Horace Edward Ramsden

Infobox Military Person
name= Horace Edward Ramsden


caption=
born= December 15, 1878
died= August 3, 1948
placeofbirth=Chester, England
placeofdeath=
nickname=
allegiance= United Kingdom Commonwealth
branch=
serviceyears=
rank= Trooper
unit= Protectorate Regiment
commands=
battles=
awards= Victoria Cross
relations=
laterwork=

Horace Edward Ramsden VC (December 15, 1878 - August 3, 1948) was a South African recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

He was 21 years old, and a Trooper in the Protectorate Regiment (N.W. Cape Colony), South African Forces during the South African War (Boer War) when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 26 December 1899 near Mafeking, South Africa, during the action at Game Tree, after the order to retire had been given, Trooper Ramsden picked up his brother who had been shot through both legs and was lying some 10 yards from the Boer trenches. He carried him about 600 to 800 yards under heavy fire (putting him down from time to time to rest) until help arrived and the injured man was carried to a place of safety. The VC was awarded for saving his brother's life.

The medal

The medal was auctioned in South Africa by Stephan Welz and Co. (incorporating Sotheby's) on 25 October 1999 for R500.000 (about 50.000 Pounds) and was bought by Lord Ashcroft, former Conservative Party treasurer in the UK and now deputy chairman.

References

* Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
* The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
*Victoria Crosses of the Anglo-Boer War (Ian Uys, 2000)
*Mike Mocke

External links

* [http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/aaauctio.htm VC medal auction details]
* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=11300480 Find-A-Grave profile for Horace Edward Ramsden]