John Ramsdale (circa 1689 to 1736)

Descendants & Ancestors

Index to Generations:

  1. Gilbarte BUTLER (1573 - 1652)
  2. Gilbert BUTLER (b. 1605)
  3. Hannah BUTLER (b. 1640)
  4. Anne WOODARD (b. 1666)
  5. John RAMSDALE (circa 1689 - 1736)
  6. John RAMSDALE (1719 - 1765)
  7. Samuel RAMSDALE (b. 1722)
  8. Edward RAMSDALE (1756 - 1835)
  9. Samuel RAMSDALE (1791 - 1859)
  10. Samuel RAMSDALE (1827 - 1891)
  11. George Samuel RAMSDALE (1859 - 1938)
  12. William James RAMSDALE (1893 - 1982)
  13. Robert William RAMSDALE (1928 - 2011)

Gilbarte BUTLER (1573 to 1652)

Gilbarte (Gilbert) BUTLER, born circa 1573 in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, married Margaret RYNALD on Saturday, 1 December 1599 in Bromsgrove.

Children

  1. Jhon BUTLER, baptised in Bromsgrove on Sunday, 7 December 1600
  2. Margrette BUTLER, baptised in Bromsgrove on Sunday, 3 April 1603
  3. Gilbert (Gylbarte) BUTLER, baptised in Bromsgrove on Tuesday, 2 July 1605
  4. William BUTLER, baptised in Bromsgrove on Sunday, 22 March 1607
  5. Elizabeth BUTLER, baptised in Bromsgrove Sunday, 15 December 1611
  6. Anthonie BUTLER, baptised in Bromsgrove on Thursday, 6 January 1614

John Gilbarte (Gilbert) BUTLER was buried in Bromsgrove Cemetery on Monday, 18 October 1652.

Gilbert BUTLER (b. 1605)

In or about 1628, Gilbert BUTLER married Elinore (surname unknown) in Bromsgrove.

Children

  1. Wilmus BUTLER was baptised in Bromsgrove on Thursday, 27 November 1628
  2. Margareta BUTLER was baptised in Bromsgrove on Saturday, 22 January 1631
  3. Samuellus BUTLER was baptised in Bromsgrove on Sunday, 15 June 1634
  4. Elizabetha BUTLER was baptised in Bromsgrove on Sunday, 18 December 1636
  5. Gilbertus BUTLER was baptised in Bromsgrove on Sunday, 21 May 1637
  6. Elizabetha BUTLER was baptised in Bromsgrove on Sunday, 23 December 1638
  7. Hanna BUTLER was baptised in Bromsgrove on Saturday, 25 April 1640

Hannah BUTLER (b. 1640)

Hanna BUTLER was baptised in Bromsgrove on Saturday, 25 April 1640. On Saturday, 29 April 1665 Hanna BUTLER married George WOODARD (baptised in Chaddesley Corbett, Worcestershire on Tuesday, 25 July 1643) in Chaddesley Corbett.

Children

  1. Anne WOODARD was baptised in Chaddesley Corbett on Sunday, 1 April 1666
  2. George WOODARD was baptised in Chaddesley Corbett on Friday, 1 February 1667
  3. Elizabeth WOODARD was baptised in Chaddesley Corbett on Thursday, 17 January 1673

George WOODARD was buried in St Cassian's Church [SO 89129 73594], Chaddesley Corbett on Sunday, 30 May 1675.



St. Cassian's Church, Chaddesley Corbett, Worcestershire

Anne WOODARD (b. 1666)




St. Michael and All Angels' Church, Cofton Hackett, Worcestershire [SP 01183 75354]

Samuell BLUN, son of William BLUN and Margerie, baptised in Cofton Hackett, Worcestershire on Thursday, 28 March 1633. Relationship to Samuell BLUN(NE) not known but possibly father (Samuell) and grandfather (William).

William BLUN and Margerie (date of marriage not known but circa 1629):

Children

Anne WOODARD was baptised in Chaddesley Corbett on Sunday, 1 April 1666. On Monday, 31 January 1687, Anne WOODARD married Samuell BLUN(NE) (date of birth not known but circa 1665) in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire (possibly Samuel Blun who was baptised in Cofton Hackett, Worcestershire in 1664).

Children

  1. Hannah BLUN was baptised in Bromsgrove on Friday, 19 July 1689
  2. Elizabeth BLUN was baptised in Bromsgrove on Friday, 1 April 1692
  3. Sarah BLUNE was baptised in Bromsgrove on Tuesday, 30 January 1694
  4. Samuell BLUNNE was baptised in Bromsgrove on Wednesday, 11 May 1698
  5. George BLUN was baptised in Bromsgrove on Friday, 26 January 1700

John RAMSDALE (1689 to 1736)

On Thursday, 23 April 1719 (St George's Day), Hannah BLUN the daughter of Samuel(l) BLUN(NE) and Anne WOODARD, married John RAMSDALE (date of birth not known but circa 1689 ?) after Banns in St John the Baptist Church, Bromsgrove [SO 95692 70678]. It is thought that

Children

  1. John RAMSDALE was baptised on Thursday, 26 February 1719 in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire.
  2. Samuel RAMSDALE, son of John and Hannah RAMSDALE, was baptised in Bromsgrove on Tuesday, 12 December 1721 (1722).

Possible dates of death for John RAMSDALE (born circa 1689) and Hannah RAMSDALE (née BLUN(NE):

The parish register for St John the Baptist, Bromsgrove has two burial entries under the name Hannah RAMSDALE as follows:

Date of Burial Forename Surname Age Church
29 December 1728 Hannah RAMSDALE (née BLUN ?) [not given] St John the Baptist, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
12 July 1795 Hannah RAMSDALE (née BAGLEY ?) [not given] St John the Baptist, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire

The parish register for St John the Baptist, Bromsgrove has four burial entries under the name John RAMSDALE as follows:

Date of Burial Forename Surname Age Church
10 May 1736 John RAMSDALE (husband of Hannah BLUN ?) [not given] St John the Baptist, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
3 July 1749 John RAMSDALE (first son of John RAMSDALE and Ann BATE) [not given] St John the Baptist, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
14 February 1765 John RAMSDALE (husband of Ann BATE and Elizabeth JONES ?) [not given] St John the Baptist, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
4 August 1782 John RAMSDALE (first son of John RAMSDALE and Elizabeth JONES ?) [not given] St John the Baptist, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire



St John the Baptist, Bromsgrove [SO 95692 70678]

John RAMSDALE (1719 - 1765)

John RAMSDALE was baptised on Thursday, 26 February 1719 in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire. On Monday, 11 May 1747 John RAMSDALE (age 28) married Ann BATE in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire after Banns.

Children

  1. John RAMSDALE, the son of John RAMSDALE and Ann BATE, was baptised in Bromsgrove on Sunday, 20 September 1747. He was buried in Bromsgrove on 3 July 1749;
  2. Ann RAMSDALE, the daughter of John RAMSDALE and Ann BATE, was baptised in Bromsgrove on Sunday, 29 October 1749;

    3. Ann RAMSDALE (née BATE) was buried at St John the Baptist Church, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire on Tuesday, 26 August 1757. John RAMSDALE (described as a labourer in the burial entries for his first wife Ann BATE and his daughter Mary) married Elizabeth JONES (baptised in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire on Sunday, 8 April 1739) on Thursday, 2 April 1758 in Bromsgrove.

  3. Mary RAMSDALE, the daughter of John RAMSDALE and Ann BATE, was baptised in Bromsgrove on Sunday, 29 May 1757. Mary was buried on Saturday, 9 July 1757 in St John Baptist Church, Bromsgrove.
  4. John RAMSDALE, the son of John RAMSDALE and Elizabeth JONES, was baptised in Bromsgrove on Monday, 30 April 1759.

John RAMSDALE is thought to have been buried on Thursday, 14 February 1765 in St John Baptist Church, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire. However, John ROMSDALL, son of John and Mary ROMSDALL, is also recorded as having been buried in Bromsgrove on 14 February 1765.

Miscellaneous contemporary records 1752 - 1765:

Samuel RAMSDALE (b.1721)






St Bartholomew's Church, Wednesbury [SO 98721 95338] (before 1827)



St Bartholomew's Church [interior] (before 1827)

Samuel RAMSDALE, baptised on Tuesday, 12 December 1721 (1722) in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, married Hannah BAGLEY at Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on Wednesday, 24 April 1751.

Hannah RAMSDALE (née BAGLEY) is believed to have been buried on Sunday, 12 July 1795 in St John Baptist Church, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire. However, another entry in the register of this church records a burial on Sunday, 1 February 1801 for Hannah RAMSDALE described as the "wife of Samuel, pauper, buried in St John Baptist Church, Bromsgrove."

Children

  1. Sarah RAMSDALE, baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on Monday, 1 March 1752.
  2. Joseph RAMSDALE, baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on Sunday, 16 December 1753. On Sunday, 27 October 1771 Joseph RAMSDALE married Anne ROWLASTON in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury.
  3. Edward RAMSDALE, baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on Sunday, 25 January 1756, married Hannah ROSS in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury on Saturday, 14 June 1777. Edward RAMSDALE is believed to have died in Staffordshire in 1835.

Wednesbury is one of the oldest parts of Sandwell. The "bury" part of the name indicates there may have been an Iron Age fort or "beorg" on Church Hill as long ago as 200BC, and the town was certainly a key defensive feature of the kingdom of Mercia.

In the Middle Ages the town was a rural village, with each family farming a strip of land and the heath nearby used for grazing. It was held by the King until the reign of Henry II, when it passed to the Heronville family. In the 14th century, while Wednesbury was still a farming community, local people began to mine their own coal and iron. By Tudor times, when local landowner William Paget was one of the most prominent men of the kingdom, pottery, metalwork and textiles were made. In the 17th century Wednesbury pottery, 'Wedgbury ware', was being sold as far afield as Worcester, while white clay from Monway Field was used to make tobacco pipes.

In the 18th century the town's main occupations were coal mining and nail making and with the canals came a big increase in population. The poor social conditions proved a fertile breeding ground for religious nonconformism, and in 1743 John Wesley first preached in the town. His views were not always well received - fears that he was trying to undermine society led to riots, and on one occasion he was chased out of the area.



Mr Albert Crane, one of the last Worcestershire nail makers, in 1951

Hand-Made Nails

Meccano Magazine, Volume XXXIX No 5, May 1954 by W. K. V. Gale

The making of nails by hand was a very old craft. References to nails made in Staffordshire, which eventually became the great centre of the trade, were made as early as the reign of King John, from 1199 to 1216. The trade was always domestic in character, the work being carried on in little workshops attached to the nailers' dwelling houses.

Over a long period nailing expanded, and from about 1750 onwards, when improved iron-making techniques made available increased quantities of iron rods suitable for nail making, the expansion was considerable. By about 1830, no less than 50,000 workers were engaged in nailing in south Staffordshire and north Worcestershire. The trade had then reached its peak.

Machine-made nails had been introduced some years earlier, and the machine competed with the hand worker with increasing success from that time onward. The result was a steady decline in the number of nailers at work. By 1900 only about 4,300 nailers remained, and in the following 50 years the trade became virtually extinct. A few nailers were still to be found in Worcestershire in 1951, and one of these survivors (Mr Albert Crane) of a once-great trade is shown at work above.

Like many other old trades, nail making had its own customs, some of them unique. Nailing was essentially a family enterprise, even the children being put to work as soon as they were big enough to be of use. Starting at a very early age, the nailer soon developed a high degree of skill, and it is of interest to note that a careful study of a nailer at work in 1951 showed that there was no possible means of improving his technique. By long practice he had become so fast and skilful at his work that only the machine could beat him.

The nailer's equipment was simple. He had a hand hammer, a small anvil, a "bore" or hollow tool in which the partly-finished nail was placed to have its head formed, and a treadle-hammer for heading. The iron rods were heated in a small hearth similar to that used by a black-smith, but much smaller. Some idea of the skill developed by long practice can be gained from the fact that the nailer shown above (Mr Albert Crane) made two brush nails, which are like large tacks, every six seconds. They were surprisingly uniform in size and shape, the more so as the nailer had no means of measuring, and judged the amount of iron on which he worked solely by eye.

The business of marketing the nails was very complex. It was undertaken by a nail master, who supplied the iron to the nailer, and bought his finished nails. The basis of trading was the "tale" or thousand nails but that was purely nominal, since the nailer had to deliver the master 1,200 nails for every nominal thousand, while the master, in selling, used a count of 960 or 750 per thousand.

Edward RAMSDALE (1756 to 1835)

Edward RAMSDALE, son of Samuel RAMSDALE and Hannah BAGLEY, was baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on Sunday, 25 January 1756.

John ROSS and Sarah STEVENSON (baptised on Friday, 24 February 1721) were married in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on Sunday, 11 August 1751.

Hannah ROSS, the daughter of John ROSS and Sarah STEVENSON, was baptised on Sunday, 13 November 1757 in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire.

On Saturday, 14 June 1777 in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire, Edward RAMSDALE married Hannah ROSS.

"No 46: Edward Ramsell of this parish and Hannah Ross of this parish minor were married in this church by licence this 14th day of June in the year 1777 by me H. SANDERS, minister. This marriage was solemnized between us, Edward Ramsell (x mark) and Hannah Ross, in the presence of Edward WRIGHT and George WATKINS."

Children

  1. John (ROMSDALE) baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on Sunday, 30 November 1777
  2. Maria (ROMSDALE) baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on Monday, 6 September 1779
  3. William (ROMSDALE) baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on Monday, 11 March 1782
  4. Joseph (ROMSDALE) baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on Monday, 12 April 1784
  5. Ann (ROMSDALE) baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on Monday, 11 September 1786
  6. Joseph (ROMSDALE) baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on Thursday, 12 February 1789
  7. Elizabeth (ROMSDALE) born in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire in 1790 and died in 1791
  8. Samuel (ROMSDALE) baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on Thursday, 8 September 1791
  9. Edward (ROMSWELL) baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on Monday, 9 September 1793
  10. Hannah (ROMSWELL) baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire in 1795
  11. Sarah Ross (ROMSDALE) baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on Tuesday, 6 June 1797
  12. Esther (ROMSDALE) baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire in 1799

Edward RAMSDALE is believed to have died in Staffordshire in 1835.

William RAMSDALE, baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on Monday, 11 March 1782, married Ann (surname unknown) in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire in or about 1804.

Children

  1. David RAMSEL, son of William and Ann RAMSEL, baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire  on Tuesday, 16 April 1805
  2. Hannah ROMSDALE, daughter of William and Ann ROMSDALE, baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on Wednesday, 5 August 1807
  3. Martha ROMSDALE, daughter of William and Ann ROMSDALE, baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on Sunday, 1 January 1809
1841 Census (High Bullen, Wednesbury) [SO 98567 95057]
Household Role Age Birthplace
William RAMSDAL   60-64 (estimated birth year 1777-1781) Wednesbury, Staffordshire
Ann RAMSDAL   60-64 (estimated birth year 1777-1781) Wednesbury, Staffordshire
Maria RAMSDAL   25-29 (estimated birth year 1812-1816) Wednesbury, Staffordshire

1851 Census
Household Role Age Birthplace
William RAMSDALE Head (cordwainer) 70 (estimated birth year 1781) Wednesbury, Staffordshire
Ann RAMSDALE Wife 72 (estimated birth year 1779) Wednesbury, Staffordshire
Catherine Oakley Lodger 21 Wednesbury, Staffordshire
Joseph Oakley Son 3 weeks Wednesbury, Staffordshire

Samuel RAMSDALE (1791 to 1859)

Samuel RAMSDALE, baptised in Saint Bartholomew, Wednesbury, Staffordshire on Thursday, 8 September 1791, married Martha JOHNSON, (daughter of Isaiah JOHNSON and Ann WELLS) on Monday, 21 November 1814, in St. Peter's church, Aston Juxta, Birmingham [SP 08261 89907].



Aston parish church, 1905

Children

  1. Hannah RAMSDALE was born on Monday, 30 October 1815 and baptised on Tuesday, 22 October 1816 [SP 06962 87031]. The National Burial Index has an entry for Hannah RAMSDELL who was buried on Tuesday, 28 June 1831 age 15 years at St. Paul, Birmingham.


    2. Hannah RAMSDALE, daughter of Hannah and Samuel RAMSDALE (wood screw forger) of Snow Hill, was born on Monday, 30 October 1815 and baptised on Tuesday, 22 October 1816 at St Philip's Birmingham.


    Hannah RAMSDALE, aged 15, daughter of Samuel and Hannah RAMSDALE of Cox Street, was buried at St Paul's Birmingham on Tuesday, 28 June 1831.

  2. Maria RAMSDALE, born on Sunday, 21 November 1819 and baptised on Friday, 27 September 1822 in St. Philip's, Birmingham, married Thomas LEES on Saturday, 17 December 1842, in All Saints Parish Church, Birmingham. On the certificate of marriage the couple were respectively described as bachelor and spinster of "full age". Thomas LEES (clerk) signed the certificate but Maria (no occupation and presumably illiterate) simply placed her mark as did the two witnesses, Samuel RAMSDALE and Mary RAMSDALE. The couple's respective fathers were John LEES (glass pincher) and Samuel RAMSDALE (forger). At the time of marriage the couple resided at 7 Court Northwood Street. Maria LEES (née RAMSDALE) died on Thursday, 27 May 1847 age 27 years at 85 Northwood Street, Birmingham [SP 06409 87634] of a "diseased heart" (not certified). She is described as the wife of Thomas LEES (office clerk). The informant was Martha RAMSDALE (illiterate) of 14 Cox Street [SP 06516 87606] who was present at the death.


    3. Maria, daughter of Samuel (occupation screw forger) and Martha RAMSDALE of Livery Street, was born on Sunday, 21 November 1819 and baptised on Friday, 27 September 1822 in St. Philip's, Birmingham. Esther, daughter of Samuel (occupation screw forger) and Martha RAMSDALE of Livery Street, was born on Thursday, 9 May 1822 and baptised on Friday, 27 September 1822 in St. Philip's, Birmingham.

  3. Esther RAMSDALE was born on Thursday, 9 May 1822 and baptised on Friday, 27 September 1822 in St. Philip's, All Saints parish, Birmingham. On Sunday, 6 November 1842 Esther RAMSDALE (a spinster of full age without an occupation) married Henry HARBORNE (a bachelor of full age occupation gun polisher) in Handsworth Parish Church (St Mary's) [SP 05571 90308] after banns. The certificate is signed by Esther but Henry HARBORNE (presumably illiterate) simply placed his mark. The couple's respective fathers were William HARBORNE (gilt toy maker) and Samuel RAMSDALE (screw forger). At the time of marriage the couple resided in Handsworth. The marriage was witnessed by Thomas DUDDLESTON and Mary Ann JONES. Esther HARBORNE (née RAMSDALE), wife of Henry HARBORNE (gun polisher), died age 27 on Tuesday, 5 June 1849 of phthisis at 14 Cox Street, Birmingham. The informant was her father, Samuel RAMSDALE (illiterate) also of the same address, who was present at the death.
  4. Samuel RAMSDALE, born on Saturday, 14 July 1827 at Livery Street, Birmingham [SP 06850 87332], was baptised on Monday, 20 April 1829 in St. Philip's, Birmingham. Samuel married Charlotte EVANS (baptised Friday, 4 November 1836, at Whitchurch in Shropshire, the daughter of Samuel EVANS and Martha SHUKER) on Monday, 18 October 1858, in All Saints, Birmingham [SP 09160 85862]. Samuel RAMSDALE died on Friday, 9 October 1891 at Back 340, Park Road, Birmingham.


    5. Samuel, son of Samuel (occupation screw forger) and Martha RAMSDALE of Livery Street, born on Saturday, 14 July 1827, was baptised on Monday, 20 April 1829 in St. Phillip's, Birmingham

  5. Martha RAMSDALE was born on Monday, 31 May 1830 and baptised on Monday, 21 June 1830 in St. Martin's, Birmingham. Martha RAMSDALE, age 4 years, daughter of Samuel and Martha RAMSDALE of Cox Street, was buried on Tuesday, 23 September 1834 at St. Paul's, Birmingham.


    6. Martha, daughter of Samuel (occupation wood screw maker) and Martha RAMSDALE of Livery Street, was born on 31 May 1830 and baptised at St Martin's on Monday, 21 June 1830.


    Martha, age 4 years, daughter of Samuel and Martha RAMSDALE of Cox Street, was buried on Tuesday, 23 September 1834 at St. Paul's, Birmingham.

  6. George RAMSDALE was baptised on Monday, 26 January 1835 in St. Philip's, Birmingham and died at 14 Cox Street, Birmingham on Friday, 3 February 1843 - cause of death diseased liver. George RAMSDALE, age 8 years of Cox Street, was buried at St Paul's, Birmingham, on Wednesday, 8 February 1843.


  7. Mary Ann RAMSDALE was born on Friday, 11 November 1836, baptised on Monday, 16 January 1837, in St. Philip's, Birmingham and died in 1853 [Mar, 1853, West Bromwich, 6b 451].


    8. Mary Ann, daughter of Samuel (occupation mathematical instrument filer) and Martha RAMSDALE of Cox Street, was born on Friday, 11 November 1836 and baptised on Monday, 16 January 1837, in St. Philip's, Birmingham.


1841 Census
Samuel RAMSDALE 45 Wood Screw Forger
Martha RAMSDALE 45 Chapel Cleaner
Maria RAMSDALE 20 Button Cutter
Esther RAMSDALE 15 Warehouse Girl
Samuel RAMSDALE 13  
George RAMSDALE 6  
Mary ROSS 20 Button Cutter
May ROSS 15 Warehouse Girl
Address 14 Cox Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire

However, at date of census no mention of:



1851 Census
Name Relationship Marital Status Age Occupation Birthplace
Samuel RAMSDALE Head Married 60 Milk Seller Wednesbury, Staffordshire
Martha RAMSDALE Wife Married 59 Mangler Birmingham, Warwickshire
Samuel RAMSDALE Son Unmarried 23 Silver Pencil Case Polisher (Journeyman) Birmingham, Warwickshire
Address 14 Cox Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire

Samuel RAMSDALE had the following occupations:

On page 251 of the 1858 edition of Dix's General and Commercial Directory of the Borough of Birmingham Samuel RAMSDALE is described as a "dairyman" of 14 Cox Street. His son, Samuel, was married in 1858 at which time his occupation was described as "warehouse porter". Samuel is believed to have been illiterate and died on Friday, 15 April 1859 at 11 Court, Great Russell Street, Birmingham. His cause of death was certified to be (1) disease of the heart and (2) rheumatism.

Martha Ramsdale (née JOHNSON), also illiterate, died of phthisis (tuberculosis of the lungs) aged 67 on Tuesday, 30 March 1858 at 14 Cox Street.

St. Philip's, where Hannah, Maria, Esther, Samuel and Mary Ann RAMSDALE were baptised, was built on land located at the highest point in Birmingham donated by Robert Philips (after whom the Cathedral is named) with funds of £600 provided by George I. The church was dedicated in 1715 before it was finished. Its Georgian design (the work of Thomas Archer as later modified by J.A. Chatwin) is one of the finest examples in the country. The beautiful stained glass window behind the altar was designed by Edward Burne-Jones, who much later also designed the Last Judgement in the west window. St Philip's was given the status of Cathedral in 1905.
All Saints, where Maria Ramsdale married Thomas Lees on Saturday, 17 December 1842, is the Church of England parish church of King's Heath, Birmingham. All Saints' Church, King's Heath
St. Martin's, where Martha Ramsdale was baptised on Monday, 21 June 1830, is now a Grade II listed building and the most ancient of Birmingham's churches.

St. Martin's has been the focal point of the market area since the 12th century.

Inside is the oldest monument in the city, a 1325 effigy of the Lord of the Manor Sir William de Bermingham.

The present building, with a stained glass window by Burne-Jones, dates from 1875.

Although the industry of Birmingham allowed it to thrive, the working conditions were often unpleasant and dangerous, and the pay for the working classes, particularly the many women and children employed, was low. Many could not find regular or full-time employment. A British Association Survey of 1839 produced the following statistics:

Age Average Earnings
Male Female
7 to 13 3 shillings and 1 penny 2 shillings and 4 pence
14 to 20 5 shillings and 9 pence 5 shillings and 2 pence
20+ 24 shillings and 3 pence 8 shillings

Many families could not aspire to as great a sum as 24 shillings per week for the chief wage earner, an unskilled manual labourer in the mid 1860s could hope to bring home between 15 to 18 shillings. The poverty line was around 18 to 21 shillings. Most working class families had to supplement their wages by home or factory work for the women and children, and informal work such as child-minding and errand-running. The pawn-shop was a regular necessity for a large number of families, and any church relief or free meals were usually taken. The strong sense of community in many areas, where the family would often remain for generations, perhaps doing a "moonlight flit" to a nearby house in the district but essentially remaining in the near district, also helped many through in desperate times, neighbourly assistance was of great importance.

Samuel RAMSDALE (1827 to 1891)

Samuel RAMSDALE, son of Samuel (screw forger) and Martha RAMSDALE of Livery Street, Birmingham, was born on Saturday, 14 July 1827 and baptised on Monday, 20 April 1829 at St. Philip's, Birmingham.

According to the 1851 Census, Samuel (then aged 23) lived with his parents, Samuel and Martha, at 14 Cox Street, Birmingham, at which time his occupation was described as a "silver pencil case polisher (journeyman)".

Samuel married Charlotte EVANS (baptised Friday, 4 November 1836, at Whitchurch in Shropshire, the daughter of Samuel EVANS and Martha SHUKER) on Monday, 18 October 1858, in All Saints, Birmingham. Samuel RAMSDALE's occupation at the time of his marriage in 1858 was warehouse porter and he lived at 19 Hockley Hill. Charlotte's address at time of marriage was Lodge Road.

Children

  1. George Samuel RAMSDALE was born at 2 Court, Great Russell Street, Birmingham, in the parish of St. George on Thursday, 17th November 1859 and died on Tuesday, 23rd August 1938 (age 78) at 81 Alexandra Road, Soho, Birmingham
  2. Ann Maria RAMSDALE was born on Tuesday, 6th March 1866 and baptised on Sunday, 25th March 1866 in St. George's, Birmingham [SP 05359 85533] and died on Sunday, 28 June 1868 (age 2 years) at Park Road, All Saints, Birmingham. Her cause of death was certified to be (1) rubeola and (2) 9 days pneumonia. Measles was historically called rubeola. Complications with measles are relatively common and include pneumonia. Her mother, Charlotte RAMSDALE (née EVANS and illiterate), was present at the death.
  3. Charlotte Rosina RAMSDALE was born at 344 Park Road, All Saints, Birmingham on Wednesday, 24th August 1870 and baptised on Sunday, 18 September 1870 in All Saints, Birmingham.

    Charlotte Rosina RAMSDALE, daughter of Samuel (occupation porter) and Charlotte RAMSDALE of 344 Park Road was baptised on Sunday, 18th September 1870 in All Saints, Birmingham

    On Monday, 25th December 1893, after banns, Charlotte (Rosina) RAMSDALE, a spinster age 23 (no occupation) residing at 4 Cliff Place, Baker Street [SP 04528 89588], married James Frank CHATER (occupation tram conductor), a bachelor also age 23, born on Tuesday, 22nd February 1870 at 5 Conyer (?) Street, Birmingham and residing at 5 Victoria Terrace, Dawson Road [SP 04510 89664] in St James' Parish Church (Handsworth), Staffordshire. The couple's respective fathers were Samuel RAMSDALE (porter, deceased) and George CHATER (coach smith) and the marriage was witnessed by George CHATER and Myra JONES. The marriage certificate appears to have been signed by both.

    4. James Frank CHATER died in 1954 age 84 (civil registration entry Jan-Mar 1954 Birmingham 9c 804). Charlotte CHATER (née Charlotte Rosina RAMSDALE) died age 45 in 1916 (civil registration entry Jan-Mar 1916 West Bromwich 6b 933).

  4. Emma Eliza (Emily) RAMSDALE was born at 344 Park Road, Birmingham on Friday, 8th May 1874. Her mother, Charlotte RAMSDALE née EVANS, was illiterate and signed Emma Eliza's birth certificate with a cross. The certificate also records the occupation of her father, Samuel RAMSDALE, as "Ironmonger's Assistant".

    In or about 1893 Emma Eliza RAMSDALE married (?) James Joseph DONOGHUE, born 1863, and bore him two daughters:

    1. Emily Charlotte DONOGHUE, born on Sunday, 18th February 1894 in St George, Birmingham. At the time of the birth Emily Eliza DONOGHUE, formerly RAMSDALE, lived with James Joseph DONOGHUE (commercial traveller's porter) at 2 Back 110 Barr Street, Birmingham [SP 06196 88249]
    2. Dorothy Mary DONOGHUE, born on Tuesday, 17th May 1898 in Handsworth, Staffordshire. At the time of this birth Emily DONOGHUE, formerly RAMSDALE, lived with James DONOGHUE (traveller's porter) at 18 Westbourne Grove, Handsworth, Staffordshire

    On Monday, 14th August 1899 James Joseph DONOGHUE (traveller's porter) died age 36 at 18 Westbourne Grove, Victoria Road, Handsworth. The causes of death, as certified by the Coroner for Staffordshire H. A. Pearson, were "heart disease" and "natural causes".

    On Saturday, 1 September 1900 in St James' Parish Church, Handsworth [SP 03595 89701], Emily Eliza DONOGHUE (née Emma Eliza RAMSDALE) age 26 married James WYATT (born Monday, 3rd May 1875 at 13 Dowles Road, Bewdley, Worcestershire [SO 78467 75444]), tram driver and bachelor, age 24. Emily had no occupation and was a widow. The couple lived at 153 Grove Lane [SP 04811 90153]. The couple's respective fathers, James WYATT (labourer) and Samuel RAMSDALE (porter), were stated to be deceased. The couple signed the register (and were therefore literate) and the ceremony was witnessed by Thomas COLES and Harriet Agnes ROGERS.

    Although James WYATT's father is described as deceased on the marriage certificate, no father is identified on the birth certificate of James WYATT who was born to Susan WYATT on Monday, 3rd May 1875 at 13 Dowles Road, Bewdley in the counties of "Worcester, Stafford and Salop".

    1881 Census
    Name Relation Marital Status Gender Age Birthplace Occupation
    William WYATT  Head  Widower Male  66  Bayton, Worcester, England  Gardner (ND) 
    Susan WYATT Daughter  Unmarried Female 30 Bayton, Worcester, England  Laundress
    James WYATT  Grandson  Unmarried Male 5 Bewdley, Worcester, England  Scholar 
    Dwelling 15 Dowles Road, Ribbesford, Worcestershire

    1891 Census
    Name Relationship to Head Gender Age Estimated Birth Year Occupation Birth City or District Birth County
    Albert T FOWLER Head Male 25 1866 Cabdriver Groom Stourport Worcestershire
    Susan FOWLER Wife Female 38 1853 Laundress Bayton Worcestershire
    James WYATT Stepson Male 15 1876 Cabdriver Groom Bewdley Worcestershire
    William WYATT Boarder Male 3 1888   Bewdley Worcestershire
    Address 15 Dowles Road, Bewdley, St Leonard's Parish, Ribesford, Worcestershire

    1901 Census
    Name Relation to head of family Married or Single Age Occupation Where Born
    James WYATT Head Married 25 Cable Tram Driver Bewdley, Worcestershire
    Emily E. WYATT Wife Married 26   Hockley, Warwickshire
    Emily C. WYATT Daughter Single 7   Hockley, Warwickshire
    Dorothy M. Wyatt Daughter Single 2   Handsworth, Staffordshire
    Address 11 Arthur Road, Handsworth (St James Parish), Sandwell, Staffordshire

    1911 Census
    Name Relation to Head of Family Marital Status Years Married Sex Age in 1911 Occupation Where Born
    WYATT, James Head Married   M 36 Cable Car Driver 15 Dowles Road, Bewdley
    WYATT, Emily Eliza Wife Married 10 F 37 House Hold Duty Park Road, Hockley
    DONOGHUE, Emily Charlotte Stepdaughter Single   F 17 Warehouse Electro Plate Barr Street, Hockley
    DONOGHUE, Dorothy Mary Stepdaughter Single   F 12 School Victoria Road, Handsworth
    RAMSDALE, Emily Caroline Niece Single   F 22 Rule Finisher Icknield Street, Birmingham
    Address 4 Spring Grove, Naden Road, Handsworth, Staffordshire (in the district of West Bromwich, Sub-district and Parish of Handsworth) [SP 05796 88878]

    James WYATT died in the General Hospital, Birmingham on 25 May 1927 age 52. At the time of death his address was 88 Victoria Road, Handsworth [SP 04429 89339] and his occupation was "tram motor man". The certified cause of death was mediastinal lymphosarcoma (5 months). The informant was Emily WYATT (formerly DONOGHUE, née Emma Eliza RAMSDALE).

    Emily Eliza WYATT (formerly DONOGHUE née Emma Eliza RAMSDALE) died at 92 Teddington Grove, Handsworth, Birmingham [SP 06557 91333] on Saturday, 6 March 1943 age 68. On her death certificate Emily Eliza WYATT is described as the widow of James WYATT, tram driver, and her cause of death was (1) angina pectoris and (b) arterio sclerosis. Her daughter, D. M. RAMSDALE (Dorothy Mary DONOGHUE) then age 43, was present at her death.

    Angina pectoris, commonly known as angina, is severe chest pain due to ischemia (a lack of blood and hence oxygen supply) of the heart muscle, generally due to obstruction or spasm of the coronary arteries (the heart's blood vessels). Coronary artery disease, the main cause of angina, is due to atherosclerosis of the cardiac arteries. The term derives from the Latin angina ("infection of the throat") from the Greek γχόνη ankhone ("strangling"), and the Latin pectus ("chest"), and can therefore be translated as "a strangling feeling in the chest". There is a weak relationship between severity of pain and degree of oxygen deprivation in the heart muscle (i.e., there can be severe pain with little or no risk of a heart attack, and a heart attack can occur without pain).

    Arteriosclerosis refers to a stiffening of arteries. Arteriosclerosis is a general term describing any hardening (and loss of elasticity) of medium or large arteries (from the Greek Arterio, meaning artery, and sclerosis, meaning hardening).

    1861 Census
    Name Relationship Marital Status Age Occupation Birthplace
    Samuel RAMSDALE Head Married 32 Ironmonger's Porter Birmingham, Warwickshire
    Charlotte RAMSDALE Wife Married 26   Birmingham, Warwickshire
    George Samuel RAMSDALE Son Single 16m   Birmingham, Warwickshire
    Mary DEAKIN Border Widow 69 Washer Woman Birmingham, Warwickshire
    Address Back 41, Great Russell Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire


    1871 Census
    Name Relationship Marital Status Age Occupation Birthplace
    Samuel RAMSDALE Head Married 42 Porter Birmingham, Warwickshire
    Charlotte RAMSDALE Wife Married 36   Birmingham, Warwickshire
    George Samuel RAMSDALE Son   11 Scholar Birmingham, Warwickshire
    Charlotte R RAMSDALE Daughter   7m   Birmingham, Warwickshire
    Address 344 Park Road, Birmingham, Warwickshire

    The 1873 edition of White's Directory of Birmingham and the Hardware District at pages 209 and 515 list the 344 Park Road (Icknield Street East, Musgrave Road and Bird's Lane) address as a shop and Samuel RAMSDALE as the shopkeeper.

    1881 Census
    Name Relationship Marital Status Age Occupation Birthplace
    Samuel RAMSDALE Head Married 52 Warehouse Porter (unemployed) Birmingham, Warwickshire
    Charlotte RAMSDALE Wife Married 47 Laundress Birmingham, Warwickshire
    George RAMSDALE Son Unmarried 21 Jeweller Fancy Rings Birmingham, Warwickshire
    Emily RAMSDALE Daughter Unmarried 6 Scholar Birmingham, Warwickshire
    Charlotte R RAMSDALE Daughter Unmarried 10 Scholar Birmingham, Warwickshire
    Address 344 Park Road, Birmingham, Warwickshire

    In the 1881 Census "Samuel RAMSDALE" (stated to be aged 53), is described as a "servant" to Susanna LEES who was probably the daughter of Martha RAMSDALE and Thomas LEES, who were married on Saturday, 17 December 1842. His occupation is described as "Scale Maker Servant (Dom)" and his marital status is "unmarried".

    1881 Census
    Name Relationship Marital Status Age Occupation Birthplace
    Susana LEES Head Widow 37 Scale Manufacturer (Dom) Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire
    Jane GREGORY Sister Married 27 None Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire
    Charles GREGORY Nephew Single 4 - Birmingham, Warwickshire
    Samuel RAMSDALE Servant Single 53 Scale Maker Servant (Dom) Birmingham, Warwickshire
    Florence LEES Granddaughter Single 12 Scholar Birmingham, Warwickshire
    Address Claremont Road, Trentham Villa, Handsworth, Staffordshire [SP 05574 88800]


    1891 Census
    Name Relationship Marital Status Age Occupation Birthplace
    Samuel RAMSDALE Head Married 63 (none stated) Birmingham, Warwickshire
    Charlotte RAMSDALE Wife Married 59 Wash Laundress Birmingham, Warwickshire
    Charlotte Daughter Unmarried 20 Gold Jewellers Polisher Birmingham, Warwickshire
    Emily Daughter Unmarried 16 General Domestic Servant Birmingham, Warwickshire
    Address 2 Back 340 Park Road, All Saints, Birmingham, Warwickshire (1 house inhabited, 3 rooms occupied)

    Samuel RAMSDALE is believed to have been illiterate and he died, aged 64, on Friday, 9 October 1891 at Back 340, Park Road, Birmingham. His cause of death was certified as (1) paralysis and (2) exhaustion and his wife, Charlotte, was stated to have been present at the death.

    Charlotte RAMSDALE, stated to be a widow age 62, residing at 7 Dawson Road, Handsworth [SP 04415 89635], married George CHATER (a widower also age 62) of 5 Dawson Road, Handsworth, in the Register Office in the District of West Bromwich on Monday, 16 April 1894. Charlotte's age puts her year of birth as 1832. George CHATER's occupation at the time of marriage was "Coach Smith". The couple's respective fathers, William CHATER (labourer) and Samuel EVANS (butcher), were both stated to be deceased. George CHATER signed the marriage certificate but Charlotte, being illiterate, put only a cross ("her mark"). The witnesses to the marriage were James Frank CHATER and Charlotte CHATER.

    1891 Census
    Surname Forename(s) Relation to Head Status Sex Age Occupation Where Born
    CHATER George Head W M 59 Coach Smith (Unemployed) Warwickshire - Leamington Priors
    CHATER Alfred Son S M 24 Carter (Employee) Warwickshire - Leamington Priors
    CHATER James Son S M 21 Carter (Employee) Warwickshire - Leamington Priors
    Address: 24 Ct 3 House Hingeston Street
    Piece: RG12/2397
    Place: Birmingham - Warwickshire
    Enumeration District: 15
    Civil Parish: Birmingham
    Ecclesiastical Parish: All Saints
    Folio: 68
    Page: 31
    Schedule: 199

    Charlotte CHATER, formerly Charlotte RAMSDALE (née EVANS), wife of George CHATER ("gardener domestic retired") died on Sunday, 20 December 1908 at 3 Queens Head Lane, Handsworth, West Bromwich age 76. The cause of her death is stated on the certificate of death to have been senile decay and cerebral apoplexy. The informant was James CHATER, step son, of 16 Milestone Lane, Handsworth. George CHATER ("formerly a jobbing gardener") died age 78 on Wednesday, 12 October 1910 at 16 Milestone Lane, Handsworth. The certified cause of death (after an inquest) was (1) natural causes and (2) heart failure the result of a chill.

    Charlotte Rosina CHATER (née RAMSDALE), died at 16 Milestone Lane, Handsworth, Birmingham on Friday, 7 March 1916 age 45 years. On the certificate of death Charlotte CHATER is described as the wife of James Frank CHATER (commissionaire). James Frank CHATER (widower of deceased) was also the informant residing at the same address.

    George Samuel RAMSDALE (1859 to 1938)

    Parish Church, Sutton Coldfield Interior of Parish Church Sutton Coldfield



    Banns read Sunday 28th March, Sunday 4th and Sunday 11th April 1886, married Monday, 26th April 1886 at the parish church Sutton Coldfield

    George Samuel RAMSDALE was born on Thursday, 17th November 1859 at 2 Court, Great Russell Street, Birmingham, in the parish of St. George. On Monday, 26 April 1886 he married Mary Ann HORTON (who was born on Saturday, 28th July 1860 at Myring Place, Sutton Coldfield and baptised on Sunday, 19th August 1860, the daughter of William HORTON and Caroline PERKS) in the parish church of Sutton Coldfield in Warwickshire after banns.

    At the time of their marriage on Monday, 26th April 1886, George Samuel RAMSDALE (bachelor) and Mary Ann HORTON (spinster) both resided at "Park Road, Soho, Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield". George Samuel's rank or profession was described as "wire drawer". The rank or profession of George Samuel's father, Samuel RAMSDALE, was described as "Porter". Mary Ann HORTON was described as a spinster age 25 without rank or profession whose father, William HORTON, was deceased (he had died in 1862). The two witnesses to the marriage were William Henry NEWEY and Eliza GRIFFIN and the marriage was solemnized before W. H. Holland Richards.

    		 Birmingham Daily Post
    Monday, September 1, 1884
    Issue 8165, Category: Sports
    Football … Walsall Swifts v Wolverhampton Wanderers … friendly match … Swifts … forwards … RAMSDALE and Horton

    The Chuckery was a cricket and football ground in the Chuckery area of Walsall, England. It was the home ground of the Walsall Swifts and Walsall Town football clubs until they merged in 1888, after which it was used by the new Walsall Town Swifts club.

    The Chuckery was located to the east of Walsall town centre, and had several different pitches which were used by Walsall Swifts and Walsall Town. When the two clubs merged in 1888, they continued playing at the Chuckery on the Town pitch. The Town pitch was chosen as it was located closer to the cricket pavilion, the only facility at the ground.

    In 1892 Walsall Town Swifts were elected to the Football League, and the first League match at the ground was played on 3rd September 1892, with Walsall losing 2-1 to Darwen in front of 4,000 spectators, also the highest League crowd recorded at the ground. Following complaints from local residents, the club left the ground to move to West Bromwich Road at the end of the 1892-93 season. However, the first two matches of the 1893-94 season were played at the Oval in Wednesbury as the new ground was not yet ready.

    The final League match at the Chuckery was played on 15th April 1893, with 2,000 spectators seeing a 1-1 draw with Sheffield United. The site was later used to build housing.

    William and his daughter Mary Ann HORTON lived at Myring Place [SP 13660 96495] which was a hamlet on the south side of Rectory Road in Sutton Coldfield. It is now recalled in Myring Drive. The modern road lies just west of the row of cottages which stood opposite Blakemore Drive.

    The hamlet may well take its name from the surname of the landlord who had the cottages built. It appears to be a West Midlands name and is found in the 18th century at Shenstone, a village about 8 miles to the north, and at Coleshill in 1841. The 1861 Census shows this to be a working-class hamlet of five households. Three households were headed by agricultural labourers, the others by a bricklayer and a cordwainer (William HORTON):

    1861 Census
    Household Number
    (Myring Place)    		 Given Name Surname Relationship to
    Head of Family    		 Age Estimated Birth Year Occupation Birth City Birth County
    232 Thomas ALLSOP Head 58 about 1803 Bricklayer Tamworth Staffordshire
    232 Ann ALLSOP Wife 60 about 1801 Midwife Austrey Warwickshire
    232 Benjamin ALLSOP Son 20 about 1841 Bricklayer's Labourer Sutton Coldfield Warwickshire
    233 John BARRETT Head 64 about 1797 Agricultural Labourer Aston Cantlow Warwickshire
    233 Elizabeth BARRETT Wife 71 about 1790   Eccleshall Staffordshire
    234 William ARNOLD Head 38 about 1823 Agricultural Labourer Solihull Warwickshire
    234 Martha ARNOLD Wife 28 about 1833   Warton Warwickshire
    234 Mary ARNOLD Daughter 5 about 1856   Sutton Coldfield Warwickshire
    234 Emma ARNOLD Daughter 3 about 1858   Sutton Coldfield Warwickshire
    234 Ann ARNOLD Daughter 6 Mo about 1860   Sutton Coldfield Warwickshire
    235 John SMITH Head 34 about 1827 Agricultural Labourer Sutton Coldfield Warwickshire
    235 Esther SMITH Wife 39 about 1822   Lewisham Kent
    235 Harry SMITH Son 10 about 1851 Scholar Sutton Coldfield Warwickshire
    235 Charles SMITH Son 7 about 1854 Scholar Sutton Coldfield Warwickshire
    235 Robert J SMITH Son 4 about 1857 Scholar Sutton Coldfield Warwickshire
    235 John SMITH Son 2 about 1859 Scholar Sutton Coldfield Warwickshire
    236 William HORTON Head 29 about 1832 Cordwainer Handsworth Staffordshire
    236 Caroline HORTON Wife 30 about 1831   Sutton Coldfield Warwickshire
    236 Mary A HORTON Daughter 8 Mo about 1860   Sutton Coldfield Warwickshire

    1841 Census
    Surname Forename(s) Sex Age Occupation Where Born
    HORTON Thomas M 45 Locksmith Journeyman Warwickshire
    HORTON Sarah F 40   Warwickshire
    HORTON Maria F 9   Warwickshire
    HORTON Charles M 10   Warwickshire
    HORTON Alfred M 3   Warwickshire
    HORTON Ellen F 8m   Warwickshire
    Address: Upper Trinity Street, Bordesley
    Piece: HO107/1148/9
    Place: Birmingham - Warwickshire
    Enumeration District: 6
    Civil Parish: Aston (Deritend)
    Ecclesiastical Parish
    Folio: 7
    Page: 7

    Note: No reference in this census return to William HORTON who would have been 9 years of age on Sunday, 6th June 1841 (the day of the 1841 census) having been born on Sunday, 6th May 1832.

    1841 Census
    Surname Forename(s) Sex Age Occupation Where Born
    PERKS Thos. M 35 Agricultural Labourer Warwickshire
    PERKS Jane F 30   Warwickshire
    PERKS Thos. M 13   Warwickshire
    PERKS Caroline F 9   Warwickshire
    PERKS Joseph M 7   Warwickshire
    Address: White House Common
    Piece: HO107/1128/6
    Place: Birmingham - Warwickshire
    Enumeration District: 6
    Civil Parish: Sutton Coldfield
    Ecclesiastical Parish
    Folio: 21
    Page: 2

    1851 Census
    Name Relation Condition Sex Age Birth Year Occupation/Disability Where Born
    PERKS, Thomas Head Married M 47 1804 Ag Labourer Sutton, Warwickshire
    PERKS, Jane Wife Married F 43 1808   Lear, Warwickshire
    PERKS, Richard Son   M 10 1841   Sutton, Warwickshire
    PERKS, Charlotte Daughter   F 6 1845   Sutton, Warwickshire
    PERKS, James Son   M 2 1849   Sutton, Warwickshire
    Address: White House Common, Sutton Coldfield
    RG number: HO107
    Piece: 2062
    Folio: 532
    Page: 17
    Registration District: Aston
    Sub District: Sutton Coldfield
    Enumeration District: 4 G
    Civil Parish: Sutton Coldfield
    County: Warwickshire

    Thomas PERKS died on Saturday, 24th June 1854 at Driffold Lunatic Asylum, Sutton Coldfield. The certified cause of death was "drowning whilst in a state of temporary insanity". His occupation at time of death was labourer. The informant was George Bodington, warden and coroner, Driffold Lunatic Asylum, Sutton Coldfield.

    Bodington Gardens, Birmingham Road, Maney commemorates the eminent Sutton Coldfield personage George Bodington.

    Born in Buckinghamshire in 1799 and educated at Magdalene College, Oxford George Bodington became a physician and GP in Erdington (parish of Aston) Warwickshire. He was also a local politician and served on the Sutton Corporation for forty years (having, as was customary, been appointed for life). His great professional interest was pulmonary disease and in 1836 he acquired the asylum and sanitorium at Driffold House, Maney (now the Empire cinema).

    He was a pioneer in his field and was the first to suggest dry frosty air as a cure for tuberculosis. He was not taken seriously by his contemporaries, lost interest in the subject and turned to the treatment of insanity. In 1851 the local census recorded eleven "lunatics" and six staff including the doctor and his family at Driffold House. Records show that the asylum held between 16 and 24 patients at a time, from 1845-1868. They were aged from 18 to 88 and most were female. Five who were noted in the 1851 census were still there a decade later. He died aged 83 in 1882 (cause of death tuberculosis).


    Note that Caroline Elizabeth HORTON was born almost five years after the death of William HORTON. The name of her father is omitted from the birth certificate which confirms her mother's name and maiden name as "Caroline Horton formerly Perks widow of William Horton, cordwainer journeyman".

    William HORTON died on Monday, 8th September 1862 "near the rectory" (from the parish burial record) at Myring Place, Sutton Coldfield [SP 13671 96499] adjacent to Church Grove Farm and opposite White House Farm (from the death certificate - but see below). William HORTON was described on his certificate of death as a "Cordwainer Journeyman", his cause of death was Phthisis, the old name for Tuberculosis of the lungs (from the Greek, phthinein, to waste away), a disease characterised by the wasting away or atrophy of the body or a part of the body.



    Ordnance Survey, Popular Edition, Birmingham 1921

    The informant was Jane PERKS (illiterate), possibly his sister-in-law (see 1841 census return above), who was present at the death at Whitehouse Common, Sutton Coldfield (grid reference SP 13632 97227), which name was in use by 1725 and may have referred to Whitehouse Farm [SP 13300 97763] (note the spelling) which stood on Whitehouse Common Road between Ashfurlong Crescent and the Tamworth Road. The area around Whitehouse Common Road covered by the modern district of Whitehouse Common was then known as Whitehouse Enclosure having been enclosed with the rest of Sutton Coldfield's common land in the 1820s.

    The informant was Jane PERKS (illiterate), possibly his sister-in-law (see 1841 census return above), who was present at the death at Whitehouse Common, Sutton Coldfield (grid reference SP 13632 97227), which name was in use by 1725 and may have referred to:

    • White House Farm [SP 13575 96611] between Boot Hill to the west, Myring Place to the east, and Whitehouse Common to the north;
    • Whitehouse Farm [SP 13298 97754] to the north of Whitehouse Common, which stood on Whitehouse Common Road between Ashfurlong Crescent and the Tamworth Road.


    (above) Ordnance Survey (1902)



    (above) Ordnance Survey (1902)
    Whitehouse Common, Myring Place and White House Farm



    (above) Sutton Coldfield, 1885: view from the railway at Park Road, Soho where George Samuel RAMSDALE lived the year before he was married to Mary Ann HORTON



    (above) High Street, Sutton Coldfield

    In the 1891 Census, George Samuel RAMSDALE's address is given as 215 Icknield Street, All Saints Parish, Birmingham, occupied by the following:

    1891 Census
    Name Surname Relation to Head of Family Marital Status Age Occupation Where Born
    George RAMSDALE Head Married 31 Iron Wire Drawer Birmingham
    Mary A RAMSDALE Wife Married 30   Sutton, Warwickshire
    Frederick RAMSDALE Son   4   Birmingham
    Emily RAMSDALE Daughter   2   Birmingham


    1891 Census

    Kelly's Directory of Birmingham & Suburbs (1892) lists George RAMSDALE as being a shopkeeper at the 215 Icknield Street address, his neighbours being Henry HADLEY (coal dealer and shopkeeper at 211-214) and George ALLEN (shopkeeper at 216). The 1896 edition of Kelly's Birmingham Directory continues to list George RAMSDALE as being a shopkeeper at the 215 Icknield Street address with neighbours Henry HADLEY (coal dealer at 211-214) and Joseph UPTON (printer at 230). In the 1888 edition of Kelly's Directory of Birmingham & Suburbs the shopkeeper at 215 Icknield Street was William BECK.

    In the 1901 Census George Samuel RAMSDALE's address is given as Back 2, 218 Park Road, All Saints Parish, Birmingham. The address is described as having four rooms occupied by the following:

    1901 Census
    Name Surname Relation to Head of Family Marital Status Age Occupation Where Born
    George RAMSDALE Head Widower 41 Iron Wire Drawer Birmingham
    Frederick RAMSDALE Son Single 14 Silversmith (Gold) Birmingham
    Emily RAMSDALE Daughter Single 12   Birmingham
    Charles RAMSDALE Son Single 9   Birmingham
    William RAMSDALE Son Single 7   Birmingham
    Sidney RAMSDALE Son Single 3   Birmingham
    Caroline HORTON Mother-in-Law Widow 70 Housekeeper Sutton Coldfield
    RG 13/2850, Folio 113, Page 22

    In the 1911 Census George Samuel RAMSDALE's address is given as 3/114 (Back 3, 114) Park Road, Hockley, Birmingham. The address is described as having three (3) rooms occupied by the following:

    1911 Census
    Name Surname Relation to Head of Family Marital Status Age Occupation Where Born
    George RAMSDALE Head Widower 51 Iron Wire Drawer Birmingham
    Frederick RAMSDALE Son Single 24 Carter Birmingham
    William RAMSDALE Son Single 17 Printer Birmingham
    Sydney RAMSDALE Son Single 13 School Birmingham
    Caroline HORTON Boarder Widow 80 Housekeeper Sutton Coldfield


    1911 Census

    Charles Samuel Ramsdale, born Friday, 17th July 1891 and age 19 on the date of the census (Sunday, 21st April 1991), was then serving in the South Staffordshire Regiment:


    Private Charles Samuel Ramsdale: Infantry 1st Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment

    Mary Ann RAMSDALE (née Horton) died on Wednesday, 14th June 1899 in the General Hospital, St. George, Birmingham. Her death certificate records her cause of death as (1) ulcer of leg, (2) pyaemia and (3) exhaustion. A post mortem was carried out. Her address at time of death was Back 218, Park Road, Birmingham. Pyaemia is a type of septicaemia that leads to widespread abscesses of a metastatic nature. It is usually caused by the staphylococcus bacteria by pus-forming organisms in the blood. Apart from the distinctive abscesses, pyaemia exhibits the same symptoms as other forms of septicaemia and was almost universally fatal before the introduction of antibiotics.

    George Samuel RAMSDALE died on Tuesday, 23rd August 1938 (age 78) at 81 Alexandra Road, Soho, Birmingham. His cause of death was certified as (1) coronary thrombosis, and (2) arterio sclerosis and he was described as a "retired newsvendor".


    1892 Kelly's Directory of Birmingham, George Ramsdale, 215 Icknield Street

    Kelly's Directory of Birmingham, 1895
    The extract for the section of Icknield Street between
    Great Western Terrace and Prescott Street
    reads as follows:
    Great Western Terrace
    210 Mrs Matilda Sarah Young (beer retailer)
    211 Henry Hadley (coal dealer)
    214 Henry Hadley (shopkeeper)
    215 George Ramsdale (shopkeeper)
    216 William Bolt (grocer)
    230 Joseph Upton (printer)
    Pillar Letter Box
    233 Walter Gregory (tailor)
    Prescott Street


    1895 Kelly's Directory of Birmingham, George Ramsdale 215 Icknield Street


    1897 Kelly's Directory of Birmingham, George Ramsdale 215 Icknield Street

    George Samuel RAMSDALE had various occupations:

    • jeweller fancy rings (1881)
    • (iron) wire drawer (journeyman) (1886 and 1887 at Back 34, Hingeston Street, 1889 at 2 Great Western Terrace, Icknield Street, 1891, 1897 at 215 Icknield Street, Birmingham, 1899, 1901 and 1911)
    • newsvendor (1921, 1924 and 1938)
    • tram car guard (?)
    • shopkeeper (1892, 1893, 1895 and 1896 at 215 Icknield St.)

    1881 jeweller fancy rings
    1886 (iron) wire drawer (journeyman) at Back 34, Hingeston Street
    1887 wire drawer at Back 34, Hingeston Street
    1889 (iron) wire drawer (journeyman) at 2 Great Western Terrace, Icknield Street
    1891 wire drawer journeyman at 215 Icknield Street
    1892 shopkeeper at 215 Icknield Street
    1893 shopkeeper at 215 Icknield Street
    1895 shopkeeper at 215 Icknield Street
    1896 shopkeeper at 215 Icknield Street
    1897 wire drawer journeyman at 215 Icknield Street
    1899 (iron) wire drawer (journeyman)
    1901 (iron) wire drawer (journeyman)
    1911 (iron) wire drawer (journeyman)
    1921 newsvendor
    1924 newsvendor
    1938 newsvendor

    Children

    1. George Frederick RAMSDALE was born on Sunday, 23rd January 1887 at Back 34, Hingeston Street, Birmingham. The birth was registered by his mother "M. A. RAMSDALE" (Mary Ann RAMSDALE née HORTON) on Friday, 25th February 1887. George Frederick married Fanny PULLEN by licence on Thursday, 31st October 1916 in the Birmingham Register Office in the presence of M. Silver and Ann Perry ("the mark of"). On that date George Frederick's age would have been 29 years 9 months and 8 days. Interestingly:

      • George Frederick's age is given as 35 which places his date of birth in the year 1881;
      • his father (George Samuel RAMSDALE) is described as deceased "wire drawer" (yet George Samuel was alive until Tuesday, 23rd August 1938);
      • the couple shared the same address at 4 Back 51 Lennox Street, Birmingham; and
      • George Frederick's condition and occupation were, respectively, bachelor and Private 36796, 12th Battalion, D Company, Devonshire Regiment.


      1904-05 UK Railway Employment Records: George Frederick Ramsdale, date of birth Sunday, 23rd January 1887, occupation "Lorry Boy" at Hockley station at 9 shillings a week from September 1903 until his resignation on Monday, 5th June 1905.

      The marriage certificate stated Fanny's age to be 42 and her condition and occupation were recorded respectively, as "widow" and "Dairy Company's Kitchen Hand". Fanny PULLEN's father's name was John THORNTON (deceased) whose occupation was "Gardener's Labourer". Since her surname (PULLEN) differs to that of her father (THORNTON) it is clear that she retained her deceased husband's surname (PULLEN). The two witnesses to the marriage were M. SILVER and Ann PERRY (illiterate).

      Electoral Registers (below)
      Abbreviation Meaning
      D (Dw) Spouse's occupational qualification
      HO Husband's occupational qualification
      O (Ow) Occupational qualification (women)
      R (Rw) Residential qualification (women)


      1920 Electoral Roll, St Paul's Ward, 4 Back of 51 Lennox Street, George Frederick and Fanny Ramsdale


      1925 Electoral Roll, St Paul's Ward, 4 Back of 51 Lennox Street, George Frederick and Fanny Ramsdale


      1927 Electoral Roll, St Paul's Ward, 4 Back of 51 Lennox Street, George Frederick and Fanny Ramsdale

      According to the 1911 census, Fanny THORNTON, born 1873 in Handborough, Oxfordshire was married to George Henry PULLEN, born 1871 also in Handborough, Oxfordshire. Fanny and George Henry PULLEN (respectively aged 37 and 40 at the time of the 1911 census) had the following two children:

      • Winifred Fanny PULLEN, born 1904 in Handborough, Oxfordshire
      • Sidney George PULLEN, born 1907 in Birmingham

      George Henry PULLEN's occupation in 1911 was "Packer General Merchant". Fanny PULLEN's occupation, if any, is not recorded in the 1911 census. The PULLEN family lived at 60 Lennox Street, Birmingham. Two other boarders are recorded at these premises:

      • Bernard PULLEN, single and aged 29, a bricklayer born in Birmingham
      • Robert GLOVER, single and aged 50, a porter born in Birmingham

      It is believed that:

      • Fanny THORNTON and George Henry PULLEN were married in Birmingham in December 1901 (Volume 6d, page 111)
      • on a date unknown between Sunday, 2nd April 1911 (the date of the 1911 census) and Tuesday, 31st October 1916 (the date of marriage of Fanny PULLEN and George Frederick RAMSDALE) George Henry PULLEN died.

      Presumably, following this marriage the two children of Fanny and George Henry PULLEN lived with their mother and her new husband George Frederick RAMSDALE. As appears from the certificate of death of Fanny PULLEN, her son Sidney George PULLEN retained his natural father's surname.

      Fanny PULLEN died of carcinoma of sigmoid at 4 Back Street, Lennox Street, Birmingham on Wednesday, 19th February 1936. The informant was S. G. Pullen (Sidney George PULLEN), son, living at 2 Back 107, Berners Street, Lozells, Birmingham.


      1939 Census: Frederick George RAMSDALE, widower, carter (builders) residing at Back 51 Lennox Street.
      Note (1) forenames reversed and (2) correct date of birth.

      George Frederick RAMSDALE died in The General Hospital, Birmingham of cerebral thrombosis (post mortem) on Saturday, 25th April 1942. On his death certificate his occupation is recorded as "house carter … of no fixed abode". The informant was W. F. Bates, his step daughter (presumably the married name of Winifred Fanny PULLEN), of 375 Farm Street, Birmingham 19. His age stated on the death certificate was "61" which is incorrect (he was 55 years of age but 61 was consistent with his age (35) stated on the marriage certificate). The GRO Birth Registers have only one George Frederick RAMSDALE born in England and Wales between 1870 and 1890 - if correct (unlikely), George Frederick RAMSDALE was born in 1881 for which there is no official birth or baptism record. George Frederick RAMSDALE was actually born on Wednesday, 23rd February 1887 and was 55 when he died. One explanation is that "1881" and "1887" look similar if handwritten.

    2. Caroline Emily (Sissie) RAMSDALE was born on Sunday, 10th February 1889 at 2 Great Western Terrace, Icknield Street, Birmingham. Caroline Emily RAMSDALE (age 22) was residing at the home of her aunt, Emily Eliza WYATT (née Emma Eliza RAMSDALE age 37), at the time of the 1911 census.

      3. Caroline Emily married Emmanuel DYSON in St James Parish Church, Handsworth, Staffordshire on Saturday, 31st May 1924. Caroline's age was 35 and her condition and residence were spinster (no occupation) of 81 Alexandra Road whilst Emmanuel resided at 11 Alexandra Avenue, Alexandra Road. He was 30 years of age having been born on Saturday, 6th October 1894 at Ombursley, Worcestershire and his condition and occupation were, respectively, bachelor and tram conductor. His father's name was Richard Andrew DYSON (labourer). Caroline's father's name and occupation were stated to be 'George Ramsdale' and 'newsagent'. The two witnesses were Charles Samuel RAMSDALE and Edith May DYSON. Caroline Emily DYSON (née RAMSDALE) died on Thursday, 14th January 1943 aged 52 at 77 Dudley Road (her residence being 81 Alexandra Road, Birmingham 21) and Emmanuel DYSON, also of 81 Alexandra Road, Birmingham 21 a 'Corporation Omnibus Conductor (retired)' died at 48 Lyndon, West Bromwich on Saturday, 20th July 1974 age 80. The informant was his daughter, Joan MILLERCHIP, of 21 Hylda Road, Handsworth, Birmingham B20. The cause of his death was recorded as carcinoma of head and pancreas.

    3. Charles Samuel Ramsdale was born on Friday, 17th July 1891 at 215 Icknield Street, Birmingham and was baptised on Sunday, 21st April 1901 at All Saints, Hockley, Birmingham.


      4. Charles Samuel Ramsdale baptised on Sunday, 21st April 1901 at All Saints, Hockley, Birmingham

      Charles Samuel RAMSDALE married Millicent Anne ASHBOLT (born Tuesday, 26th September 1893 in Burton) by licence in St James Parish Church, Handsworth, Staffordshire on Wednesday, 5th December 1917. Charles' age was 26 and his condition and occupation were, respectively, bachelor and "Fitter". His residence was Central Workshops, Tank Corps, British Expeditionary Force, France. Charles' father's name and occupation were given as George Samuel RAMSDALE 'labourer'. Millicent was 24 years of age, no occupation, of 117 Queens Head Road. Her father was Martin ASHBOLT ("watchman"). The four witnesses to the marriage were (1) James WYATT, (2) Henry Walter HOWES, (3) Jessie Greaves ASHBOLT and (4) Caroline Emily RAMSDALE.


      Marriage Certificate: Charles Samuel Ramsdale and Millicient Anne Ashbolt, Wednesday, 5th December 1917

      Electoral Registers (below)
      Abbreviation Meaning
      D (Dw) Spouse's occupational qualification
      HO Husband's occupational qualification
      O (Ow) Occupational qualification (women)
      R (Rw) Residential qualification (women)


      1920 Electoral Roll: 12 Milestone Lane, Handsworth Division, Soho Ward


      1922 Electoral Roll: 12 Milestone Lane, Handsworth Division, Soho Ward


      1925 Electoral Roll: 12 Milestone Lane, Handsworth Division, Soho Ward


      1927 Electoral Roll: 12 Milestone Lane, Handsworth Division, Soho Ward


      1930 Electoral Roll, 63 Boulton Road, Handsworth Division, Soho Ward


      1935 Electoral Roll, 63 Boulton Road, Handsworth Division, Soho Ward


      1939 Census: Charles Samuel Ramsdale (Friday, 17th July 1891) Printer's cutter (?) and maintenance fitter and Air Warden
      and Millicent (Tuesday, 26th September 1893) "unpaid domestic duties"

      Charles Samuel RAMSDALE died on Wednesday, 8th March 1972 at 3 Conway Close, Shirley, Solihull of (1) coronary thrombosis (2) coronary arteriosclerosis and (3) chronic bronchitis.

      Millicent Anne RAMSDALE (née ASHBOLT) died at Swallows Meadow Home, Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands age 87 on Tuesday, 23rd December 1980. The causes of death were (1a) cerebral thrombosis and (b) generalised arteriosclerosis. Her usual address was Swallows Meadow Home and the informant was Jessie Dorothy HINDE, daughter of Millicent, of 15 Highters Road, Birmingham 14.

    4. William James RAMSDALE was born on Thursday, 21st September 1893 above the shop at 215 Icknield Street, Hockley, Birmingham. William James RAMSDALE married Elsie MASON in St Silas Parish Church, Lozells, Birmingham on Sunday, 31st July 1921 in the presence of George A (her only brother) and Nellie MASON (her younger twin sister). Elsie MASON was born at 10am on Sunday, 27th September 1896 at Back 116, Heaton Street, Birmingham. At the time of their marriage William resided at 81 Alexandra Road, Handsworth, Birmingham.

      Elsie RAMSDALE (née MASON) died in the East Birmingham Hospital, Bordsley Green, Birmingham on Saturday, 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 on Monday, 19th May 1975." William died in Birmingham on Saturday, 16th January 1982. Their last home was 46 Sheppey Drive, Chelmsley Wood, West Midlands.

    5. Sidney Joseph RAMSDALE was born on Saturday, 17th April 1897 at 215 Icknield Street, Birmingham. The informant is described on the certificate of birth as Mary Ann RAMSDALE (née HORTON), mother, of Back 218 Park Road.

      6. Sidney Joseph RAMSDALE married Dorothy Mary DONOGHUE WYATT (born Tuesday, 17th May 1898) in St James Parish Church, Handsworth, Staffordshire on Saturday, 6th September 1924. Sidney Joseph's age, condition and occupation were, respectively, 26, bachelor and 'press worker' and his residence was 81 Alexandra Road. His father's name and occupation were George Samuel RAMSDALE and 'news vendor'. Dorothy's condition, occupation and residence were stated to be spinster (no occupation) and 12 Milestone Lane. Her (step) father's name and occupation are stated to be James WYATT 'motorman'. James WYATT and Ellen HARRIS witnessed the marriage.

      Kelly's Directory of Birmingham & Suburbs (1939, 1943 and 1950 editions) lists Sidney's address as 92 Teddington Grove, Perry Barr 22. Sidney died at 92 Teddington Grove, Birmingham 22 on Sunday, 19th November 1967 of (1) general carcinomatosis and (2) carcinoma of the pancreas.

      His widow, Dorothy Mary RAMSDALE (formerly WYATT née DONOGHUE), is listed as still residing at this address in Kelly's Directory of Birmingham & Suburbs (1971-2).

      Dorothy Mary RAMSDALE (formerly WYATT née DONOGHUE), widow of Sidney Joseph RAMSDALE, (retired security guard), died on Wednesday, 17th July 1991 age 93 at Dudley Road Hospital, Winson Green, Birmingham. Her usual address was 92 Teddington Grove, Birmingham 42. The causes of death were (1a) septicaemia, (b) gangrene of right leg and (c) peripheral vascular disease. The informant was Ian James HOPPER, grandson of Dorothy.


    George Frederick RAMSDALE: Notes



    (above) George Frederick RAMSDALE Medal Card

    The Regimental Medal Roll shows that "Private RAMSDALE, George F" of the Tank Corps, regimental numbers 8669 and 77079 was

    • enlisted on Friday, 3rd December 1909
    • discharged Sunday, 16th February 1919. Cause of discharge "surplus to military requirements (not having suffered impairment since entry into the service)", paragraph 392 of King's Regulations 1912 (XVIA) - see below;
    • awarded the British War Medal and the British Victory Medal but not the 1914-1915 Star which indicates that he did not serve in a field of conflict prior to 1916 (but see BEF card below)
    • a private in the South Stafford Regiment regimental number 8669

    (below) Paragraph 392 of King's Regulations 1912 (XVIA)





    (above) Private George F. RAMSDALE, Labour Corps, regimental number 247400, Medal Card (Victory and British War medals)



    (above) Private G. RAMSDALE BEF 1914 Disembarkation Card

    The British Expeditionary Force 1914 Card shows that private G. RAMSDALE, 1st Battalion South Staffordshire, regimental numbers 8669 and 77079 (Machine Gun Corps), disembarked for France on Sunday, 4th October 1914

    Heavy Branch of the Machine Gun Corps (MGC)

    In November 1916 the eight companies then in existence were each expanded to form battalions still lettered A through H; another seven battalions, I through O, were formed by January 1918, when they all were converted to numbered units. On Saturday, 28th July 1917 the Heavy Branch was by Royal Warrant separated from the rest of the MGC and given official status as the Tank Corps, meaning that by the beginning of 1918 the fifteen units were changed from letters to numbers as 1st Battalion to 15th Battalion, Tank Corps. More battalions continued to be formed, and by December 1918, 26 had been created. (At this time there were only 25 tank battalions, however; the 17th had converted to using armoured cars in April 1918). The first commander of the Tank Corps was Hugh Elles.

    The Corps saw heavy action through 1917 and 1918, with special note being given to the Battle of Cambrai (1917), which the regiment continues to commemorate annually. During the war, four members of the Corps were awarded the Victoria Cross. However, heavy losses and recurrent mechanical difficulties reduced the effectiveness of the Corps, leading the Bovington Tank School to adopt a doctrine that emphasised caution and high standards of maintenance in equal measure.

    The first experimental machine was completed in December 1915 and in March 1916 the headquarters of what was to be known as the Heavy Section Machine Gun Corps was established at Bisley under the command of Col. Swinton. Later this section was moved to Elveden Camp, where six companies of tanks were raised.

    On Sunday, 13th August 1916 four of these companies began to embark for France, but the Headquarters of the Heavy Section and its commander remained in England. The supply of machines was the responsibility of the "Mechanical Warfare Supply Department" of the Ministry of Munitions, which was controlled by Lieutenant-Colonel Albert Stern.

    Tanks were used for the first time in action on the battlefield of the Somme on Friday, 15th September 1916. 36 Mark 1 tanks of C and D Companies arrived on the start line for the renewal of the Somme offensive: this action was later designated as the Battle of Flers-Courcelette. Arguments continue as to whether it would have been better to wait until much larger numbers of tanks were available before they were used in battle. The Heavy Section MGC was redesignated as the Heavy Branch MGC in November 1916.

    Tank organisation

    The Tank Corps was formed from the Heavy Branch MGC on Friday, 27th July 1917 and the Battalions adopted numbering rather than letter designations (although tank names followed the same lettering: for example, 7th Battalion tanks were all named with a letter G, like Grouse, Grumble, etc.) Each Tank Battalion had a complement of 32 officers amd 374 men.

    On Army Form B265 - Short Service (All Arms) - "7 years with the Colours and 5 years in the reserve, or, if the man completes his 7 years' service with the Colours while beyond the seas, then for a further period, not exceeding one year, with the Colours, and the remainder of the 12 years in the reserve)" - the attestation of George Frederick RAMSDALE (number 8669 deleted and 77079 inserted and "S. Stafford Regt" deleted and M.G.C. (H) inserted) and dated Friday, 3 December 1909 provides the following information:
    1 What is your name ? George Frederick Ramsdale
    2 In or near what parish or town were you born ? In the parish of All Saints near the town of Birmingham in the county of Warwickshire
    3 Are you a British subject ? Yes
    4 What is your age ? 18 years 4 months
    5 What is your trade or calling ? Carter
    6 Have you ever resided out of your father's house for three years continuously in the same place … No
    7 Are you, or have you been, an apprentice ? If so … No
    8 Are you married ? No
    9 Have you ever been sentenced to imprisonment by the civil power ? No
    10 Do you now belong to the Army, the Marines, the Militia, the Militia Reserve, the Territorial Force, the Royal Navy, the Army Reserve (Regular or Special), or any Naval Reserve Force ? If so, to what Corps ? Yes, "4th Bn So Stafford Reg & Reserves"
    11 Have you ever served in the Army, the Marines, the Militia, the Militia Reserve, the Imperial Yeomanry, the Territorial Force, the Royal Navy, the Volunteers, the Army Reserve (Regular or Special), or any Naval Reserve Force ? If so, state which and cause of discharge No, except as above, still serving
    12 Have you truly stated the whole, if any, of your previous service ? Yes
    13 Have you ever been rejected as unfit for the Military or Naval Forces of the Crown ? If so, on what grounds ? No
    14 Are you willing to be vaccinated or re-vaccinated ? Yes
    15 For what Corps are you willing to be enlisted, or are you willing to be enlisted for General Service ? "South Stafford Reg"
    16 (deleted)  
    17 Do you understand that, notwithstanding you enlist for a dismounted Corps, you are liable to be trained and employed in such mounted duties as may be required ? Yes
    18 Did you receive a Notice, and do you understand its meaning, and who gave it to you ? "Yes, Sgt A Share of 3 S. S. Rgt"
    19 Are you willing to serve upon the following conditions provided His Majesty should so long require your service ? Yes
    (a) For the term of twelve years, for the first seven years in Army Service and for the remaining five years in the Army Reserve. If at the termination of such period of Army Service you are serving beyond the seas then for a further period in Army Service of one year, or such lesser period as may be determined after which you will be sent home with all convenient speed to complete the remaining portion of such period of 12 years in the Army Reserve.
    (b) If, at the expiration of the above-mentioned term of Army Service a state of War exists, then, if so directed by the Competent Military Authority, to serve in Army Services for a further period not exceeding 12 months.
    (c) If, at the expiration of the above-mentioned term of Army Service, you are so required by a Proclamation from His Majesty in case of incumbent national danger or great emergency, then to serve in Army Services so as to complete your term of 12 years and for a further period not exceeding 12 months.
    (d) If the above-mentioned term of 12 years expires while you are on service with the Regular Forces (i) beyond the seas or (ii) while a state of war exists with a Foreign Power, or (iii) while Soldiers in the Reserves are required by proclamation to continue in, or  re-enter upon, Army Service, and you … then to serve for a further period …

    I, George Frederick Ramsdale, do solemnly declare that the above answers made by me to the above questions are true (…) George Frederick RAMSDALE (Signature of Recruit)

    … Lichfield Friday, 3rd December 1909

    The answer to question 4 gives the age of George Frederick RAMSDALE as 18 years and 4 months i.e. a date of birth of circa July 1891, notwithstanding that his actual date of birth was Sunday, 23rd January 1887 (i.e. his actual age was 22 years 11 months and 14 days). His brother, Charles Samuel RAMSDALE, was born on Friday, 17th July 1891 and it would therefore appear that George Frederick RAMSDALE gave Charles Samuel RAMSDALE's date of birth as his own.



    (above) 1918 'Absent Voters' List'
    William James RAMSDALE 94210, Sergeant, 158 Co., Lab. Coy.
    Charles Samuel RAMSDALE 77079, Private, Cen. Wks., Tank C.
    81 Alexandra Avenue, Handsworth

    In the 1918 'Absent Voters' List' for Handsworth Division, Soho Ward, the residence of William James RAMSDALE and Charles Samuel RAMSDALE is given as 81 Alexandra Avenue. Note that Charles Samuel RAMSDALE is identified as '77079, Private, Central Works, Tank Corps' which is George Frederick RAMSDALE's regiment and regimental number. William James RAMSDALE is a sergeant in the 158th Labour Corps.



    (above) 1918 'Absent Voters' List'
    George Frederick RAMSDALE 247400, 3rd Devons.
    4 Back of 51 Lennox Street, St Paul's Ward, West Birmingham Division

    In the 1918 'Absent Voters' List' for St Paul's Ward, West Birmingham Division, the residence of George Frederick RAMSDALE is given as 4 Back of 51 Lennox Street and his service details are stated to be '247400 3rd Devons' (Labour Corps).


    Spring 1919 'Absent Voters List', 81 Alexandra Avenue, Handsworth with deleted military service details for Charles Samuel RAMSDALE.


    1919 'Absent Voters' List' for St Paul's Ward, West Birmingham Division.

    In the 1919 'Absent Voters' List' for St Paul's Ward, West Birmingham Division, the residence of George Frederick RAMSDALE is given as 4 Back of 51 Lennox Street and his service details are stated to be "247400, 3rd Devons, Labour Corps".

    George Frederick RAMSDALE

    United Kingdom, World War I Service Records, 1914-1920

    https://www.familysearch.org/

    Name: George Frederick RAMSDALE
    Event Type: Military Service
    Event Year: 1919
    Residence Place: Birmingham, Warwickshire, England
    Age: 27
    Military Company/Regiment: Tank Corps
    Military Regiment: 77079
    Military Battalion: Central Workshops
    Birth Year (Estimated): 1892
    Birthplace: All Saints, Warwickshire, England
    Name: George Frederick RAMSDALE
    Event Type: Military Service
    Event Year: 1909
    Residence Place: Birmingham, Warwickshire, England
    Age: 18
    Military Company/Regiment: South Staffordshire Regiment
    Military Regiment: 8669
    Military Battalion: 3rd Battalion
    Birth Year (Estimated): 1891
    Birthplace: All Saints, Warwickshire, England
    Name: George Frederick RAMSDALE
    Event Type: Military Service
    Residence Place: Birmingham, Warwickshire, England
    Military Company/Regiment: Machine Gun Corps
    Military Regiment: 77079
    Military Battalion: Heavy Battery
    Birthplace: All Saints, Warwickshire, England
    Name George Frederick RAMSDALE
    Event Type Birth Registration
    Registration Quarter Jan-Feb-Mar
    Registration Year 1887
    Registration District Birmingham
    County Warwickshire
    Event Place Birmingham, Warwickshire, England
    Volume 6D
    Page 184
    Line Number 168

    Citing this Record

    "England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2X56-VTF: 1 October 2014), George Frederick Ramsdale, 1887; from "England & Wales Births, 1837-2006," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com: 2012); citing Birth Registration, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England, citing General Register Office, Southport, England.

    Record Details for 'C Ramsdale' (South Staffordshire Regiment)
    First Name C (incorrect forename initial as the service number 8669 indicates this is George Frederick RAMSDALE (see below).
    Surname RAMSDALE
    Report Date Tuesday, 8 December 1914
    Information Listed as "wounded" on the Casualty List issued by the War Office from Tuesday, 8 December 1914.
    Further Information This man was entitled to wear a "Wound Stripe" as authorised under Army Order 204 of the 6th July 1916. The terms of this award being met by their naming on this list.
    Rank Private
    Service Number 8669
    Duty Location France and Flanders
    Service British Army
    Primary Unit South Staffordshire Regiment
    Archive Reference DT30011915

    Name Ramsdale, Charles Samuel
    Year of birth: circa 1892
    Place of birth: Birmingham, Warwick
    Location in 1911: Gibraltar
    Regimental No: (not given)
    Rank Private
    Regiment South Staffordshire Regiment, 1st Battalion

    South Staffordshire Regiment during WW1

    The Regiment raised a total of 18 battalions and was awarded 66 battle honours, 3 Victoria Crosses and lost 6,357 men during the course of the war. However, only the 1st and 2nd battalions were engaged in France/Flanders in December 1914 when George Frederick RAMSDALE (or Charles Samuel RAMSDALE) was wounded.

    1st Battalion

    Charles Samuel RAMSDALE (and possibly also George Frederick RAMSDALE's battalion according to medal card "1 S. Staff. R. 8669 Pte" but 3rd battalion is also mentioned):

    • Tuesday, 4 August 1914 Stationed at Pietermaritzburg, South Africa at the outbreak of war.
    • Thursday, 27 August 1914 Embarked for England from Capetown landing at Southampton Saturday, 19 September 1914 joining the 22nd Brigade of the 7th Division and moved to Lyndhurst.
    • Wednesday, 7 October 1914 mobilised for war and landed at Zeebrugge (Flanders) and engaged in various actions on the Western Front including, during 1914, the First Battle of Ypres.

    2nd Battalion

    • Tuesday, 4 August 1914 stationed at Aldershot as part of the 6th Brigade of the 2nd Division.
    • Thursday, 13 August 1914 mobilised for war and landed at Le Havre (France) and engaged in various actions on the western front including, during 1914, the Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, the Battle of the Marne, the Battle of the Aisne and the first Battle of Ypres.

    3rd (Reserve) Battalion

    • Tuesday, 4 August 1914 Stationed at Lichfield and then moved to Plymouth. [N.B. George Frederick RAMSDALE listed as "wounded" on the Casualty List issued by the War Office from Tuesday, 8 December 1914, being a time when the 3rd Battalion was stationed at Lichfield or Plymouth].
    • May 1915 Moved to Sunderland and then Forest Hall, Newcastle where it remained.

    WW1 Medals

    The 1914 Star was instituted in 1917 for service ashore in France and Flanders between 5 August and 22 November 1914. In 1919 a clasp bearing the above dates was authorised and given to those individuals who had actually been under fire between the prescribed dates, popularly known as the 'Mons star' there were 378,000 awarded in total.

    1914 Star: the 1914/15 Star was instituted in 1918 and awarded to those individuals who saw service in France and Flanders from 23 November 1914 to 31 December 1915, and to those individuals who saw service in any other operational theatre from 5 August 1914 to 31 December 1915.  A person who served during the period of 5th August 1914 and 31st December 1915 would have been awarded one or the other of the 'stars' (ie either the 1914 star which has '1914' on the scroll OR the 1914-15 star which has '1914-15' on the scroll, NOT both. 2,366,000 awarded in total.

    Victory Medal: with the information in 'C' Ramsdale's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the Victory medal, also called the Inter Allied Victory Medal. This medal was awarded to all who received the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star and, with certain exceptions, to those who received the British War Medal. It was never awarded alone. These three medals were sometimes irreverently referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred. Eligibility for this award consisted of having been mobilised, fighting, having served in any of the theatres of operations, or at sea, between midnight 4th/5th August, 1914, and midnight, 11th/12th November, 1918. Women who served in any of the various military organisations in a theatre of operations were also eligible.

    British War Medal: with the information in 'C Ramsdale's' record, it is likely that he was entitled to the British War Medal for service in World War One. This British Empire campaign medal was issued for services between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918. The medal was automatically awarded in the event of death on active service before the completion of this period.

    William James RAMSDALE (1893 to 1982)

    William James RAMSDALE 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 brother George and twin sister Nellie. At the time of their marriage William James RAMSDALE resided at 81 Alexandra Road, Handsworth, Birmingham.

    Elsie RAMSDALE (née MASON) died on Thursday, 15th May 1975 at East Birmingham Hospital, Bordsley Green, Birmingham of (1) bronchopneumonia due to recumbency following fractured left femur (2) fall at home and (3) accidental death: "Certificate received from G. Billington, Coroner for Birmingham District. Inquest held Monday, 19th May 1975."

    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

    1. Mabel Elsie RAMSDALE, born on Saturday, 6th December 1924
    2. Robert William RAMSDALE, born on Monday, 3rd December 1928

    Mabel Elsie RAMSDALE, born on Saturday, 6th December 1924, married Horace BRIDGES on Saturday, 12th June 1948.

    Children

    1. Helen BRIDGES, born on Saturday, 5th March 1955, married Richard HUGHES on Saturday, 19th 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

    1. 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
    2. 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):

    Notes: Charles Samuel RAMSDALE




    (above) Baptisms solemnized in the Parish of All Saints, in the County of Birmingham, in the year (1901)
    Charles Samuel RAMSDALE born Friday, 17th July 1891
    Baptised Sunday, April 21st 1901
    parents George Samuel RAMSDALE (wire drawer) and Mary Ann RAMSDALE of 2 Back 118 Park Road

    • Name: Charles Samuel RAMSDALE
    • Birth Date: Friday, 17th July 1891
    • Baptism Date: Sunday, 21st April 1901
    • Baptism Place: All Saints, Hockley, Birmingham, Warwickshire
    • Father: George Samuel RAMSDALE
    • Mother: Mary Ann (RAMSDALE)



    (above) 1939 National Register for Birmingham QCGI 384/1 (Friday, 29th September 1939)
    Charles S. RAMSDALE (printers cutter and maintenance fitter (Air Raid Warden)
    Millicent A. RAMSDALE (unpaid domestic duties)



    (above) 1911 England Census for Private Charles Samuel RAMSDALE
    Military, Infantry, 1st Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment
    no trade or occupation, single, age 19

    Electoral Registers (below)
    Abbreviation Meaning
    D (Dw) Spouse's occupational qualification
    HO Husband's occupational qualification
    O (Ow) Occupational qualification (women)
    R (Rw) Residential qualification (women)



    (above) 1925 Midlands Electoral Register
    Charles Samuel, Sidney Joseph and Millicent Annie RAMSDALE
    12 Milestone Lane



    (above) 1935 & 1939 Midlands Electoral Register
    Charles Samuel and Millicent Annie RAMSDALE
    63 Boulton Road
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