Rifleman 4350, 5th (City of London) Battalion (Rifle Brigade), London Regiment. Enlisted 11 December 1915 at Chichester, aged 30 years, aged 30 years, a Poultry Farmer, unmarried, issued Silver War badge 31496 22 February 1917. Died 7 January 1919 at Camberwell House, Camberwell, London. Son of Edith Fairbrother of "Camacha," West Wittering near Chichester. Suffered shrapnel wounds to head and hand 9 October 1916. Admitted to 5 General Hospital 12 October 1916 to 19 October 1916, 6 General Hospital 30 October 1916, transferred to England aboard Hospital Ship "Asturias" 6 November 1916. Discharged 28 December 1916 in London, aged 31 years, under Para 392 xvi King's Regulation (Wounds), height 5 feet 7 inches, chest 34-36 inches, religious denomination Church of England, sallow complexion, hazel eyes, grey hair, a Poultry Farm by trade, intended place of residence "Camacha," West Wittering near Chichester. Mainly served at home but with B.E.F. France 13 July 1916 to 6 November 1916.

Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1919:

RAMSEY Lawrence Fairbrother of West Witteriug Sussex rifleman London rifle brigade died 7 January 1919 at Camberwell House Camberwell London Probate Chichester 4 April to Lilian Fairbrother Ramsey spinner.
Effects £299 16s. 9d.

Family supplied information:

Rifleman, 5th Battalion, London Rifle Brigade. Born in Bournemouth Hants in the first quarter of 1886. He was the son of Benjamin Mansell Ramsey and Edith Maria nee Fairbrother, the youngest of 6 children – Bernard, Percy, Lilian, Harold and Wilfred. Attested aged 30 on 11 December 1914 an unmarried Poultry Farmer living at White Cottage (later amended to “Camacha”) West Wittering. Embarked in France in 1916 where he was wounded in the face and hand by a high explosive shell. He was 10 days in hospital and 3 weeks in a convalescent camp before being sent back to England on account of his nervous disposition. His hair had turned completely white. He was pale and tremulous, suffering from headaches and dizziness. He slept badly and suffered from bad dreams. His memory and concentration were affected and he was discharged on 28 December 1916 as being no longer physically fit enough to continue in the army. In 1918 he is shown living with his brother Wilfred at The Smithy, in Woodcote Village, Surrey, but he died at Camberwell House, Camberwell, London (a mental hospital) on 7 January 1919. Probate was granted to his unmarried older sister Lilian Fairbrother Ramsey who was a well-known local figure in West Wittering from 1914 until her death in 1974 – probably best known for the “Mrs Paddick” articles she wrote for the West Sussex Gazette from 1936, but also founder member of the West Witt W.I., the West Witt Choral Society, and Chairman of the Village Hall Management Committee for 42 years.

[Researched by Sue Fisher-Pascall]