Harry Ranken (1883 – 1914) Glasgow-born Victoria Cross recipient who lived in Irvine. Died in the First World War.
Harry Ranken was born in Maryhill, Glasgow and moved to Irvine when he was 8 (his father was the Minister of Irvine). He attended Irvine Royal Academy where he was Dux. Later, he studied medicine at Glasgow University where he won various prizes and awards.
He went on to become a Captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps and during the battle of Aisne in France he was badly wounded by a shell splinter in the leg. He was in great need of medical attention himself but he carried on dressing the wounds of his men. Unfortunately his leg injury was too severe and he died on 25th September 1914 aged 31.