Private Sydney Ramsey

Sydney Ramsey was born in Hull, Yorkshire on 17 February 1919. Before the war he worked as a sawyer. He became a member of the 2nd Parachute Battalion and was one of only approximately 21 men who participated in all 2nd Battalion operations in the Second World War from Bruneval to Arnhem. 

When the war broke out, Sid joined the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders on 15 January 1940. At the time he enlisted, he was 5 feet 1 3/4 and 124 pounds. He fought with the British Expeditionary Force in Belgium and France before being evacuated from Dunkirk. 

Sid completed his parachute jump training from 3 to 15 November 1941 and passed, finishing all 7 jumps. He was part of the first course of training to take place at Ringway, Manchester. However, on the Advanced Course (also the first of its kind), Sid sprained his ankle and only completed 2 jumps, one of which was at night. Nevertheless, he was subsequently recorded as having completed the advanced training. He joined the 2nd Parachute Battalion and was part of C Company during the Bruneval Raid in February 1942 (where he appears on the nominal roll). He was later also part of HQ company.

Sid dropped into North Africa with the 2nd Battalion on 30 November 1942. Over the following year, he fought both there and in Sicily as part of Operation Husky, returning home on 9 December 1943. He had been promoted to Corporal by 14 June 1944 as his pay book reflects. He was already noted for serving three years in the armed forces at this point. 

Sid parachuted over Arnhem on 17 September 1944 as part of Operation Market Garden. However, he was taken prisoner just 8 days later on 25 September at Arnhem bridge. Having ended up at Stalag 4B, he was released on 12 May 1945 and returned home by 15 May. At this time, he was admitted to Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury for an unmentioned injury (sustained during his interment in the POW camp). On 11 September of that year, his Medical Category was downgraded from A1 to B2. Sid's discharge certificate was filled on 26 September that year, with the effective date of discharge listed as 30 November. His reason for leaving the 2nd Battalion was listed as "there being no Army Employment suitable to his age [and] medical category". His military conduct was listed as "very good". He had served for five years and 320 days. 

Sydney Ramsey died in 2010. He was a lifetime member of the Royal British Legion and the Parachute Regimental Association.