Henry May (VC)

He dragged his wounded officer to safety through heavy fire.

Henry May was born in Bridgeton, Glasgow, in July 1885. After attending local schools he entered factory work, training as a mechanic. He enlisted in the Cameronians in August 1902, served in South Africa and then transferred to the reserve. Back in Glasgow he worked in textile manufacturing and married Christina Dewar in 1908.

Recalled in August 1914, he crossed to France with the 1st Battalion Cameronians and took part in the early campaigning of the British Expeditionary Force. On 22 October, near La Boutillerie, his platoon covered other men digging a defensive position. Enemy troops attacked at close range and forced the covering party to withdraw.

May first tried to bring in a wounded lance corporal, but the man was killed before he could be saved. He then saw Lieutenant Douglas Graham fall. With help from other soldiers, May began taking the officer back through intense fire. Successive helpers were themselves wounded or killed. Despite the exhaustion of the long carry and Graham's instruction that they leave him, May persisted until the officer reached safety.

May was wounded himself at Ypres in November. He recovered in Britain and returned to France early in 1915. The Victoria Cross was announced in April, and King George V presented it at Buckingham Palace in August. His regular engagement expired later that month, bringing a return to civilian work.

He enlisted again in 1917, this time in the Army Service Corps, and received a commission in its motor transport branch in March 1918. He later served in northern Russia during 1919 before illness brought him home.

After military service he resumed textile work and became a partner in a Glasgow hosiery business. He died in Glasgow on 26 July 1941 and was buried at Riddrie Park Cemetery. Four fellow Victoria Cross recipients attended his funeral. His surviving five-medal group is held by the Cameronians museum.

Official Victoria Cross citation

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.

Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 16 April 1915. 19 April 1915, Numb. 29135, p. 3815