William Havelock Ramsden
| William Havelock Ramsden | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 3 October 1888 |
| Died | 1969 |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | 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.
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Giffard Le Quesne Martel |
50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division 1941–1942 |
Succeeded by John Nichols |
| Preceded by Willoughby Norrie |
GOC XXX Corps July 1942 – September 1942 |
Succeeded by Oliver Leese |
| Preceded by Eric Hayes |
GOC 3rd Infantry Division 1942–1943 |
Succeeded by Tom Rennie |