Ramsey has held memorial ceremonies for each of the 112 residents who fought and died in WWI. Each ceremony has been held at the town's war memorial on the 100th anniversay of the death.
The full news article from the IOMToday website is shown below:
'The 112th and final service to remember the Ramsey men who died as a result of the First World War will be held this month.
The town’s commissioners and branch of the Royal British Legion undertook to mark the 100th anniversary of the loss of every Ramsey resident who gave their life during the Great War with a service at the town’s war memorial.
Wednesday, September 11, marks the 100th anniversary of the death of Private Philip Henry Perry.
Private Perry is the last serviceman from Ramsey who is recorded as having given his life as a result of the conflict during the First World War.
He died 10 months after the war ended on November 11, 1918.
To commemorate his death, a cross will be placed at Ramsey’s war memorial, next to the town’s courthouse, at 6.15pm and a minute’s silence observed.
There will also be a short commemoration service by Reverend Bryan Yardy.
Enlisting into the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, Private Perry was the only son of John Perry and Hannah Perry (nee Crowe) of Water Street, Ramsey.
He had three younger sisters; Eliza Jane, Annie and Catherine Eleanor.
On September 11, 1898, he married Maud Skinner at Maughold Parish Church and prior to enlisting, records indicate that he was an ’electric car driver’.
Private Perry had originally served in the Royal Navy. However, he had transferred and, at the time of his discharge, was serving with the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry.
He was officially discharged on April 7, 1919 and later resided in Cornwall.
Private Perry died at Devonport Military Hospital on September 11. The cause of his death is unknown, however it is possible that it was a combination of his injuries and influenza.
Members of the public are invited to attend the memorial ceremony and any relatives of Private Perry who wish to attend the ceremony are asked to contact the town hall on 810100 and ask for Gemma.
Commissioner Alby Oldham, who himself served in the armed forces for 24 years told the Manx Independent the memorial is a special one both as Private Perry was the last of the 112 memorial serbvices to be held and because he died so long after the war.
Mr Oldham said: ’The memorial is a chance to show our respect for all those who gave their lives, in both world wars, so that we have the freedoms we have now.’
The first service was held on Saturday September 13, 2014 in memory of Private Alfred Corlett who was the town’s first resident to be killed during the war.
Private Corlett served as a driver in the Royal Field Artillery and died in service aged 31.
His brother Ceasar Corlett also served in the Royal Field Artillery.
He lost his life during the conflict in March 1918.'
The full article from the Isle of Man Newspaper published on 13 September 2019 is shown below:
'Friday, September 13, 2019
By Sam Tufton
sam.turton@iomtoday.im
The 112th and final memorial service for a Ramsey Resident who died as a result of the First World War was held this week.
Ramsey Commissioners and the town's Royal British Legion Branch undertook to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the death of every resident who fought and died in the Great War.
Wednesday saw about 75 veterans, residents, politicians and Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard Gozney join the descendants of Private Philip Henry Perry who died in a Cornish Hospital on September 11, 1919, 10 months after the end of the war.
One of descendants included his great, great, great nephew Ryan Kelly, who is a pupil at Ramsey Grammar School.
To commemorate his death, a cross was place at the war memorial, next to the town's courthouse, a minute's silence observed and Reverend Bryan Yardy led a eulogy an prayers to Private Percy.
Reverend Yardy said: "We meet in the solemn moment to stand in the presence of God to acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of those who gave their lives during the First World War.
'As part of the First World War centenary commemorations, a simple wooden cross has been planted at the memorial site here in Ramsey on the 100th anniversary of each of the 112 fallen named on this memorial.
'And today marks the occasion when we plant the final cross on the 100th anniversary of the death of Private Philip Henry Peery, who served in the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry and previously the Royal Navy.
'It is though that he died on this day in 1919 as a result of his injuries whilst serving.'
Following this, bulger Brian Osborn from Castletown Metropolitan Silver Band played the Last Post, chairman of the local authority Andy Cowie placed a wooden cross, Sir Richard placed a poppy wreath on the memorial and Brigadier Norman Butcher gave the exhortation.
Ramsey's determination to remember the sacrifice made by its residents during the Great War is not only unique in the island, it is believed to have been the only town, city or village in the British Isles to have remembered its fallen in this manner.
Private Perry also has another unique place in Ramsey's history. Anyone who has studied the town's war memorial may have counted 113 names, however there is only actually 112 men listed. Private Perry os named twice on the memorial for his service to both the navy and the army.'
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