William Havelock Ramsden

William Havelock Ramsden CB CBE DSO MC Mentioned in Dispatches three times, was a noted British Army commander during the Second World War .

Early history

Born on 3 October 1888, Ramsden was educated at Bath College and at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He was commissioned into the West India Regiment in 1910.

World War I

At the start of the First World War Ramsden was sent to the Cameroons until 1916 when he received a commission as captain in The East Yorkshire Regiment .

He served on the battlefields of France from 1917 to 1918.

Inter-war years

Between the wars Ramsden remained in the Army reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel by 1933, getting command of the 1st Battalion, The Hampshire Regiment in 1936. He was on active service on operations in Waziristan and Palestine during this period.

Second World War

At the start of the Second World War Ramsden commanded the 25th Infantry Brigade during the fighting in France as part of the BEF.

From 13 December 1940 to 7 July 1942 he was in command of the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division which fought well in North Africa. He was promoted to command XXX Corps until September 1942.

After losing command of XXX Corps he was given command of Montgomery's old command the 3rd Infantry Division. From early 1944 he was sent to the Sudan, later commanding British Troops in Sudan and Eritrea.

Ramsden retired in 1945.

External links and Sources

*oob person | id = 1190 | name = William Havelock Ramsden