PRIVATE HENRY MAY OF THE 1ST BATTALION THE CAMERONIANS (SCOTTISH RIFLES).

He was born in Glasgow on 2 September 1885. His award was gazetted on 19 April 1915.

On 22 October 1914 near La Boutillerie, France, Private May tried to rescue, under very heavy fire, a wounded man who was killed before he could save him. Later, on the same day, he carried a wounded officer 300 yards to safety while exposed to very severe fire.

It is said that personal written accounts of such events are rare. Here are May’s own words.

‘Lance Corporal McColl took one arm and I the other with the intention of carrying him back to safety but the Huns continued to fire with the result the wounded man was killed in my arms and Lance Corporal McColl was knocked unconscious. I then flattened myself on the ground determined to fire my last cartridge, when I saw Lieutenant (Graham) go down with a bullet in the leg. I then jumped up and called to Private Bell to follow and between the two of us we managed to carry the Lieutenant about 300 yards, when Bell got two bullet-wounds in hand and foot. I managed to drag the Lieutenant still nearer safety, when a corporal came to my aid, and I lifted Lieutenant Graham on his shoulders; but no luck, the corporal was shot dead with the Lieutenant on his shoulders. I then clenched my teeth and made a supreme effort and I managed to dragbLieutenant Graham to safety. I was wounded on 2 November 1914, discharged 28 August 1915.’

Having recovered from his wounds Henry May re-enlisted and was commissioned in the Army Service Corps. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant. He died on 26 July 1941 at Riddrie, Glasgow.

His grave there eventually fell into disrepair. With the help of funds raised largely by former soldiers of the Regiment it has recently (2006) been refurbished and a new head-stone of grey granite, suitably inscribed, has replaced the original.

Henry May’s medal is in the Museum of The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles).