Notes
Note N00087
Index
Age at death on 30 March 1858 was 67 years and Martha was therefore born in the year 1791. Cause of death described as "Phthisis" - pulmonary tuberculosis (formerly any progressive wasting disease). Buried on 4 April 1858 described as aged 67 [Greater Birmingham Burial Index].
The 1851 census (taken on 31 March) identifies Martha's age as 59 which puts her year of birth as 1792 and her place of birth as Birmingham.
So, Martha was 59 on 31 March 1851 (census) and 67 on 30 March 1858 (death certificate). No birth or baptism record for Martha yet found.
Notes
Note N00088
Index
The Thomas Horton recorded as having died on this date was 82 years of age and will require checking.
Notes
Note N00090
Index
Illiterate.
Notes
Note N00091
Index
Illiterate.
Notes
Note N00094
Index
Maiden name may have been Hopkins.
Notes
Note N00096
Index
Surname spelt Blunn when married.
Notes
Note N00097
Index
No record of burial in the parish of Bromsgrove prior to 1783.
Notes
Note N00102
Index
Described in 1801 burial record as a pauper. Could have died on 1 February 1801, as burial entry records "(?) wife of Samuel, pauper, buried in St John Baptist Church, Bromsgrove."
Notes
Note N00105
Index
Death certificate (14 June1899) records cause of death as (1) ulcer of leg, (2) Pyaemia and (3) exhaustion. Post mortem carried out. Address at time of death was Back 218, Park Road, Birmingham. Pyaemia (or pyemia) 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.
1881 census
Dwelling: 62A Wellington Road
Census Place: Edgbaston, Warwick, England
Source: FHL Film 1341707 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 2954 Folio 69 Page 4
Marr Age Sex Birthplace
Catherine JONES M 33 F Birmingham, Warwick, England
George JONES M 45 M Dudley, Worcester, England
Christing JONES 2 F Dudley, Worcester, England
Agnes MACARTHY U 33 F Birmingham, Warwick, England
Fanny ARNOLD U 15 F Meridan, Warwick, England
Mary A. HORTON U 20 F Sutton, Warwick, England
Notes
Note N00118
Index
WJR was born on 21 September 1893 above the shop at 215 Icknield Street, Hockley, Birmingham, the fourth child of George Samuel Ramsdale and Mary Ann Horton. He died in Birmingham on 15 May 1976.
WJR married Elsie Mason on 31 July 1921 at St.Silas parish church, Lozells, Birmingham. Witnesses to the marriage were George A and Nellie Mason. At the time of marriage WJR resided at 81 Alexander Road, Handsworth, Birmingham. In December 1924 and 1928 he lived at 43 Haseley Road, Handsworth.
WJR of 3 Back 118 Park Road, Hockley, Birmingham was indentured as a Letterpress Machineman to J G Hammond and Company Limited, Printers and Publishers, of 12 to 16 Scotland Passage and 139 Moor Street, Birmingham on 24 October 1910 at the following rates of pay:
(1) from date of indenture to the age of 17 years, 8 shillings a week
(2) from the age of 17 to the age of 18, 9 shillings a week
(3) from the age of 18 to the age of 19, 11 shillings a week
(4) from the age of 19 to the age of 20, 13 shillings a week
(5) from the age of 20 to the age of 21, 15 shillings a week.
The Deed of Indenture is endorsed with the signatures of William James and his father George Samuel Ramsdale, and "As we understand William James Ramsdale is about to enlist in the army we agree to cancel the remaining portion of his indenture. August 31st, 1914."
WJR's occupation in 1928 was Printer Journeyman. On 9 November 1940 F J Palmer, director of J G Hammond wrote the following reference:
"Mr W J Ramsdale has been employed by this Company for nearly 30 years as a machine minder and we have always found him during the whole of this period a most willing, honest, sober and trustworthy servant. In the ordinary way we should have been pleased to have employed him for many more years but unfortunately enemy action has made this impossible. We have no hesitation in saying in our opinion he will prove as valuable servant to you as he has done to us."
WJR enlisted (#4573, regimental number 94210) in the Sixth [Service] Battalion of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry on 29 August 1914 and served in that regiment until 19 May 1916 when he was transferred to the 10th (Light) Royal Berkshire Regiment. On 13 May 1917 he was transferred to the 158th Labour Corps.
Source - "Certificate of Employment During the War" (Army Form Z 18) completed by Lieutenant L V Wilson whose "Special Remarks" read as follows:
"During the whole time this NCO has been with this Company he has given the entire satisfaction as a Sergeant."
WJR's trade before enlistment is described on the Certificate as "Printer (Letterpress)".
These facts are also confirmed in the "Certificate of Transfer to Reserve Z on Demobilization" (Army Form Z 21) which describes his Medical Category as "B11".
WJR was decorated three times - the 1914-15 Star as a private (15ST Roll LC/32C Page R/41/1) and twice as a sergeant - British War & Victory Medals (BWM.VIC. Roll LC/101 B57 Page 5762) and wounded twice.
The 1914 - 15 Star was issued to all who served in a theatre of war between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915 who did not qualify for the 1914 Star. Recipients automatically qualified for the British War and Victory Medals. The British War Medal was issued to all those who served overseas during the period 1914 - 20. The Victory Medal was awarded to all those who saw service in a theatre of war.
WW1 medals were not awarded until after the end of the Great War and attributed to the particular regiments in which the decorated soldiers were then serving - in the case of William James Ramsdale, the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry.
He arrived in France on 21 May 1915 and was eventually assigned to Class Z Reserve on 26 March 1919 (most fit soldiers were transferred to this category) - Serial # ZR 47/R/99.
By letter dated 4 February 1922 the Ministry of Pensions notified WJR, then residing at 81 Alexander Road, Handsworth, Birmingham, as follows:
(1) Disability: GSW (gun shot wound) left thighGSW knee
(2) Decision on Entitlement: Nil Disability due to Service
The accompanying letter from the Awards Section of the Ministry of Pensions reads as follows:
"I am directed by the Minister of Pensions to inform you that having considered the report furnished in connection with your recent medical examination, he has decided to award you a Final Weekly Allowance of 8/6 (eight shillings and sixpence) for 69 weeks plus terminal gratuity of £10-0-0 (Ten Pounds) payable only at end of period."
The Character Certificate (Army Form B 2067) dated 17th August 1923 states that WJR's "character during his service with the Colours has been 'Exemplary'." and that WJR had been transferred to the Reserve on 26 March 1919 "... after having served with the Colours for four years two hundred and nine days."
The 32nd Foot was raised in 1702 as Fox's Marines and became the Cornwall Regiment in 1782. The 46th Foot was raised in 1741 as Price's Regiment. Fox's Marines and Price's Regiment were linked as 1st and 2nd Battalions, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, in 1881.
The regimental march is a combination of "Trelawny" and "One and All".
The museum is in the Keep, Bodmin Barracks, Bodmin, Cornwall PL31 1EG [01208 72810] before which stands a statue of a soldier in the fighting kit of WW1. St Petroc's Church in Bodmin contains other memorials and the Colours.
WW1 battles fought by the regiment include Mons, Marne 1914, Ypres 1915 & 1917, Somme 1916 & 1918, Arras 1917, Passchendaele, Cambrai 1917 & 1918, Sambre, Doiran 1917 & 1918, Gaza.
Movements of the Division:
(1) formed at Bodmin in August 1914 and sent to Aldershot as the 43rd Brigade, 14th Division
(2) renamed the 14th [Light] Division on 14 September 1914
(3) inspected on Queen's Parade by the King on 26 September 1914
(4) billeted in the Guildford and Godalming district in November 1914
(5) inspected on Hankley Common by Earl Kitchener on 22 January 1915
(6) sent to Stanhope Lines, Aldershot on 18 February 1915
(7) warned to proceed overseas on 11 May 1915
(8) entrainment began on 18 May 1915
(9) landed at Boulogne on 21 May 1915
(10) disbanded in France on 20 February 1918
Battles:
(1) 30 July to 22 September 1915 - Hooge [German liquid fire attack] & Bellewaarde
(2) 13 August to 16 September 1916 - Somme, Delville Wood, Flers - Courcelette
(3) 14 March to 5 April 1917 - Hindenburg Line, Arras, Scarpe, Ypres, Langemarch, Menin Road & Passchendaele
During WW1 WJR's home address was 43 Haseley Road, Handsworth, Birmingham 21 (QCFO/163/1) - being the address endorsed on his military identity tag.
Elsie died on 15 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 19th May 1975.”
William James also died of bronchopneumonia at East Birmingham Hospital on 15 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.