Edward Ramesbottom was born in Byng Inlet, Parry Sound, Ontario on March 25, 1888, the son of Jonathon Ramesbottom (born in Weston, Ontario) and Mary Jane (nee Pelow, born in Algoma, Ontario) Ramesbottom. Edward had eleven siblings. They included Robert (born 1875); John (born 1876); James (born 1878); Mary-Margaret (born 1881); Francis Percy (born 1888); Leah (born 1891); William Harvey (born 1892); Earl (born 1896); Lola Elizabeth (born 1898); Gertrude (born 1900) and Lance (born 1905). Edward at 23 years of age would lose his father, Jonathan, to heart disease in March of 1911.

Twenty-nine year old Edward would marry on September 29, 1913 in Kenora, Ontario where he was living at the time. His wife was twenty-three year old Marion Hutchinson, born in Southport, England, but living in Ottawa, the daughter of Frank and Annie (nee Heslop) Hutchinson. The couple would end up residing at 150 Talfourd Street, Sarnia.

Edward and Marion would have a son together, John Edward, who was born in Buffalo, but would become a long-time resident of Sarnia. The Ramesbottom family would reside at 150 Talfourd street. Like his father, John Edward would also be employed for a time on Great Lakes ships. Son John Edward would years later join the Royal Canadian Navy, attaining the rank of Chief Stoker. In October of 1940, Petty Officer John Edward Ramesbottom was transferred from HMCS St. Francis to HMS Eyebright. So for a time, both father Edward and his son John Edward would be serving in the Royal Canadian Navy at the same time.

Prior to enlistment, Edward Ramesbottom was employed as a marine engineer on a Standard Oil tanker, and previous to that, he had been on the SS Maplecourt, which operated out of Sarnia for a time. The SS Maplecourt was well known in this city; it was owned by United Towing and Salvage Company Limited which had a branch in Sarnia. In May of 1940, the 3,388 ton steam merchant vessel left Sarnia for overseas service. In early February of 1941, on its way from Montreal to Preston, England, it was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine in the North Atlantic. Her entire crew of 37 were lost. Though none of the crew on board were from Sarnia, the attack on the Maplecourt made big news in Sarnia.

Edward Ramesbottom joined the Navy, becoming a member of the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve, and he would be in the navy for 2 ½ years, at sea all that time. His last post was as Chief Engine Room Artificer, Third class, aboard the HMCS Moonbeam. The Moonbeam had formerly been the Department of Transport Hopper Barge No. 1. The Royal Canadian Navy acquired two Department of Transport hopper barges in December 1940, converting them to fuel oil carriers, commissioning them HMCS Moonbeam and HMCS Sunbeam. Based out of Halifax, they were to carry fuel oil for use on the east coast and at St. John’s, Newfoundland. After the war in 1946, the HMCS Moonbeam would be sold, becoming the Oakbranch, and later in 1960, it became the B.L.L. 24.

On December 25, 1942, fifty-four year old Edward Ramesbottom died of natural causes in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Only days later, his wife Marion Ramesbottom in Sarnia would receive a telegram from Ottawa informing her that her husband Edward had died suddenly. No particulars were given of the circumstances of his death, but the message stated that a letter would follow. When the message was received, their son John Edward of the R.C.N. was home in Sarnia on convalescent leave as the result of an injured hand. Edward Ramesbottom is buried in Forest Road Anglican Cemetery, St. John’s, Newfoundland, Plot 24 Section D, Grave 25. On Edward Ramesbottom’s headstone are inscribed the words, Sadly missed by wife and son. Rest in Peace.

SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, L, N, U, X, 2C, 2D