3/8945, Private, William Arthur MAY
Aged 19
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Born in Newmarket in Q1-1896 [Newmarket 3b:497] to Arthur and Luenda MAY (née HILL),of The Heath, Newmarket.
1901 census...William [5] was living at the Heath, Newmarket with his father Arthur [34], a stud groom; his mother Luenda[35]; sisters Eva [7] and Sibyl [1] and his brother Herbert [3]. All were born in Newmarket. 1911 census...Willie [15] was an apprentice hairdresser, living with his parents and siblings, including a new sister, Ida, at Southfield Road, Newmarket. (this was quite probably the same address as in 1901). |
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From his medal index card is appears his death was presumed to be on 29th April. The 1st Suffolk were near Velorenhoek and their HQ had been hit on the 28th.
On the 29th they were digging new trenches when they were heavily shelled. Roll calls were probably not the first things on their minds at the time with the
incessant rain filling the new trenches with water. Mercifully the most casualties were only wounded, only 1 officer killed on 27th and William May on 29th.
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