The Scottish War Graves Project

Cowgate · Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Posts: 8

Buried here is David Prophet Ramsay a well known Figure and Portrait painter in Perth in the 1920s-40s.

Ramsay was born in Perth 6 July 1888, sixth and youngest child of Alexander Ramsay, China Merchant and Jean Ann Ramsay (nee Prophet) and died at his home, Kennacoil House, Trochry by Dunkeld on 11 January 1944 without issue.

He was educated at Perth Academy and Glasgow School of Art where he took the Haldane Travelling scholarship (the School's senior award) in 1913.

Ramsay served with the Black Watch, joining the 5th Battalion (City of Dundee) on 7 December 1915 as a Private. Following heavy casualties the 5th merged with the 4th Batt (County of Angus) in March 1916. Ramsay joined the amalgamated unit on 14 November 1916 as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 1 July 1917 and was seriously injured on the first day's fighting of the battle for Pilcken Ridge near Ypres on 31 July 1917 as part of the British 118th Brigade. He lost much of the left side of his chest and was reputedly left for dead when a Canadian medic realised he was still alive and saved him.

Between his injury in 1917 and his being finally gazetted out of the army in 1919, Ramsay produced a series of caricature sketches of his fellow officers which were produced in a folio format. These are signed Sam Ray (a corruption of his surname Ramsay).

The Museum of the Black Watch at Balhousie Castle Hay Street, Perth, holds Ramsay's service record details and a copy of his Sam Ray portfolio. Perth Museum and Art Gallery, George Street, Perth, holds many examples of Ramsay's pictures.

These include a pencil sketch of his nephew, Airman Jimmy McCash who lost his life during WW2, and a somewhat fanciful WW1 picture of a fallen soldier beside a field gun being grieved over by his sweetheart.

Close by at Lagganalachie, lies Lt Col Charles Gordon Borrowman who served with the British Army in the Kashmir and died in retirement. He too was a well known watercolourist.

Cowgate