Ramsey Commissioners and the Royal British Legion continue to remember servicemen from the town who lost their lives in the Great War, 1914 - 18.

On July 20, a simple ceremony was held at the war memorial to mark 100 years since the death of Private William Henry Cowell, formerly of King Street in the town.

He enlisted in Douglas with the Royal Army Service Corps and later transferred to the Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment). He lost his life in active service and is buried in France. He was 27 years old and left a widow and two children.

August will see a number of commemorations taking place:

August 9: Private George Herbert Joughin, of Cannell’s Lane, Ramsey. He died aged 19 while serving in Italy with the Border Regiment (2nd Battalion).

August 9: Private Henry ’Harry’ Sayle, of Shipyard Road, Ramsey. After enlisting in 1915 he served with the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). The Ramsey Courier of June 22, 1917 reported that he had been wounded and gassed at the Battle of the Somme and was home on leave. He returned to the front, but died from severe wounds received in action. He was 25 years old and prior to the outbreak of war had served his apprenticeship as a hairdresser in Ramsey. He is buried in Calais.

August 23: Gunner Thomas Bernard Swales of the 2nd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Thomas trained as a horticulturist in the south of England, working at Arundel Castle Gardens. He moved to the island in 1905 to work for the Clucas family at Thornhill, Ramsey and married a local girl, Margaret Mary Collins. Together, they opened a shop at 68 Parliament Street, selling produce from his market garden.

They had three children: Margaret, who married a farmer, William Moore; George, who became town clerk of Ramsey and later an MHK, and Bernard, who was born a couple of months after his father’s death. He became manager of the Ramsey Steamship Company.

Thomas died of wounds sustained in battle. He was 35 years old and is buried in France. His widow died in 1967 aged 81.

August 24: 2nd Lieutenant Walter Kaneen Cottier, The King’s (Liverpool Regiment), of Auckland House, Ramsey. He moved to London when only 15 and found employment in the Civil Service. Inspired by high idealism and a sense of duty he joined up almost at the beginning of the war.

After a year, he was sent to the front line. He died in Boulogne following a severe illness and is buried in the British cemetery in Calais. He was 23 years old.

August 25: Private John Starkey, 14th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, of Church Street, Ramsey. Prior to joining up he was employed in the local postal service. He received his calling up papers on the eve of his 18th birthday and the sad news of his death was received on the eve of his 19th birthday. He was killed in action during the Battle of Bapaume and is commemorated on Vis-en-Artois Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

August 26: Private Frederick Goulden Bailey, formerly of Belmont Terrace, Ramsey. Frederick Bailey joined up when he was 18 and went to France with the Royal Fusiliers.

Prior to enlisting he was serving his apprenticeship as an engineer. He was killed by a machine gun bullet. He is buried in Calais. He was just 19 years old.

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

Any relatives who wish to attend are asked to contract Gemma Kelly at the town hall on 810100. Members of the public are also welcome to attend.