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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

David Arthur May

In memory of:

Captain David Arthur May

February 27, 1943

Military Service

Age:

24

Force:

Army

Unit:

Royal Canadian Artillery

Division:

12th Field Regiment

Citation(s):

1939-45 Star, Africa Star and First Army Clasp, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (C.V.S.M.) with Clasp and War Medal 1939-45.

Additional Information

Born:

April 21, 1918
Gloucestershire, England

The son of Lieutenant Arthur William May (Military Cross and Bar-WWI) and Helen Mary Earp and lived in Nipawin, Saskatchewan. He attended the Royal Military College at Kingston, Ontario, and graduated with the Class of '40 on October 13, 1939. He then was commissioned in the Royal Canadian Artillery. Before proceeding overseas on July 18, 1941 he was stationed on the east coast of Canada. He married Evelyn Baker Richmond, of Sydney Nova Scotia on July 4, 1941. Captain May, 12th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, was killed in action near Bou Arada, Tunisia, on February 27, 1943, while serving with the 152nd Field Regiment (Ayrshire Yeomanry) Royal Artillery. He was one of the first group of officers and NCO's chosen on the basis of their standing with their comrades, who were sent to North Africa to gain battle experience while serving with the British First Army. Captain May was killed while attempting to re-establish a forward Observation Post which had been overrun by the enemy in heavy fighting the previous day. In tribute to Captain May's service and sacrifice he is remembered:

  • On The Memorial Window, Currie Hall, Royal Military College, Kingston, and on the arch at the entrance to the college.
  • On The Memorial Plaque in Ayr Old Church, Ayr, Scotland, commemorating the members of the Ayrshire (E.C.O.) Yeomanry who gave their lives in the World War 1939-45.
  • In The Alcove commemorating the Scottish Yeomanry at the Scottish National War Museum, The Castle, Edinburgh.
  • By the naming of "MAY BAY" on Lake Primeau, Saskatchewan (55o56'N--107o10'W).

Commemorated on Page 188 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information

Cemetery:

MEDJEZ-EL-BAB WAR CEMETERY
Tunisia

Grave Reference:

11. G. 8.

Location:

The Medjez-el-Bab War Cemetery is on the road to Le Kef (Route P5), about 3 kilometres west of Medjez-el-Bab. Medjez-el-Bab lies on the banks of the River Medjerda 60 kilometres west of Tunis.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

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  • Newspaper clipping– Memorialized on the pages of the Globe and Mail. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – Memorialized on the pages of the Globe and Mail. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

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    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Attestation paper– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

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    Attestation paper
    Attestation paper – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Circumstances of death– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

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    Circumstances of death
    Circumstances of death – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Letter– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

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    Letter
    Letter – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Letter– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

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    Letter
    Letter – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Letter– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

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    Letter
    Letter – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Letter– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

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    Letter
    Letter – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Telegram– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

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    Telegram
    Telegram – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Star March 1943. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

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    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Star March 1943. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of Captain David Arthur May– Captain David Arthur May, was stationed with the 16th Coast Brigade, Sydney and Canso Fortress Headquarters. He transferred to the 12th Field Reg't, R.C.A. on 1 January 1941 and proceeded overseas to U.K. on 18 July 1941. On 22 December 1942 he embarked for North Africa where he served with the Ayrshire Yeomanry, Royal Artillery, British First Army.

    Details

    Photo of Captain David Arthur May
    Photo of Captain David Arthur May – Captain David Arthur May, was stationed with the 16th Coast Brigade, Sydney and Canso Fortress Headquarters. He transferred to the 12th Field Reg't, R.C.A. on 1 January 1941 and proceeded overseas to U.K. on 18 July 1941. On 22 December 1942 he embarked for North Africa where he served with the Ayrshire Yeomanry, Royal Artillery, British First Army.
  • Photo 2 of Captain David Arthur May– At Royal Military College, Kingston, David was the knockout winner of The Open Middleweight Boxing Title in 1939 and tied for the Gold Cup as Best Boxer of the college, any weight.

    Details

    Photo 2 of Captain David Arthur May
    Photo 2 of Captain David Arthur May – At Royal Military College, Kingston, David was the knockout winner of The Open Middleweight Boxing Title in 1939 and tied for the Gold Cup as Best Boxer of the college, any weight.
  • Gravemarker of Captain David Arthur May– Captain May is buried in Grave 8, Row G, Plot 11 of the Medjez-El-Bab War Cemetery, Tunisia. Dearly Loved - Sadly Missed. "They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old, Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn, At the going down of the sun, and in the morning We will remember them."

    Details

    Gravemarker of Captain David Arthur May
    Gravemarker of Captain David Arthur May – Captain May is buried in Grave 8, Row G, Plot 11 of the Medjez-El-Bab War Cemetery, Tunisia. Dearly Loved - Sadly Missed. "They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old, Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn, At the going down of the sun, and in the morning We will remember them."
  • Memorial Stained Glass– Ex-cadets are named on the Memorial Arch at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario and in memorial stained glass windows to fallen comrades. 2453 Capt David Arthur May (RMC 1935) was born April 21, 1918 in Gloucestershire, England. He served with the Royal Canadian Artillery, 12th Field Regiment. He was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star and First Army Clasp, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (C.V.S.M.) with Clasp and War Medal 1939-45. The son of Lieutenant Arthur William May (Military Cross and Bar-WWI) and Helen Mary Earp and lived in Nipawin, Saskatchewan. He attended the Royal Military College at Kingston, Ontario, and graduated with the Class of '40 on October 13, 1939. He married Evelyn Baker Richmond, of Sydney Nova Scotia on July 4, 1941. He was one of the first group of officers and NCO's chosen on the basis of their standing with their comrades, who were sent to North Africa to gain battle experience while serving with the British First Army. Captain May was killed on Feb 27, 1943 while attempting to re-establish a forward Observation Post which had been overrun by the enemy in heavy fighting the previous day. He was buried in the Medjez-El-Bab War Cemetery in Tunisia.

    Details

    Memorial Stained Glass
    Memorial Stained Glass – Ex-cadets are named on the Memorial Arch at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario and in memorial stained glass windows to fallen comrades. 2453 Capt David Arthur May (RMC 1935) was born April 21, 1918 in Gloucestershire, England. He served with the Royal Canadian Artillery, 12th Field Regiment. He was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star and First Army Clasp, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (C.V.S.M.) with Clasp and War Medal 1939-45. The son of Lieutenant Arthur William May (Military Cross and Bar-WWI) and Helen Mary Earp and lived in Nipawin, Saskatchewan. He attended the Royal Military College at Kingston, Ontario, and graduated with the Class of '40 on October 13, 1939. He married Evelyn Baker Richmond, of Sydney Nova Scotia on July 4, 1941. He was one of the first group of officers and NCO's chosen on the basis of their standing with their comrades, who were sent to North Africa to gain battle experience while serving with the British First Army. Captain May was killed on Feb 27, 1943 while attempting to re-establish a forward Observation Post which had been overrun by the enemy in heavy fighting the previous day. He was buried in the Medjez-El-Bab War Cemetery in Tunisia.
  • Memorial– Ex-cadets are named on the Memorial Arch at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario and in memorial stained glass windows to fallen comrades. 2453 Capt David Arthur May (RMC 1935) was born April 21, 1918 in Gloucestershire, England. He served with the Royal Canadian Artillery, 12th Field Regiment. He was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star and First Army Clasp, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (C.V.S.M.) with Clasp and War Medal 1939-45. The son of Lieutenant Arthur William May (Military Cross and Bar-WWI) and Helen Mary Earp and lived in Nipawin, Saskatchewan. He attended the Royal Military College at Kingston, Ontario, and graduated with the Class of '40 on October 13, 1939. He married Evelyn Baker Richmond, of Sydney Nova Scotia on July 4, 1941. He was one of the first group of officers and NCO's chosen on the basis of their standing with their comrades, who were sent to North Africa to gain battle experience while serving with the British First Army. Captain May was killed on Feb 27, 1943 while attempting to re-establish a forward Observation Post which had been overrun by the enemy in heavy fighting the previous day. He was buried in the Medjez-El-Bab War Cemetery in Tunisia.

    Details

    Memorial
    Memorial – Ex-cadets are named on the Memorial Arch at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario and in memorial stained glass windows to fallen comrades. 2453 Capt David Arthur May (RMC 1935) was born April 21, 1918 in Gloucestershire, England. He served with the Royal Canadian Artillery, 12th Field Regiment. He was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star and First Army Clasp, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (C.V.S.M.) with Clasp and War Medal 1939-45. The son of Lieutenant Arthur William May (Military Cross and Bar-WWI) and Helen Mary Earp and lived in Nipawin, Saskatchewan. He attended the Royal Military College at Kingston, Ontario, and graduated with the Class of '40 on October 13, 1939. He married Evelyn Baker Richmond, of Sydney Nova Scotia on July 4, 1941. He was one of the first group of officers and NCO's chosen on the basis of their standing with their comrades, who were sent to North Africa to gain battle experience while serving with the British First Army. Captain May was killed on Feb 27, 1943 while attempting to re-establish a forward Observation Post which had been overrun by the enemy in heavy fighting the previous day. He was buried in the Medjez-El-Bab War Cemetery in Tunisia.
  • Memorial Doll– Ex-cadets are named on the Memorial Arch at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario and in memorial stained glass windows to fallen comrades. 2453 Capt David Arthur May (RMC 1935) was born April 21, 1918 in Gloucestershire, England. He served with the Royal Canadian Artillery, 12th Field Regiment. He was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star and First Army Clasp, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (C.V.S.M.) with Clasp and War Medal 1939-45. The son of Lieutenant Arthur William May (Military Cross and Bar-WWI) and Helen Mary Earp and lived in Nipawin, Saskatchewan. He attended the Royal Military College at Kingston, Ontario, and graduated with the Class of '40 on October 13, 1939. He married Evelyn Baker Richmond, of Sydney Nova Scotia on July 4, 1941. He was one of the first group of officers and NCO's chosen on the basis of their standing with their comrades, who were sent to North Africa to gain battle experience while serving with the British First Army. Captain May was killed on Feb 27, 1943 while attempting to re-establish a forward Observation Post which had been overrun by the enemy in heavy fighting the previous day. He was buried in the Medjez-El-Bab War Cemetery in Tunisia.

    Details

    Memorial Doll
    Memorial Doll – Ex-cadets are named on the Memorial Arch at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario and in memorial stained glass windows to fallen comrades. 2453 Capt David Arthur May (RMC 1935) was born April 21, 1918 in Gloucestershire, England. He served with the Royal Canadian Artillery, 12th Field Regiment. He was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star and First Army Clasp, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (C.V.S.M.) with Clasp and War Medal 1939-45. The son of Lieutenant Arthur William May (Military Cross and Bar-WWI) and Helen Mary Earp and lived in Nipawin, Saskatchewan. He attended the Royal Military College at Kingston, Ontario, and graduated with the Class of '40 on October 13, 1939. He married Evelyn Baker Richmond, of Sydney Nova Scotia on July 4, 1941. He was one of the first group of officers and NCO's chosen on the basis of their standing with their comrades, who were sent to North Africa to gain battle experience while serving with the British First Army. Captain May was killed on Feb 27, 1943 while attempting to re-establish a forward Observation Post which had been overrun by the enemy in heavy fighting the previous day. He was buried in the Medjez-El-Bab War Cemetery in Tunisia.
  • Memorial Stained Glass– Ex-cadets are named on the Memorial Arch at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario and in memorial stained glass windows to fallen comrades. 2453 Capt David Arthur May (RMC 1935) was born April 21, 1918 in Gloucestershire, England. He served with the Royal Canadian Artillery, 12th Field Regiment. He was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star and First Army Clasp, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (C.V.S.M.) with Clasp and War Medal 1939-45. The son of Lieutenant Arthur William May (Military Cross and Bar-WWI) and Helen Mary Earp and lived in Nipawin, Saskatchewan. He attended the Royal Military College at Kingston, Ontario, and graduated with the Class of '40 on October 13, 1939. He married Evelyn Baker Richmond, of Sydney Nova Scotia on July 4, 1941. He was one of the first group of officers and NCO's chosen on the basis of their standing with their comrades, who were sent to North Africa to gain battle experience while serving with the British First Army. Captain May was killed on Feb 27, 1943 while attempting to re-establish a forward Observation Post which had been overrun by the enemy in heavy fighting the previous day. He was buried in the Medjez-El-Bab War Cemetery in Tunisia.

    Details

    Memorial Stained Glass
    Memorial Stained Glass – Ex-cadets are named on the Memorial Arch at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario and in memorial stained glass windows to fallen comrades. 2453 Capt David Arthur May (RMC 1935) was born April 21, 1918 in Gloucestershire, England. He served with the Royal Canadian Artillery, 12th Field Regiment. He was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star and First Army Clasp, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (C.V.S.M.) with Clasp and War Medal 1939-45. The son of Lieutenant Arthur William May (Military Cross and Bar-WWI) and Helen Mary Earp and lived in Nipawin, Saskatchewan. He attended the Royal Military College at Kingston, Ontario, and graduated with the Class of '40 on October 13, 1939. He married Evelyn Baker Richmond, of Sydney Nova Scotia on July 4, 1941. He was one of the first group of officers and NCO's chosen on the basis of their standing with their comrades, who were sent to North Africa to gain battle experience while serving with the British First Army. Captain May was killed on Feb 27, 1943 while attempting to re-establish a forward Observation Post which had been overrun by the enemy in heavy fighting the previous day. He was buried in the Medjez-El-Bab War Cemetery in Tunisia.
  • Memorial Stair– Memorial stair, Royal Military College, Kingston, Ontario

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    Memorial Stair
    Memorial Stair – Memorial stair, Royal Military College, Kingston, Ontario
  • Memorial Stained Glass– Memorial window, Royal Military College, Kingston, Ontario

    Details

    Memorial Stained Glass
    Memorial Stained Glass – Memorial window, Royal Military College, Kingston, Ontario
  • Memorial Arch– Memorial arch, Royal Military College, Kingston, Ontario

    Details

    Memorial Arch
    Memorial Arch – Memorial arch, Royal Military College, Kingston, Ontario

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