The month of April 1918 saw heavy fighting in deplorable conditions as the Great War continued on the battlefields of France and Belgium.

A number of servicemen from Ramsey were among those who died and they will be honoured by the town’s local authority and Royal British Legion.

Private Albert Crowe, youngest of five sons of Philip and Elizabeth Crowe of West Quay, all of whom fought in the war, died on April 2. Prior to enlisting with the East Lancashire Regiment he worked at Allen and Taubman’s grocery shop in Parliament Street.

He later transferred to The King’s (Liverpool Regiment).

Private Crowe landed in France on March 17, 1918 and a week later his mother received a field post card in his own writing saying that he had been wounded and was recovering in hospital in France.

It was the last his family heard from him. He was reported missing, presumed dead and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, Somme. He was 19.

Private John Davies was killed in action France on April 10 when serving with the South Lancashire Regiment.

He had been sent from his post to bring back rations, but he was hit by a shell and never returned. He is buried in Beuvry.

He left parents in Neston, Cheshire and a widow in Strand Street, Ramsey.

census

Private Alexander Cameron, son of Archibald and Jane Cameron of Maughold Street, Ramsey, died on April 11.

According to the Census, his parents had 15 children - five of whom did not survive childhood.

Prior to enlisting, Private Cameron worked as a mason and was also involved in shore trawling. He was killed in action while serving with The King’s (Liverpool Regiment) and is buried at Choques Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais. He was 34.

Private Alfred Greetham Brown, son of Arthur and Christiana Brown of Sea Mount, Ramsey, lost his life on April 12.

He worked at Mr J.B. Kee’s shipping office prior to enlisting with the Grenadier Guards in 1916 when still underage. He was killed while taking part in heavy fighting against great odds and is buried in Ploegsteert, Belgium. He was 19 years old.

Private Robert Renton Corlett, son of William James and Catherine Jane Corlett of The Moorings, Ramsey, died on April 13.

Before enlisting he was a grocer’s apprentice. It was reported that he was in hospital in Etaples, having been wounded in the arm.

He died and is buried in the Aval Wood Military Cemetery, Vieux-Berquin, Nord, France. He was 21 years old.

Private Gilbert Hampton Kelly lost his life on April 30. He was the eldest son of Thomas and Isabella Kelly of Brookfield Avenue, Ramsey. Before going to war he worked at Lloyds Bank in Ramsey and was also assistant secretary of Albert Road Wesleyan Sunday School.

He occasionally played the organ for services at Ballure Church.

He enlisted early in 1917 and proceeded on active service to France, joining the 25th Battalion Machine Gun Corps. In April 1918 he was in the Ypres area of Belgium when the German offensive was launched.

He died of wounds and gas poisoning and is buried in La Clytte Military Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. He was aged 21.

silence

At 6.30pm on each of the above dates a cross will be placed at Ramsey war memorial and a minute’s silence observed.

Any relatives who wish to attend can contact Gemma Kelly at the town hall on 810100.

Members of the public are also welcome to attend.