Peter, born on June 28, 1906 in Brandon, Manitoba, was the youngest of Peter Sr. and Sophia Ramsay’s five children. He had three sisters; Susan, Florence, Daisy and one brother, William. The senior Ramsay’s were from Edinburgh, Scotland and immigrated to Canada in 1886. They settled in Virden, Manitoba where they farmed until 1898 when they moved to Brandon as Peter Sr. had opened a cigar factory.
The Ramsays moved to Chilliwack, BC in 1911 where they farmed and grew fruit trees in their orchard. Pete was a logger on the west coast before he moved to Grande Prairie. He subsequently purchased land in the Bezanson area; SE-10-72-3-W6 from Alfred Gilbey and the SW-10-72-3-W6 from Charles Wiseman. Pete was very involved in the Bezanson Community; he played the banjo in a local band that consisted of Marie Johnston on piano and Ernest Ford on violin in the 1930’s. He was the treasurer for the Community Sports Committee that was formed in 1934 to oversee the formation of the Sports Grounds to be located on NW-11-72-3-W6 across the road to the east from Rooney’s Store.
In 1940, Peter married Doris Gant in Grande Prairie. He sold his land to the Weegar family in 1944 and moved to Edmonton. Peter enlisted with the Army on July 10, 1940 in Calgary. He served as a Captain, Regimental # M17433 at the A16 Canadian Infantry Training Centre in Calgary where he was a fitness instructor at the Currie Barracks preparing young soldiers to fight overseas. Peter was discharged on demobilization on November 3, 1945. Peter and Doris had two daughters, Dene Hamilton born in 1941 and another daughter, Susan who was born in 1945. The Ramsay’s subsequently moved to Calgary in 1954. Once retired, Peter served with the Corps of Commissionaires. Peter passed away on August 9, 1990 with his ashes being interred at Fosters Garden Chapel and Crematorium. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion in Calgary, Legion # 66254210.
Contributed by Wanda Zenner
Sources
Emails with Dene Ramsay – daughter
Obituary
AB/NWT Legion Command
1926 Census Records