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| Bridgeton's war hero
Pte.Henry May page 3 of
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and first Glaswegian to be awarded the VC in the 1st World War
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Henry May & family
personal details
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Henry May VC
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His father, William
Henry May born c.1855
mother, Margaret (Maggie) Fyffe c.1857 in
Madras, India
Married on 13th
August 1879 in Bridgeton, Glasgow, Scotland.
At the time of the 1881 census they were living at 198 Boden St.
Bridgeton
At the time of the 1891 census they were living at 29 Hozier St.
Bridgeton
Henry's brothers:
1. Henry
2. Joseph
3. James ( L/cpl James May 2nd Batt. KOSB was killed in action
at
Lille, France on 18th October 1914.)
Henry's sisters:
1. Sarah
2. Smollet (Molly)
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Henry married Christina Dewar on 5th June
1908
They had five children :
1. Agnes ( known as Nessie) born on 24th April 1909, who later married as
Green
2. Henry born on 1st March 1911
3. Margaret, born on 12th January 1914, who later married as O'May
4. James
5. George
Please get in touch with me if you can add any details to Henry's family.
E-mail, June 2004, Digby
Hamilton, Wales, UK
Dear Webmaister, No reference to #Henry
May's 6th child, Paul May Hamilton on your site.
The result of an ephemeral meeting on armistice night. No problem.
Just that you were asking for any more information on Henry's family
and I have some, in a box in the attic...... |
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Service Record
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Enlisted on 29th August 1902 giving his age as 18 ( he was 17 ) and
occupation Labourer
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Promoted to Lance Corporal on 18th Jan 1903 and received posting order on
27th January 1903.
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Reduced to rank of Private on 16th February 1903 for misconduct.
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Awarded the Good Conduct Badge on 29th August 1904.
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Posted to 2nd Cameronians in South Africa 4th March 1903 until 27th May
1904.
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Transferred to the Reserve early and with his agreement on 31st January
1905.
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Mobilised on 5th August 1915.
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Won his VC near La Boutillerie, France on 22nd October 1914.
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Wounded in the face by shrapnel on 2nd November 1914 during attacks on the
town of Ypres, france.
Invalided home after spending a period of time in
the base hospital.
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Returned to France in January 1915.
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Discharged at the end of 13 years service on 28th August 1915.
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Rejoined
on 4th March 1918 and was commissioned into the Army Service Corps as a
T/2 Lieutenant.
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Temporary Lieutenant on 4th Sept.1915, Demobilized in
1919.
Orders,
Decorations, Medals
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Victoria Cross
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1914 Star with 'Mons' bar
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Victory Medal 1914-19
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British War Medal 1914-20
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GVIR Coronation Medal 1937
VC
Reunions
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Civilian History
Education
1. Dalmarnock Public
School, Bridgeton, Dalmarnock
2. Royal Technical College Glasgow ( now University of
Strathclyde )
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Pre Service Employment
Worked as a tenter with Forrest Frew & Company, muslin manufacturers,
Bridgeton, Glasgow
He was also employed as an inspector in a munitions factory after his
discharge on 28th August 1915 until he re-enlisted in 1918.
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Post Service Employment
Became a partner in the Glasgow Manufacturing Company
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Death see page 5 graveside photos |
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| Please get in touch with me if you can add any details to
Henry's life |
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23rd.Feb.2003 I met Henry May's great nephew today, Jimmy Hall.
Henry May's wife Christine had a sister Marion Dewar , her daughter Helen
Hall (nee Dewar) had three sons and two daughters. Jimmy Hall is one of
her sons born 17 June 1939.
I met Jimmy in Walker's Bar at Bridgeton Cross and not surprisingly he
knew very little about his Mothers's uncle. ( it was a long time ago) He could relate one story
however which his mother told him....one day she was walking through Bridgeton
with baby Jimmy in her arms wrapped in a shawl, when they bumped into Uncle
Harry ( Henry May) and he gave the baby a '*wooden threepenny bit ' at
the time his mother felt this was miserly as most folk gave new babies
silver money! ( *The old threepenny coin was known as a wooden thrupenny in Glasgow )
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Extract from e-mail Feb.06 Alison
Wilson Johnston (nee McIntosh) Great Niece
I am the Great Niece of Henry May V.C.
My mother was Catherine Wilson McIntosh (nee May) daughter of Joseph May,
Brother of Harry.
I have been gathering info on Henry for around 8 years.
I have some personal items that would have been given
to my Grandfather by him. Don't get too exited they are a signed photo of
Harry after winning the V.C, also wearing the medal, which I am sure is
the one you are displaying on your web page. I also have a poem or song
written for Harry on his return by Pte A McIntyre and lots of family
Photos.
I have in the past posted details of the poem on the
internet hoping someone could fill in a missing verse.
Over the years I have exchanged details with authors,
enthusiasts and family.
I have been trying to trace Heather Murray (nee
Green) Grand Daughter, to Harry whom my Mother and Father were close to in
past years. Sadly to no avail but I have not given up. I noticed that your
web page had an entry for L/Cpl Murray who should be the grandson to
Heather, I have contacted Alldershot in hope they can pass on my details
to him or his family.
For our Canadian relatives I would be glad to forward
photos of the May's and extended family's. I remember Great Aunt Sarah
well as a child, and have a photograph of her two children who died in
infancy plus many more. If I can shed any light to information anyone may
or may not have please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Thank you Alison
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