195 The Royal Canadian Legion MANITOBA & NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO COMMAND www.mbnwo.ca RAMSDEN, Michael E. “Mike” PEACETIME Mike was previously published, see Volume 9, this MSRB with his parents, both WWII veterans, mother British Army, Father Canadian Army. Most recently, 2025, Mike has been honoured with the King Charles III Coronation Medal, presented by his member of Parliament, Dan Mazier, in Royal Canadian Legion Branch 118, MBNWON, Kenton, MB. Mike is currently past president of this branch and life member Legion nearly 60 years. Mike was born in Sheffield, England, on March 27, 1946, son of Edward and Rose (née Mitchel) Ramsden. Rose, with babe in arms, returned to Nelson, BC, where Edward (Ted) returned to farming. Blessed with three sisters, Marilyn, Shawn, and Michelle, Mike was active in Army Cadets Canada, cubs, scouts, sports, both as youth participant and later as coach and leaders. Mike enlisted right out of high school, following into military his father, mother, and Great Grandfather Father MitchellBoer War-WWI. Mike joined the Canadian Army, (RCEME) in 1964, taking basic training in Royal Canadian School of Signals, RCSOFS – Kingston, Group 1, AVN Tech, (Aviation Technician) Borden. He served Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineers (RCEME). Fields of Service were Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Air Force for 29 years. He was posted to Rivers, Manitoba. At a nearby dance in Oak River, he was picked up by his current wife, Cheryl (née Parker) from Kenton, in 1965. They were married in 1968, having son Brent and daughter. Angela. Mike served in Kingston, Rivers, Petawawa, Winnipeg, Comox x 2 tours, Trenton, and remustered to Flight Engineer to 442 Comox S+R, Peace Keeping with recognition with Nobel Peace Keeping Medal (NATO-6 months-Egypt, Ismailia). His duties were extensive including volunteering world flights to Embassies including Communist countries. A significant honour was — Certificate of Recognition -HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES- “Thanks of the Congress of the United States to MIKE RAMSDEN who, during the period of October 4 through 6, 1980, directly participated in rescuing of all five hundred and ten people aboard the burning passenger vessel “Prinsendam” off the coast of Alaska.” From a newspaper article at the time, “It is sometimes referred to as the ‘greatest maritime rescue ever’.” Mike had a forced retirement for medical reasons, receiving his Canadian Service Medal and other awards. He continued his service as civilian Search and Rescue, including air and ski patrol, as participant and leader, then with youth, and community groups including Lions, Senior Services (including Woodworth Senior Services-Kenton, MB), Royal Canadian Legion, and local Sioux Valley first Nation events. Mike served as president of many groups. As mentioned, Michael Ramsden this year received the King Charles III coronation medal. He and wife Cheryl live on a small acreage near Kenton, MB, Cheryl’s hometown.
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