Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 20002 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Space Exploration
Lot: 313

'Beyond all this was the Central Registry which among other things contained files of every person entering the Colony for permanent residence since 1923. It was a remarkable place, where in a couple of minutes it was possible to turn up anybody's file to find antecedents. The European population at that time was only about 250,000, so small wonder Rhodesia was known as a place where one couldn't get away with anything. The Chief Clerk there was Detective Sergeant Ramsey, Charlie to his friends. A cheerful Cockney with an inexhaustible supply of very funny stories, he could entertain us for hours at parties. As essential person to keep in with, for, as the Chief's confidante, he knew well in advance of anything important.'

A Slice of Life by Ludvig L. Lumholtz, refers

An attractive campaign group of five awarded to Detective Inspector C. D. Ramsey, British South Africa Police, late Machine Gun Corps and City of London Yeomanry, who served in Rhodesia as a highly meticulous and colourful immigration officer and was decorated with a rare 'Bar' to the Colonial Police Long Service Medal by Sir Evelyn Baring in 1944

1914-15 Star (2801 Pte. C. D. Ramsey. C. of Lond. Yeo.); British War and Victory Medals (2801 Cpl. C. D. Ramsey. C. of Lond. Yeo.); War Medal 1939-45; Colonial Police Force L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., with Second Award Bar (2071 1st. Det. Sgt. C. D. Ramsey. B.S.A.P.), good very fine (5)

Charles Douglas Ramsey - or Charlie to his friends and comrades - was born on 2 December 1895 in London, the son of machinist Charles Douglas Ramsey and his wife, Emily Amy Ramsey, of 9 London Road, Battersea Park. Educated at the nearby Battersea Polytechnic Boy's Secondary School from September 1908, Ramsey transferred to Clarks College on 20 July 1910 and began to study for a 'Boy Club-ship'. He then attested as a Private for the City of London Yeomanry, serving in Egypt from 11 September 1915 and sometime transferred in the rank of Corporal to the Machine Gun Corps. Discharged on 9 March 1919, Ramsey travelled to South Africa and took employment as a Trooper in the British South Africa Police.

Having spent 5 years in South Africa, Ramsey and his new wife Hilda returned to London aboard the S.S. Garth Castle, embarking from Cape Town on 26 July 1924. The ship's register notes the young couple's intention to live at 158 Lavender Hill, Clapham Common. However, it appears that they did not stay long, likely on account of the English weather and missing family in South Africa. Initially appointed a Constable in Gwelo, by 1932 Charles was working for the Bulawayo C.I.D. and watching over immigration into Rhodesia. As parents to a newborn baby, Peter John Ramsey, the couple did make a brief foray back to England in order to see family, but this remained nothing more than a holiday - Charles's occupation being stated as Immigration Officer.

Returning to Rhodesia, Charles and forty three colleagues spent the 1930s carefully policing all those coming into and out of Bulawayo, much of this achieved on bicycle and through what we term today as 'good old fashioned policing', based heavily upon social interaction and building relationships with local people. Awarded the Bar to his Long Service Medal from the hand of the Governor in August 1944 (The Outpost, refers), Ramsey retired from the B.S.A.P. on 1 July 1946 and transferred to pension in the rank of Detective Inspector. It is believed that he later took a job with the Rhodesia Railways working as a clerk, a likely step for a man who enjoyed social interaction and was well-versed in both the good and ills in people. He died at Bulawayo on 11 February 1951; sold with copied MIC and research including an image of the presentation ceremony for the Bar and group photographs of colleagues from the B.S.A.P., Ramsey being clearly identified.


Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£270

Starting price
£140