Ronald Erskine Ramsay was the first Suffragan Bishop of Malmesbury, with the additional title of Archdeacon of Swindon, from 1927 until 1946.
He was born on 4 November 1882 [1] and educated at St Edmund Hall, Oxford. Ordained in 1909 his first post was a curacy in Lozells. Later Warden of the Clifton College Mission, he served during the First World War as a chaplain to the Forces. He had been interviewed in May 1916, and his experience of extempore preaching at open-air meetings made him a suitable candidate for the Chaplaincy.[2] He served for one year in France with the Glosters including when they were active during the Battle of the Somme[3] Following this he was Clerical Secretary to the Bristol Board of Finance until his ordination to the episcopate. A man of deep compassion,[4] he retired in 1946[5] and died on 26 March 1954.[6]
An obituary on one of his sons referred to his father, Ronald, being a notable cricketer and the only bishop known to have been captain of his golf club.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ “Who was Who” 1897-2007 London, A & C Black, 2007 ISBN 978-0-19-954087-7
- ^ Index Card Museum of Army Chaplaincy
- ^ TNA Wo339/108411
- ^ Grateful Society president
- ^ Ecclesiastical News Bishop Of Malmesbury to retire The Times Thursday, Aug 29, 1946; pg. 6; Issue 50542; col B
- ^ Obituary- Bishop R. E. Ramsay The Times Saturday, Mar 27, 1954; pg. 8; Issue 52891; col D
- ^ The Times obituary,30.11.2010