Horace Edward Ramsden

Carried his wounded brother from the enemy guns at Mafeking.

Horace Edward Ramsden was born at Chester in December 1878. His family moved to South Africa, where he attended school in Cape Town. He served with Prince Alfred's Artillery during the Bechuanaland operations before joining the Protectorate Regiment with his younger brother Alfred in 1899.

On 26 December 1899, British troops attacked the Boer position at Game Tree near Mafeking. The defences proved much stronger than expected and the assault suffered severe losses. During the withdrawal, Ramsden found Alfred about ten yards from the Boer trenches with both legs wounded.

He lifted his brother and carried him several hundred yards under fire. He had to stop to rest, but continued until other soldiers helped get Alfred to safety. The rescue brought the Victoria Cross, announced in July 1900 and presented by Lord Roberts at Pretoria that October.

After the war Ramsden obtained a commission in the Johannesburg Mounted Rifles and served in the South African Police. During the First World War he went to German South-West Africa with Hartigan's Horse. Captured in April 1915, he was released in July. He returned to police service and later worked as a civil servant in the Cape Town area.

Ramsden died in August 1948 and was cremated at Maitland. His extensive medal group, covering Bechuanaland, the South African War, First World War service and police service, was purchased for the Ashcroft collection in 1999.

Victoria Cross citation (excerpt)

“carried him about 600 or 800 yards under a heavy fire”

London Gazette, 6 July 1900.