David Ramage
My great grandfather David Ramage was born at 11 Blair Street, Galston, Ayrshire on Wednesday the 30th of December 1891. The address was the home of his grandparents and he would spend the first 19 years of his life living here. Galston itself steeped in history, a small village which could be traced back as far as 1252 when the site of the present church was noted as a place of Christian worship. For centuries Galston was confined to the old ‘Kirk Toun’ by the parish church (The Cross, Church Lane then a drover’s road and the area around Bridge Street and Brewland Street). Galston Cross was the site of the Mercat Cross and horse trough. This focal point of the town hosted agricultural fairs and celebratory events and was a place for people to meet. During the 19th century the hub of the town developed around the ‘Four Corners’ at the end of Bridge Street with hotels, public house, shops and workplaces throughout.
It was a happy childhood, and although he did not have a father, his grandparents more than made up for this, helping his mother bring up her son and infusing him with their strong moral values.
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One of the big annual events in his life was the Darvel Fair. Fair day was always exciting. Held on the 3rd Saturday in August, the sun was normally shining and most of Ayrshire would slip into holiday mode. The square was crammed and jammed full of shows and attractions and everyone would dress in their finest clothes to meet with the marching band. The sports competitions in Morton Park were the biggest attraction in the afternoon.
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The Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald reported on Friday the 28th of August 1903 that the Fair the previous Saturday had been one of the best yet. ‘A record crowd gathered to see the sports and they were worth seeing! The racing was really good and the arrangements first-class. David Ramage of Galston came first place in the 100 yards open and second place in the 500 yards
David enrolled in an apprenticeship and began working in a bakers in Newmilns. Based at 12 1/2 Kilnholm Street. It was here that he would meet and work with the Kerr family. At the age of 19, when his mother remarried, David made the decision to leave Galston behind and join the Army. He registered with the Royal Scots Fusiliers in Hamilton, Lanarkshire on the 4th of November 1911. Private number 31848.
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On the 2nd of September 1913 he married Catherine McPhail Kerr at Kilnholm House, Newmilns, Ayrshire. Catherine was a shop girl at the Buttercup Dairy Co and the daughter of William Blyth Kerr, an insurance agent and Jeanie Kerr (nee Wood) a housekeeper. Catherine’s experience of working in the dairy shop at 9 Main Street, Darvel would become very useful in later life. To read the about her family click HERE
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Catherine was 8 months pregnant when she married David Ramage. The baby, John Hamilton Ramage (Jack) was born on the 20th of October 1913 at 57 Jeffery Place, Newmilns.
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The couple would have had more children sooner, if it hadn’t been for David’s recall to Army life. He was again called up for service on the 4th of November 1916. Exactly five years since he first joined. He would continue to serve until his discharge on the 9th of October 1919. World War 1 was finally over and it was time to go back to civilian life.
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On the 31st of May 1918, prior to the war ending, Catherine’s father William Blyth Kerr (my great, great, grandfather) died prematurely at the age of 57. He suffered heart failure at 53 Prestwick Road, Ayr. He was known as a hard worker and very careful with his money. A talented man he had jumped from one profession to another – Always making a success of himself. Initially from a family of weavers he moved from drapery production and into travelling sales.
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In the event of Williams death Catherine took over his financial affairs. Although she was not the oldest child, her brothers Alexander and William had previously emigrated to Mount Forest Bay, Michigan, USA. The responsibility fell to her, and she had a plan. Investment!