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Extract and Photograph above from 'Daily Record and Mail,'
April 20th 1915:
GLASGOW'S VC.....A VISIT TO PRIVATE MAY'S HOME
One of the 'Daily Record and Mail' representatives had the pleasing
duty of conveying the glad tidings to Mrs.May. Naturally she was
delighted that the coveted distinction had been awarded to her husband,
but one thing she would have preferred even before the Victoria Cross, as
she frankly phrased it, " would be him comin' in that door as weel as
when he left."
Many woman with husbands at the war will appreciate the sentiment thus
expressed. Private May has his home at 38 Colvend Street, Bridgeton,
Glasgow, a quiet thoroughfare in the neighbourhood of Main Street and
adjacent to the bridge which connects with the Rutherglen side of the
river. He has a family of three, the eldest being a sunny little lady of
six summers, and the youngest, of the same sex, eighteen
months.
The hero is 29 years of age, and is known in several of the factories in
the East-end. Previous to joining the army, he acted as a mechanic at the
weaving mill of Messrs John Brown and Company, Adelphi Street, and after
serving the necessary three years with the colours he was employed as a
tenter in the weaving factory of Messrs Frew, Main Street, Bridgeton.
When war broke out Private May had only about a fortnight of his time to
serve as a reservist. Called up with his comrades, he proceeded
immediately to the front, and in the interval he has participated in
nearly all the heavy fighting.
A LUCKY MAN
According to Mrs May, whose anxiety throughout the interview was to
tell her simple tale with befitting modesty, Private May "has always
been lucky." His fortune has been out on occasion, however, for
the gallant soldier received one wound. The mishap occurred on November 2.
Happily the injury was not of a very serious nature, but it was severe
enough to necessitate his remaining in hospital for three weeks. A piece
of shrapnel, which had struck him on the cheek, was the cause of his
absence from duty.
Following upon the treatment at the hospital, Private May was was
transferred to the base, where he was detained for six weeks
Home leave was granted at the expiry of his stay at the base, and the
wounded hero reached Glasgow in time to enjoy the Christmas and New Year
festivities. His holiday among friends was a short one. Three weeks saw it
ended, and at the close of that period he was once again on his way to the
trenches.
Little that was detailed could be ascertained with respect to the gallant
action which had earned the Victoria Cross. In his speech and in his
letters from the front on his return to the fighting zone, Private May had
very little to say concerning the part he had played.
Whispers had reached the ears of Private May that his bravery might be
rewarded with the Distinguished Conduct Medal, but an honour such as had
been awarded was never anticipated.
THE RESCUED OFFICER
Mrs May knew nothing of the earlier act mentioned in the official version.
To the best of her knowledge, Lieutenant D.A.H.Graham, an Edinburgh
gentleman, was the officer whom her husband had rescued. Apologising for
her lack of particulars, and for possible inaccuracies, she explained that
so far as she knew the officer was lying wounded when Private May and a
number of other men endeavoured to bring him back to the British lines. In
the attempt the others who had made the gallant essay were wounded.
Private May, who, in the darkness, was unable to make out the Cameronians
lines. In the circumstances he did the next best thing possible; he
conveyed the wounded officer, although Lieutenant Graham begged the the
brave soldier to leave him to his fate, to a ditch, where shelter was
obtained.
To his chagrin, Private May found, with the arrival of daylight, that the
same amount of exertion would have suffice to bring the wounded officer
right among his friends, for the British lines were but a few yards
distant. Lieutenant Graham, it transpired, was wounded in three
places, and is believed to be recuperating in the East of Scotland at the
moment.
The noble part played by Private May did not escape notice, if the
announcement of the distinction does appear belated. In a letter forwarded
to his wife, Private May enclosed the following intimation which had
reached him:-
"Your
Commanding officer and brigade commander have informed me that you
distinguished yourself on 22nd October, 1914, near La Boutillerie. I have read their report with much pleasure."
signed
J.S.Keir,
Major General, Commanding 6th Division,
British Army in the Field, 31st March, 1915
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Never
in the nation's history has such a spectacle been presented as was
witnessed at Buckingham Place on Saturday afternoon, when 324 heroes,
all decorated with the Victoria Cross - soldiers and sailors who
had won the award for valour during Britain's many wars of 61 years
- were entertained by their King at a garden party at the Palace.
