| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Newtown, New South Wales |
| School | Fort Street Public School, Sydney, New South Wales |
| Other training | BA and LLB, Sydney University |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Occupation | Barrister-at-law |
| Address | 'Clewer', Albert Street, Strathfield, New South Wales |
| Marital status | Married |
| Age at embarkation | 32 |
| Height | 5' 7" |
| Weight | 140 lbs |
| Next of kin | Wife, Mrs M Ranson, Stembrook, Oakura Street, Rockdale, New South Wales |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Rank on enlistment | 2nd Lieutenant |
| Unit name | Light Trench Mortar Battery, Reinforcement 2 |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 13/130/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A40 Ceramic on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Lieutenant |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 8th Light Trench Mortar Battery |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Place of death or wounding | Morlancourt, France |
| Age at death | 35 |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 35 |
| Place of burial | Mericourt L'Abbe Communal Cemetery Extension (Plot III, Row E, Grave No. 2), France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 20 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Edward and Marion RANSON; husband of Martha RANSON, Oakura Street, Rockdale, New South Wales |
| Family/military connections | two brothers |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Embarked Sydney, 7 October 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 21 November 1916; marched in to Artillery Details, Parkhouse, 22 November 1916. Proceeded overseas to France, 2 February 1917; taken on strength, 31st Bn, in the field, 4 March 1917. Seconded for duty with 8th Light Trench Mortar Battery, 4 March 1917. Wounded in action, 3 May 1917 (shrapnel wound, back and left arm) (secondment ceased on being wounded and evacuated), and admitted to 6th Australian Field Ambulance, and transferred to 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station; to St John Ambulance Brigade Hospital, Etaples, 7 May 1917; to England, 15 May 1917, and admitted to 1st Eastern General Hospital, Cambridge, 16 May 1917; discharged to Command Depot, Perham Downs, 10 August 1917. Appointed Lieutenant, 11 August 1917. Proceeded overseas to France, 24 August 1917; seconded for duty with 8th Light Trench Mortar Battery. Marched out to 1st Anzac Corps School, 11 September 1917; rejoined unit, 2 October 1917. On leave to United Kingdom, 13 January 1918; rejoined unit from leave, 29 January 1918. Killed in action, 4 July 1918. Undated statement on file, Lt C.R. THORSEN, Light Trench Mortar Battery: 'Lt. J.R. Ranson, 31st Battalion was killed whilst serving with this unit about 7 p.m. on the 4th. July, 1918. He was killed by a shell which blew his head off.' Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, RANSON Joseph Robert
Red Cross File No 2240601F |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
