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| Bridgeton's war
hero
Pte. Henry
May page 3 of 5 |
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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 3 brothers:
1.
Daniel
2. Joseph
3. James ( L/cpl James May 2nd Batt. KOSB
was killed in action at Lille, France on 18th
October 1914.)
Henry's 2 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 Frew,
Forrest & Company, Muslin Manufacturers,
Rutherglen Bridge Factory, 344 Main Street,
Bridgeton, Glasgow.
Post Office Directory 1911-12
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
Mason
A member of Masonic Lodge
Glasgow at Glasgow No.441, on 24th April 1914.
Passed 12 June. Raised 10th July 1914
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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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Extract
from e-mail Mar.2013, Robert Tucker
I
am Robert Tucker and I am writing a book about
all the Scotsmen who have won the VC. I accessed
your website for Henry May VC and have gleaned a
lot of information. Thanks.
On the site it asks to contact you if I knew
anything more about Henry. Well, you have him
with two brothers from his parents william and
Margaret. I have located three brothers. The one
you seem not to have is Daniel May born on the
8th May, 1881, at Bridgeton,
Glasgow. I hope this is of help. |
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