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

John Basil Ramsay, of Lilliput, Dorset, was born in India on 7th July 1919, the son of Christopher Allan Ramsay and of Esme Sarah Ramsay (nee Batters).

He was educated at Bishops Stortford College. He joined the RAF on a short service commission in July 1938.

After completing his initial training course at 10 E&RFTS Yatesbury Ramsay went to No. 1 RAF Depot Uxbridge on 17th September for a short induction course. He moved on to 9 FTS Hullavington on 1st October, went to 6 ATS Cranwell on 11th April 1939, returned to Hullavington on 5th May and on the 14th joined 24 (Communications) Squadron at Hendon.

The squadron went to France on 23rd January 1940 and was finally withdrawn to Hendon on 29th May.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

Ramsay failed to return from an engagement with enemy aircraft over Chelmsford on 18th August 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 25th October 1983.