Canadian General Service Medal clasp Fenian Raid 1866 (540 Pte. D. Ramsay 2/7th. R.F.)
David Ramsey (Ramsay) was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in about 1838. A Butcher, he attested for service with the 2/7th Foot on 19 November 1857 at the age of 18 and served at Gibraltar for 5 1/2 years, Malta for 1 7/12 and North America for 2 4/12 years - it was for this latter service in the Fenian Raid that he was awarded the Canadian General Service Medal.
The Fenian raids were a series of incursions carried out by the Fenian Brotherhood, an Irish republican organization based in the United States, on military fortifications, customs posts, and other targets in Canada (called British North America until 1867) in 1866, and again from 1870 to 1871. A number of separate incursions by the Fenian Brotherhood into Canada were undertaken to bring pressure on the British government to withdraw from Ireland, although none of these raids achieved their aims.
He was tried and imprisoned for being Drunk on Duty from 13 to 26 July 1871 - this was followed by something of a more serious nature where, according to an entry in the Dorchester Prison in Dorset's Admission Book, he was received as a prisoner on 12 December 1871; having been found guilty of assaulting a Policeman. He was described as being from Newcastle-upon-Tyne and a "Butcher now Soldier". He was 32 years old, 5 feet 7 inches in height with dark brown hair, dark hazel eyes and swarthy complexion. The addition of his regimental number, 540, confirmed that it was indeed him.
Ramsey was transferred to the Army Reserve on 1 August 1873 but was recalled to Army service on 9 April 1878. He was released on termination of his second period of service on 11 December 1878 by which time he had no. 1665. His intended place of residence was Newcastle - address 4 Jefferson Street. According to the 1891 England census he was a 52 year old married "Soldier" (Barracks Labourer).
Ten years later, at the time of the 1901 England census he was back at his old address - 4 Jefferson Street - with his wife Frances. The last sighting of him comes courtesy of the 1911 England census at which time he was 72 years old, widowed, and a Labourer in the famous Elswick Factory. He was boarding with the Seward family at 66 Loadman Street, Newcastle.
Medal is in good condition unless otherwise indicated. Sold with copy service papers and other research.
