Major and former RSM, Victor James Ramsbottom, MMM, CD was born December 22, 1925 in Elk Point, Alberta. He was a veteran of the Second World War serving in the Canadian Army from 1943 to 1946. In 1947 he joined the Regular Force and during the next thirty-five years served in the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, the Queen’s Own Rifles and the Airborne Regiment including tours in Cyprus and Germany. Victor closed out his military career as Major and Deputy Commanding Officer of the Banff National Army Cadet Camp in 1983. In 1973 he was appointed to the Order of Military Merit.

He and his wife Florence were married in 1946, they had five children, three boys and two girls. They were both avid curlers and devoted much of their spare time in Germany working with the CFB Baden-Soellingen curling club.

Vic was passionate about his fifty plus years in the Masonic fraternity and the Shrine, taking on many key roles as well as being the official photographer of the Circus and everything Masonic. Vic and Florence, his dedicated military wife of fifty-seven years, enjoyed thirty years of retirement where they spent much of their free time as part of Calgary’s volunteer community, as well as golfing, curling and travelling. He passed away in 2010 at the age of 84.

[some info from army.ca]

Timeline of Service

1943-46 served in Canadian Army during Second World War;

1947 joined Regular Army, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, (PPCLI);

1949-52 Sgt Ramsbottom of the PPCLI is listed as instructor on the Vernon Cadet Camp Nominal Roll;

1965 WOII Vic Ramsbottom was Officer In Charge of Leave Centre for CANCONCYP in Beirut;

1968 Master Warrant Officer Ramsbottom appointed as Regimental Sergeant Major of QOR Training Depot at Currie Barracks Calgary;

1970 CSM C Company 3 Mechanized Commando, Germany;

1971 on Exercise in Bavaria, Germany with 3 Mechanized Commando;

1973, 13 June, appointed to Order of Military Merit;

1976-78 served as Regular Support Staff with The Royal Winnipeg Rifles, Winnipeg, Manitoba;

1978-83 served as Support Staff at the Banff National Army Cadet Camp retiring as Major.