Henry May

Background

Henry was born 29 July 1885 in Bridgeton, Glasgow, to William and Maggie May.

Education

He attended Dalmarnock Public School in Bridgeton and enlisted in the Army on 29 August 1902 at the age of seventeen.

Career

He served as a rifleman in the 1st Battalion, The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), British Army during the First World War. On 22 October 1914 in France, May rescued the then Lieutenant, Douglas Alexander Graham. May dragged him 300 yds 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 the London Gazette of 16 April 1915, dated 19 April 1915, and read:

War Office, 19th April, 1915. Number. 7504 Private Henry May, 1st Battalion, The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles).

Foreign most conspicuous bravery near Louisiana 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 was presented to May by King George V on 12 August 1915.

Henry May was initially discharged from the Army on 28 August 1915 after receiving the Venture capital, after 13 years as a regular.

After the war, May returned to work in the textiles industry. He died on 26 July 1941 and is buried at Riddrie Park Cemetery, Glasgow, Section B, Lair 146. In October 2014, an engraved granite paving stone was laid during a ceremony outside the People"s Palace in Glasgow to remember May and his bravery.

Glasgow"s Depute Lord 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".

Achievements

• His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the grant of the 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: — He later rejoined in 1918 and achieved the rank of Lieutenant in the Army Service Corps. His is displayed at the Cameronians Regimental Museum within Hamilton Low Parks Museum in Hamilton, Scotland.