Military service
Burial/memorial information
The son of Lieutenant Arthur William May (Military Cross and Bar, WWI) and Helen Mary Earp, he lived in Nipawin, Saskatchewan. He attended the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario, and graduated with the Class of ’40 on October 13, 1939. He was then 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 NCOs selected, on the basis of their standing with their comrades, to be 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 that had been overrun by the enemy during 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).
Digital gallery of Captain David Arthur May
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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. -
bio
From of the 2016 edition of the Saskatchewan Canadian Legion Service Recognition Book. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Attestation paper
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
From the Montreal Star. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
From the Toronto Star March 1943. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
Memorialized on the pages of the Globe and Mail. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Telegram
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Letter
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Circumstances of death
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Letter
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Letter
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Letter
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Memorial Arch
Memorial arch, Royal Military College, Kingston, Ontario -
Memorial Doll
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Memorial Stair
Memorial stair, Royal Military College, Kingston, Ontario -
Memorial Stained Glass
Memorial window, Royal Military College, Kingston, Ontario -
Memorial Stained Glass
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Memorial Stained Glass
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Memorial
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Gravemarker of Captain David Arthur May
Captain May is buried in Grave 8, Row G, Plot 11<br> of the Medjez-El-Bab War Cemetery, Tunisia.<br> Dearly Loved - Sadly Missed.<br> <i>"They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old,<br> Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn,<br> At the going down of the sun, and in the morning<br> We will remember them."</i>
Digital gallery of
Captain David Arthur May
Digital gallery of
Captain David Arthur May
Digital gallery of
Captain David Arthur May
Digital gallery of
Captain David Arthur May
Digital gallery of
Captain David Arthur May
Digital gallery of
Captain David Arthur May
Digital gallery of
Captain David Arthur May
Digital gallery of
Captain David Arthur May
Digital gallery of
Captain David Arthur May
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 188 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
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MEDJEZ-EL-BAB WAR CEMETERY Tunisia
For more information, visit Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
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