Alexander Ramsay (Royal Navy officer)

Sir Alexander Robert Maule Ramsay was a British Royal Navy admiral. He was born on 29 May 1881 and passed away on 8 October 1972. He was married to Princess Patricia of Connaught, the youngest child of Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, who was a son of Queen Victoria.

During his time in the Royal Navy, Ramsay served with great honor, especially during the First World War. In the 1920s and 1930s, he took on many important roles in naval aviation, helping to shape how ships and airplanes worked together during that time. His work and leadership made him a respected figure in British naval history.

Early life and career

Alexander Robert Maule Ramsay was born on 29 May 1881 in London. He was the third son of John Ramsay, 13th Earl of Dalhousie and Lady Ida Louisa Bennet. He joined the Royal Navy as a cadet in 1894 aboard HMS Britannia. He served on several ships, including HMS Majestic and later the cruiser HMS Diadem.

During the First World War, Ramsay took part in important naval operations, such as the bombardment of the Dardanelles and the Gallipoli campaign. For his brave actions, he received the Distinguished Service Order. He rose through the ranks, becoming a captain in 1919 and serving as a naval attaché in Paris for three years.

Marriage into the royal family

Main article: Wedding of Princess Patricia and Alexander Ramsay

On 27 February 1919, Captain Alexander Ramsay married Princess Patricia of Connaught at Westminster Abbey, with the whole royal family present. He had asked her to marry him while they were staying with a friend at a fishing lodge in St. Anns, Nova Scotia.

On their wedding day, Princess Patricia gave up her title as a princess and became known as Lady Patricia Ramsay, but she and Alexander stayed part of the British Royal Family. They took part in important royal events for many years, such as the 1947 wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten. They had one son, Alexander Ramsay of Mar.

Aviation commands and flag rank

In 1928, Ramsay took command of the aircraft carrier HMS Furious in the Atlantic Fleet. He became a rear admiral in 1933 and led aircraft carriers for five years. In 1936, he was made a vice-admiral.

Ramsay served as commander-in-chief of the East Indies Station from 1936 to 1938. He then became Fifth Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Air Services until the start of the Second World War. He was promoted to admiral in 1939 and retired in 1942.

Honours

Sir Alexander Ramsay received several important awards for his service. In 1916, he was given the Distinguished Service Order for doing very good work during naval operations. Later, in 1932, he became a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order. In 1934, he was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath, and in 1937, this was raised to Knight Commander when the king was crowned. In 1938, King George VI awarded him the special honour of Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order.

Death and burial

Sir Alexander Ramsay passed away at his home, Ribsden Holt, in Windlesham, Surrey, on 8 October 1972. He was laid to rest in the Royal Burial Ground, Frogmore.