Friends of the Canadian War Museum

Born in York Township (now part of Toronto), Ramsey Withers grew up in smaller communities in Ontario and Québec. In 1948 he joined Canadian Service College Royal Roads, graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada, in 1952, and Queen's University, in 1954.

As a Signals Officer, he served in 1st Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment during the Korean War and later with the Royal Canadian Dragoons in Canada and Germany. He also served in command and staff positions at all levels including Commander Northern Region and Commander Canadian Forces Europe before appointment as Vice Chief of the Defence Staff and then Chief of the Defence Staff, retiring in 1983. He then spent five years as Deputy Minister of Transport followed by ten years of work in the private sector.

Ramsey Withers joined the Friends at its inception. In 1988 he was appointed as the first Chairman of the Canadian War Museum Committee and was a Trustee of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation until 1995. After this he was a member of the Passing the Torch steering committee until the campaign ended.

Ramsey believes that "The Friends of the Canadian War Museum played a crucial role in the campaign for a new Museum and, with that objective having been achieved, the organization will continue to be a vital non-public supporter and guardian of the institution". And that best explains his interest.

Ramsey is privileged to be an Honorary Director of the FCWM, since 1998. He also works in the Museum's Volunteer Interpreter Program