The Airmen's Stories - P/O J B Ramsay

John Basil Ramsay, of Lilliput, Dorset, was born in India on July 7th 1919. He was educated at Bishops Stortford College. He joined the RAF on a short service commission in July 1938. After completing his ab initio course at 10 E&RFTS, Yatesbury Ramsay went to No 1 RAF Depot, Uxbridge on September 17th for a short disciplinary course. He moved on to 9 FTS, Hullavington on October 1st, went to 6 ATS Cranwell on April 11th 1939, returned to Hullavington on May 5th and on the 14th joined 24 (Communications) Squadron at Hendon.

The squadron went to France on January 23rd 1940 and was finally withdrawn to Hendon on May 29th. Ramsay was posted to 7 OTU, Hawarden and, after converting to fighters, he joined 151 Squadron at North Weald on July 29th 1940.

Ramsay failed to return from an engagement with enemy aircraft over Chelmsford on August 18th in Hurricane R4181 and was reported 'Missing'. His name appears on the Runnymede Memorial.

However, a post-war excavation of a Hurricane at Deal Hall Farm, Holliwell Point, Essex proved to be Ramsay's and his remains were still in the cockpit.

He was buried with full military honours at Brookwood Military Cemetery on October 25th 1983.