Bertram Home Ramsay

Admiral SIR Bertram Home Ramsay, K.C.B., K.B.E., M.V.O. (20 January, 1883 – 2 January, 1945) served in the Royal Navy in both world wars, dying in an aircraft accident while flying to meet with Bernard Montgomery.

Life & Career

Ramsay was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 15 December, 1904.

Ramsay took the long signal course in 1908-09, having requested the signal branch in light of the fact that he would not be required to coal ship.

He served as Flag-Lieutenant to Rear-Admiral Keppel in Albemarle under the command of Captain Chatfield. Chatfield recorded that Ramsay possessed a willful and rather temeritous streak:

He was a bright young Lieutenant of great ability and keenness, but lacking in tact. The difficulty was, he tried to run me through the Admiral; such as coming on the bridge when we were about to unmoor at Oslo. We were the only ship present, and without consulting me he hoisted a signal for Albemarle to unmoor and weigh southern anchor first. Which, of couse, I ignored, as it was the wrong anchor! Then he ran against David Beatty, Captain of the Queen. In a squadron signal exercise off Dover, Ramsay made a signal: "The Queen's signalmen are a disgrace to the Fleet." David Beatty came aboard the Albemarle at 9 o'clock the next morning in frock coat and sword, and made a furious complaint to poor Colin who, like me, knew nothing about it.

Ramsay was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 15 December, 1912.

Great War

Ramsay was promoted to the rank of Commander on 30 June, 1915.

Ramsay was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June, 1925.

Ramsay was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 9 May, 1935.

Inter-War

The First Sea Lord, Admiral of the Fleet Sir A. Ernle M. Chatfield, wrote to Admiral of the Fleet Sir Reginald Y. Tyrwhitt, Bart., on 24 February, 1936:

I can quite understand that as an old friend of Ramsay's how worried you are about his situation. He is also an old friend of mine. I wish you had heard Roger Backhouse's side of the case as well as Ramsay's and I even now suggest, for your own consideration, whether you should not obtain it before you come to see me. There is no doubt in my mind, unless Roger is an entirely unreliable person, which I am satisfied he is not, as I am sure you also are, that Ramsay failed very badly in the NELSON. He was unable to accommodate himself to the Commander-in-Chief's wishes, wishes which to my mind were entirely correct, and after a thorough warning his refusing to comply with his wishes he did not alter his methods and the Commander-in-Chief had consequently no alternative but to apply for his relief. This, however, Ramsay forestalled which was possibly the best plan for both. If I had been in Roger Backhouse's place I am satisfied I should have acted exactly as he did.

World War II

Ramsay was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on the retired list on 12 January, 1939.

Ramsay was restored to the Active List on 26 April, 1944 promoted to the rank of Admiral the following day.

See Also

• Service Records
• Wikipedia

Naval Appointments
Preceded by New Command	Captain of H.M.S. M.25 26 Aug, 1915 – 25 Oct, 1917	Succeeded by Arthur C. Fawssett
Preceded by Edward R. G. R. Evans	Captain of H.M.S. Broke 25 Oct, 1917 – 15 Jan, 1919	Succeeded by Henry G. L. Oliphant
Preceded by Miles B. Birkett	Captain of H.M.S. Weymouth 20 Oct, 1924 – 8 Mar, 1925	Succeeded by Edgar W. Buchanan
Preceded by Francis M. Austin	Captain of H.M.S. Danae 8 Mar, 1925 – Mar, 1927	Succeeded by Lachlan D. I. MacKinnon
Preceded by Arthur L. Snagge	Captain of H.M.S. Kent 27 Jul, 1929 – 19 Jun, 1931	Succeeded by John H. Godfrey
Preceded by Kenelm E. L. Creighton	Captain of H.M.S. Royal Sovereign 25 Nov, 1933 – 18 Jun, 1935	Succeeded by Frank Elliott
Preceded by Thomas F. P. Calvert	Chief of Staff to C-in-C, Atlantic Fleet 16 Aug, 1935	Succeeded by ?
Preceded by Alexander P. Davidson as Captain-in-Charge, Dover	Flag Officer-in-Charge, Dover 24 Aug, 1939 – 23 Apr, 1942	Succeeded by Robert L. B. Cunliffe