Service
Ramsay played a part in important naval actions during the First World War. He was involved in attacking the Dardanelles forts in 1914. He also served during the Gallipoli Campaign. For his brave actions there, he received the Distinguished Service Order.
He was promoted to commander in late 1914. In 1916, he became the flag commander of the Second Squadron. After the war, in 1919, he became a captain. He then worked as a naval representative in Paris for three years.
Marriage to a Princess
On February 27, 1919, Captain Ramsay married Princess Patricia of Connaught. Their wedding took place at Westminster Abbey. The entire British Royal Family attended the ceremony.
On her wedding day, Princess Patricia chose to give up her title of "Princess of Great Britain and Ireland." She also gave up the style "Royal Highness." Instead, she became known as "Lady Patricia Ramsay." Even though she gave up her royal title, the couple remained close to the British Royal Family. They attended many important royal events for the next 40 years. This included the 1947 wedding of Princess Elizabeth (who later became Queen Elizabeth II).
Alexander and Patricia had one son, named Alexander Ramsay of Mar.
In 1928, Ramsay took command of the aircraft carrier HMS Furious. This ship was part of the Atlantic Fleet. He was promoted to rear admiral in 1933. For the next five years, he was in charge of the aircraft carriers in the fleet. In January 1936, he became a vice-admiral.
From 1936 to 1938, Ramsay served as commander-in-chief of the East Indies Station. After that, he became the Fifth Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Air Services. He held this important position until the start of the Second World War. In December 1939, he was promoted to admiral. He retired from the navy in 1942.
Awards and Honours
Ramsay received several important awards for his service:
- He was given the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in March 1916 for his excellent service during naval operations.
- He became a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) in 1932.
- In 1934, he was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB). This was upgraded to Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in 1937, during the time of King George VI's Coronation.
- In 1938, King George VI made him a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO). This was a very high honour.
Later Life and Death
Admiral Sir Alexander Ramsay passed away at his home in Windlesham, Surrey, on October 8, 1972. He was buried at the Royal Burial Ground, Frogmore.
