Remembering Tom Ramsay
Thomas Ramsay was born in a tiny village in Ayrshire, Scotland called Minishant on December 24th 1912. On July 18th 2008 my grandfather Tom Ramsay was struck down at the age of 95 by a stroke.
Grandad lead a facinating life which spanned two centuries. During the build up to WW2 he was stationed at various RAF bases in the Middle East including Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Palestine, Aden. He was an Aircraft Engineer and would always accompany the pilot on any mission for breakdowns or crashes. He spent nine years out there leading up to the start of the Second World War when he was called up for active service.
In 1939, he was posted to Sullom Voe in the Shetland Isles to work for Coastal Command. He was a Flight Sergeant and Coastal Command protected the Coast from German U Boats and Air Attacks. In 1943, he was mentioned in Despatches for bravery, and then demobbed at Cardington in 1945.
His suffering from the stroke left me with a cold memory of how heartless the condition is, and how it simply drains life and soul from the people it affects.
The last thing he said to me after the stroke hit him and he could still just about speak was "Its no good". Grandad died 3 weeks after he said that to me, and at least I know now that he is in a good place at peace.
In his early days as a RAF Officer during WW2 he loved sports and always had a passion for competitiveness with his fellow servicemen, he even spoke about once he and his squadron played an evening football friendly with the Germans in northern Africa. I know that Grandad would be smiling as I freeze in the docks cheering me on to get ahead.
I am doing this event for Grandad and all the other thousands of people who have been affected by strokes, and use this as a symbol of strength that even in the darkest hour there is always life pushing through and fighting.
Steven Ramsay & Baigent Digital swimming,
cycling, and running for the Stroke association.
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