Henry May | |
|---|---|
 Image from picture postcard of Henry May. | |
| Born | (1885-07-29)29 July 1885 |
| Died | 26 July 1941(1941-07-26) (aged 55) Glasgow, Scotland |
| Buried | Riddrie Park Cemetery |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1902–1915 1918–1919 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Service number | 7504 |
| Unit | |
| Battles / wars | World War I |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
LieutenantHenry MayVC (29 July 1885 – 26 July 1941) was aScottish recipient of theVictoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded toBritish andCommonwealth forces.
Henry was born 29 July 1885 inBridgeton, Glasgow, to William and Maggie May.
He attendedDalmarnock Public School in Bridgeton and enlisted in the Army on 29 August 1902 at the age of seventeen. He served as arifleman in the 1st Battalion,Cameronians (Scottish Rifles),British Army during theFirst World War.
He was Initiated into Freemasonry in The Lodge of Glasgow, No. 441, (Glasgow, Scotland) on 24 April, Passed on 12 June and Raised 10 July 1914.[1]
On 22 October 1914 inFrance, May rescuedLieutenantDouglas Graham. May dragged him 300 yards whilst under fire. Earlier in the same day May had voluntarily attempted a rescue of a heavily wounded man, who died before May could reach him.
The citation was published in a supplement to theLondon Gazette of 16 April 1915, dated 19 April 1915, and read:[2]
War Office, 19th April, 1915.
His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the grant of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned Officer, Non-commissioned Officer and Men for their conspicuous acts of bravery and devotion to duty whilst serving with the Expeditionary Force: —
[...]
No. 7504 Private Henry May, 1st Battalion, The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles).
For most conspicuous bravery near La Boutillerie, on 22nd October, 1914, in voluntarily endeavouring to rescue, under very heavy fire, a wounded man, who was killed before he could save him, and subsequently, on the same day, in carrying a wounded Officer a distance of 300 yards into safety whilst exposed to very severe fire.
The Victoria Cross was presented to May byKing George V on 12 August 1915.[3]
Henry May was initially discharged from the Army on 28 August 1915 after receiving the VC, after 13 years as a regular.[3] He later rejoined in 1918 and achieved the rank ofLieutenant in theArmy Service Corps.[3]
After the war, May returned to work in the textiles industry.[3] He died on 26 July 1941 and is buried atRiddrie Park Cemetery, Glasgow, Section B, Lair 146. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Cameronians Regimental Museum withinHamilton Low Parks Museum inHamilton, Scotland.
In October 2014, an engraved granite paving stone was laid during a ceremony outside thePeople's Palace in Glasgow to remember May and his bravery.[3] The ceremony was attended by his grandchildren. Glasgow's DeputeLord Provost unveiled the memorial and said "May [...] ranks among the very few men in the Great War who survived while carrying out the ultimate act of valour, risking his life to save the lives of comrades [...] He deserves our utmost respect and it will be a real honour to meet with his relatives".[3]