StevieB Posted 31 October , 2006 Author Share Posted 31 October , 2006 Thanks Jon, When I got the trunk home and started looking through it in detail, it was then that I realised how it encompassed one mans service life. The photo albums alone contain some great details. I've only just started going through the diaries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieB Posted 31 October , 2006 Author Share Posted 31 October , 2006 Note the seat belt in the bottom right photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieB Posted 31 October , 2006 Author Share Posted 31 October , 2006 I presume this is Ranson's grave. He is buried at Toxteth Cemetry, so at some point I'll be making a trip over the border to pay tribute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieB Posted 31 October , 2006 Author Share Posted 31 October , 2006 The next few are of what I now know is his brother (thanks to Steve for his info on Newton Ranson), RGA. More of Newton Ranson: Last page in the album. More of his grave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max (UK) Posted 31 October , 2006 Share Posted 31 October , 2006 A wonderful thread - thanks for posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianw Posted 31 October , 2006 Share Posted 31 October , 2006 Instant book as far as I can see. It certainly merits one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieB Posted 31 October , 2006 Author Share Posted 31 October , 2006 Ranson's pay & service book from when he joined the London Scottish. Sorry about the glare from the flash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieB Posted 31 October , 2006 Author Share Posted 31 October , 2006 A couple of divisional flashes. The first one I know - 42nd East Lancs. I haven't had chance to look up the the stripes yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieB Posted 31 October , 2006 Author Share Posted 31 October , 2006 Extracts from his diaries when with the London Scottish. I am currently going through these. I'll try write up the details (or at least a summary) as soon as I can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieB Posted 31 October , 2006 Author Share Posted 31 October , 2006 Ranson's Officers Record of Services book. Not many entries in this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieB Posted 31 October , 2006 Author Share Posted 31 October , 2006 Ranson's diary and notebook whilst he was an Officer in the DLI. This is crammed full of info, from sketches how to build trenches, Orders of the Day, defaulters lists & punishment. I've only skimmed through this so far as I think it will be an epic in it's own right! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieB Posted 31 October , 2006 Author Share Posted 31 October , 2006 Ranson's RFC training card, detailing all the skills and courses that he had to complete to qualify as a pilot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieB Posted 31 October , 2006 Author Share Posted 31 October , 2006 From my personal interest, one (or is that two) gem of the group are his log books, beautifully leather bound with his name engraved on the front. The first is complete from the first page to last. The second not many entries, the last being 6 days before he died. To do this justice I'll need to spend a long time extracting information, but even a quick glance through it makes interesting reading - just the shear number of planes that he flew during his short career is interesting enough (see my previous post). I'll try and post any interesting entries as I find them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieB Posted 31 October , 2006 Author Share Posted 31 October , 2006 A typical page from the log books. Unfortunately it's lost some of the legibility in order to upload it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieB Posted 31 October , 2006 Author Share Posted 31 October , 2006 Cracking photo of Ranson and fellow squadron members. They are all named on the back, but again I haven't had time to go do any background searches yet. The sheer diversity of the uniforms is what attracts me to this period and theatre of RFC/RAF operations, not one of them is wearing the same uniform! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieB Posted 31 October , 2006 Author Share Posted 31 October , 2006 To keep the juices flowing, Ranson's theatre made RFC wings (sadly a bit mothed). And if that wasn't enough, his very rare pair of gold bullion patrol jacket dress wings, in great condition. When or where he would have worn these in the Middle East or India I have no idea. I've had a couple of dealers/collectors look at them and we all think they are 100% spot on. Not a "plant"! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieB Posted 31 October , 2006 Author Share Posted 31 October , 2006 Ranson's airfield camp pass. Nice photo of him wearing his wings, and also the ribbon for his 1914 Star. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieB Posted 31 October , 2006 Author Share Posted 31 October , 2006 Large studio portrait of Ranson in his DLI Officers uniform. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 31 October , 2006 Share Posted 31 October , 2006 Stevie - there are probably several hundred Forum members thinking the same thing - "You lucky bu**er". Please make sure you lodge copies of the London Scots stuff with RHQ! Jeez......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanA Posted 31 October , 2006 Share Posted 31 October , 2006 Stevie - you lucky so-and-so!! I'll offer £2.99 for the lot right now! A word of caution - don't go dusting your passport down in order to visit Toxteth Cemetery before you check whether the grave is still there. I went a few years ago to find the grave of my great grandfather - had the grave number and everything - it was gorn! Like many graveyards of this vintage they had removed the stones and 'landscaped' it. Can't have the druggies tripping over broken tombstones. What would Health & Safety say?? Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 31 October , 2006 Share Posted 31 October , 2006 Can't have the druggies tripping over broken tombstones. What would Health & Safety say?? Ian Cynic...it's done in the interests of 'Civic Amenity'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanA Posted 31 October , 2006 Share Posted 31 October , 2006 Yeah, right Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieB Posted 1 November , 2006 Author Share Posted 1 November , 2006 Stevie - you lucky so-and-so!! I'll offer £2.99 for the lot right now! A word of caution - don't go dusting your passport down in order to visit Toxteth Cemetery before you check whether the grave is still there. I went a few years ago to find the grave of my great grandfather - had the grave number and everything - it was gorn! Like many graveyards of this vintage they had removed the stones and 'landscaped' it. Can't have the druggies tripping over broken tombstones. What would Health & Safety say?? Ian Thanks for the tip about the cemetery. It does look like a large grave, maybe a family plot? Hopefully too large to be moved - or is that just me being optimistic? Another photo for your interest. A large copy of the Sphinx photo seen in the album. I think this is my favourite photo out of the group - very British Empire! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieB Posted 1 November , 2006 Author Share Posted 1 November , 2006 This is one for Steve - more London Scottish photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graeme Heavey Posted 1 November , 2006 Share Posted 1 November , 2006 Awesome stuff!! Keep it coming! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now