Ralph Gurney Williamson

Census Address: 18 St George's Square
Place of Birth: Little Bytham
Date of Birth: 1896
Enlistment Address: 18 St George’s Square, Stamford.
Regiment: 854 Northants Yeomanry and Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line
Service Numbers: 145178
Place of Death: Stamford
Date Died: 28th June 1962
18 St George's Square, Stamford

Ralph in 1911 was 14 years old and was born in 1896 in Little Bytham, Lincolnshire. His parents were Frederick William and Mary Platt (nee Gurney) Williamson. The whole family including 4 children and 2 servants lived at 18 St George’s Square Stamford. Ralph was the youngest of 4 surviving children. His elder brother Gilbert was an engineer draughtsman for an agricultural implements company. His eldest sister Constance was also living at home with her 6 month old son, while Ralph and his sister Althea were both at school.

Their father, who was born in Minnesota, USA , was a coal and coke merchant. In 1901, when the family with 2 servants were living at 5 Creeton Road in Little Bytham, their father was a brick manufacturer. In 1901 Ralph’s 2 elder brothers were boarders at Belper Grammar School, Derbyshire. His sister, Constance, died in Stamford in 1918.

Ralph’s military service records have not been found but his WWI Service Medal and Award Records reveal that Private R G Williamson (145178) gained the British War Medal and Victory Medal serving in the Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line. His previous unit was the 854 Northants Yeomanry Dragoons.

His parents relate in the Stamford Mercury that ‘their son as a member of the Northants Yeomanry spent his 19th birthday in the trenches. He had been called up in August and went to the front in November. During the winter he was threatened with pneumonia. They added that he was a skilled swimmer having held the Lincolnshire Cup for two seasons and had won nearly 20 other handsome prizes. Since in France he had distinguished himself in the natatorial art.’

2nd Lieutenant R G Gurney was also awarded the 1914 Star.

On 27th August 1919 Ralph married Laura Wood in the Parish Church of St Marylebone, London. His profession was stated as Manager and his father was a manufacturer. He was still living at 18 St George’s Square address. Their two sons were born in Stamford.

Ralph’s mother died in 1920 and father in 1929, Ralph himself died in the Stamford and Rutland Hospital on 28th June 1962.

The National Probate Calendar records that he was living at Beau Clair 73 Empingham Road, Stamford. Probate was granted to his widow Laura, she died in 1978.

Amendments and Addenda

Ralph’s parents reported to the Mercury that he had a knee injury. He was by April 1918 a 2nd Lieutenant.