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 on the 3rd of September, 1883, 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.
When war broke out, Harry was under no obligation to join up, but felt it was his duty to volunteer his services in France. No sooner had he arrived than he was awarded the Croix de Chevalier of the French Legion of Honour due to his heroic conduct at Mons from 21st -30th August.
He became a Captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps and during the battle of Aisne in France he was badly wounded by a British shell which shattered his thigh and leg. He was in great need of medical attention himself but he carried on dressing the wounds of his men. He had his leg amputated and died of a blood clot on 25th September 1914, aged 31. He is buried in Braine Communal Cemetery in France.
Major Armitage of the 1st King’s Royal Rifles (Harry’s regiment) wrote to Harry’s mother stating:
“He was simply splendid – thinking more of others than of himself. He is one of the most gallant fellows I have seen and thoroughly deserves the highest reward he can get. We all, officers and men, miss him very much.”
He was awarded the VC which was presented to his father on 29th November 1916 by King Geroge V at Buckingham Palace. The medal is displayed in the Army Medical Services Museum in Aldershot, England.
In 1924 his parents founded the Captain H S Ranken VC Memorial Prize at the University of Glasgow in his memory.
Harry worked at the Brook fever hospital in London which was next to the Royal Herbert Military Hospital. It moved to new premises in the 1970s and became the Queen Elizabeth Military Hospital and they named the administration block after him and called it Ranken House where his photograph is proudly displayed in the reception area.
A bronze memorial tablet to Captain Ranken was unveiled in Irvine Parish Church on Saturday 6th January 1917.
Ranken Drive and Ranken Crescent in Irvine are named after him as is a room in Irvine’s Townhouse.
Further Reading
Harry Ranken at glasgow.gov.uk