Rank: Major
Peter was born on December 1, 1864 in Edinburgh, Scotland to William and Fanny (nee Scarth) Ramsay. He articled in law and then served as a Lieutenant in the Third Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry. He married Sophia Probert of Edinburgh in 1886 and the same year immigrated to Canada. They settled in Manitoba where he farmed until 1898 at which time they moved to Brandon and Peter opened a cigar factory. The Ramsay’s had five children; Susan, Florence, Daisy, William and Peter. In 1896, he was commissioned a Lieutenant in the Manitoba Dragoons and stationed in Virden. In 1904, the unit was converted into the Canadian Mounted Rifles and Peter was appointed Captain of “A” Squadron. He was a member of the Brandon Board of Trade and in 1903, he was elected President of the Brandon Club.
The Ramsays decided to move to BC in 1911 where they farmed and grew fruit trees in their orchard. On May 20, 1916, while living in Chilliwack, BC, Peter enlisted with the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force at New Westminster, BC. He served as a Major with the 1st Depot Battalion, British Columbia Infantry Regiment. He was accidentally injured on March 25, 1917, resigned his commission on September 23, 1917 and returned to Canada. He received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Pete Jr. had purchased ½ section of land in the Bezanson area and Peter Sr. was involved in the farming operation. At one point, he grew fruit trees in an experimental plot from trees that were developed at the Experimental Station in Manitoba. Peter retired in 1930 and eventually moved to Vancouver with his wife, Sophia. Sophia passed away in September 1934 and Peter subsequently married Aileen Green. Peter passed away on August 8, 1952 with his ashes being interred at the Vancouver Crematorium Ltd. Aileen passed away in 1971.
Contributed by Wanda Zenner
Sources:
Canada 1926 Census
Manitoba Historical Society
Service File
BC Death Records