William Ramsden (British Army officer)
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (January 2013) |
William Havelock Ramsden | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 3 October 1888 |
| Died | 1969 |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ | British Army |
| Years of service | 1910–45 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Unit | West India Regiment East Yorkshire Regiment |
| Commands held | British Troops in Sudan and Eritrea 3rd Infantry Division XXX Corps 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division 25th Infantry Brigade West Lancashire Area 1st Battalion, Hampshire Regiment |
| Battles/wars | First World War Second World War |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Service Order Military Cross |
Major General William Havelock Ramsden, CB, CBE, DSO, MC (3 October 1888 – 1969) was a senior British Army officer during the Second World War.
Military career
Educated at Bath College and at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, Ramsden was commissioned as a second lieutenant into the West India Regiment in 1910.[1] He served in the First World War in the Cameroons and in Nigeria and then, from 1916, as a captain in the East Yorkshire Regiment, in France and Belgium.[1] Between the wars Ramsden remained in the British Army, reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel by 1933, and securing command of the 1st Battalion, Hampshire Regiment in 1936.[1] He was on active service on operations in Waziristan and Palestine during this period.[1] He went on to be Commander of the West Lancashire Area in 1939.[1]
He fought in the Second World War, commanding the 25th Infantry Brigade during the fighting in France in May 1940 as part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF).[1] In December 1940 he was appointed General Officer Commanding the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division which fought well in North Africa.[1] He was promoted to command XXX Corps in July 1942, which post he held until September 1942.[1] He was given Bernard Montgomery's old command, the 3rd Infantry Division, in December 1942.[1] From early 1944 he was deployed to the Sudan, later commanding British Troops in Sudan and Eritrea. He retired in 1945.[1]
References
External links and sources
- "William Havelock Ramsden". Orders of Battle.com.
- Use dmy dates from April 2012
- 1888 births
- 1969 deaths
- British Army personnel of World War I
- British Army generals of World War II
- East Yorkshire Regiment officers
- Companions of the Order of the Bath
- Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
- Companions of the Distinguished Service Order
- Graduates of the Royal Military College, Sandhurst
- Recipients of the Military Cross