William James RAMSDALE was born on Thursday, 21st September 1893 above the shop at 215 Icknield Street, Hockley, Birmingham. He was a printer by trade and on Sunday, 31st July 1921 married Elsie MASON, born at 10:00 on Sunday, 27th September 1896 at Back 116, Heaton Street, Birmingham, one of twin daughters born to George MASON and Sophia NEWMAN in St. Silas Parish Church, Lozells, Birmingham. The witnesses to the marriage were Elsie's only brother George and younger twin sister Nellie. At the time of their marriage William James RAMSDALE resided at 81 Alexandra Road, Handsworth, Birmingham.
Elsie RAMSDALE (née MASON) died in the East Birmingham Hospital, Bordsley Green, Birmingham on Thursday, 15th May 1975. Her cause of death was (1) bronchopneumonia due to recumbency following fractured left femur, (2) fall at home, (3) accidental death: "Certificate received from G. Billington, Coroner for Birmingham District. Inquest held (Monday) 19th May 1975." William died in Birmingham on Saturday, 16th January 1982. Their last home was 46 Sheppey Drive, Chelmsley Wood, West Midlands.
William James RAMSDALE also died of bronchopneumonia at East Birmingham Hospital on Friday, 15th January 1982. Their last home was 46 Sheppey Drive, Chelmsley Wood, West Midlands.
Outward clinical symptoms of bronchopneumonia can include fever, coughing, chest pain, chest congestion, chills, difficulty with breathing and blood-streaked mucus that is coughed up. Upon diagnosis, most people will be treated at home with antibiotics. If the patient has a severe case of bronchopneumonia, he or she may be treated in the hospital where the illness can be more closely monitored. With appropriate treatment, most people recover fully within a couple of weeks. Bronchopneumonia is more common in elderly people who can die from bronchopneumonia if they do not get appropriate treatment.
Children
- Mabel Elsie RAMSDALE, born on Saturday, 6 December 1924
- Robert William RAMSDALE, born on Monday, 3 December 1928
Mabel Elsie RAMSDALE, born on Saturday, 6 December 1924, married Horace BRIDGES on Saturday, 12 June 1948.
Children
- Helen BRIDGES, born on Saturday, 5 March 1955, married Richard HUGHES on Saturday, 19 July 1975
Robert William RAMSDALE (1928 to 2011)
Robert William RAMSDALE was born on Monday, 3rd December 1928 in Birmingham. He was a mechanical engineer by profession and was awarded the OBE in 1986 for services to CATSA (Confectionery and Allied Trades Association charity). On Saturday, 8th August 1953 he married Mary Thornton ARTHUR (born on Saturday, 22nd November 1930 at 15 Rookwood Gardens, Greenside, Ryton-on-Tyne, Durham, the daughter of George ARTHUR and Isabella SHRIGLEY). Mary's occupation was dental hygienist and primary school teacher (Deputy Head).
Mary Thornton ARTHUR, Women's Auxiliary Air Force service number 2809145, enlisted 'after June 1947', met Robert William RAMSDALE in the officers mess at RAF Halton in June 1953 when she woke Robert William RAMSDALE (asleep in an armchair) to offer him a glass of champagne from a bottle she had won in a raffle. Both were doing their National Service at RAF Halton. Robert William RAMSDALE's "whole-time service" period was two years as required by the National Service Act 1947 and National Service Amendment Act 1948. Mary Thornton ARTHUR was enrolled in the Institute of Dental Health and Training (RAF Halton) with the rank of Pilot Officer and Robert William RAMSDALE was a Flying Officer teaching mechanical engineering to RAF recruits.
Following a six-week "whirlwind" romance they were married in the Parish Church, Halton on Saturday, 8th August 1953 by the RAF Chaplain, R. Mitchell in the presence of John W. BUTLER and Alma Cassie SERMAN. Also present were William James RAMSDALE (printer) and George ARTHUR (Army).
After the ceremony and reception the married couple travelled to Penzance airport where they took a de Havilland D.H.89A Dragon Rapide (G-AFEZ) to fly to St Mary's for a two week honeymoon on the Isles of Scilly staying at the Atlantic Hotel, Hugh Town, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly TR21 0PL (01720 422 417) where David Robert RAMSDALE was conceived during the period 9th to 17th August 1953 (born 6th May 1954).
The Reverend Robert Walker Skating on Duddingston Loch, Henry Raeburn (1790s)
Mary Thornton's favourite painting
Mary Thornton ARTHUR died on Saturday, 20th August 2005 at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Wonford, Exeter. The cause of her death was (a) bilateral bronchopneumonia and (b) left sided rib fractures (natural causes).
Robert William RAMSDALE died on Tuesday, 25th January 2011 at "Winkfield", Swan Hill Road, Colyford near Colyton, Devon. The cause of his death was (a) bronchopneumonia and (b) chronic kidney disease.
Children
- David Robert RAMSDALE, born in Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Hospital, Halton Camp, Wendover, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire (Lat 51:46:08N Lon 00:43:40W) on Thursday, 6th May 1954 was baptised on Sunday, 6th May 1956 in the Church of the Ascension, The Avenue, Wembley HA9 9QL
- Alison Jane RAMSDALE born Wednesday, 7th December 1955, also baptised on Sunday, 6th May 1956
At the time of his baptism, David's parents lived at 263a Preston Road, Wembley in Middlesex. The Godparents were George SERMAN, John and Eileen BUTLER. He was a barrister (now retired) and was married (and divorced) twice:
- to Susan Joy COOPER (born on Monday, 28th September 1953) on Thursday, 23rd September 1976 at Ranmoor parish church, Sheffield in south Yorkshire and divorced 1986 (Harlow); and
- on Saturday, 12th October 1991, in Honiton, Devon, to Maria Eugenia Rojas PEREIRA, occupation artist (born Saturday, 4th April 1959 in Cochabamba, Cercado, Bolivia, the daughter of Mario Alfredo Rojas DUARTE and Maria Eugenia Pereira DURAN) and divorced in 1999.
Ranmoor Parish Church