Albert Abel May

This story is shared with the Trust with kind permission from Mavis Williams, Researcher. Photo source: David Long, FindaGrave.com

Albert Abel May was born in the Bury registration district in the December quarter of 1910, the son of Abel & Elizabeth Mary Ann May (nee Walker) who had married on the 6th of January 1894 at the Parish Church in Radcliffe, Lancashire. Abel May, 23, a bachelor and ‘Dyer’ of Pilkington, whose father Joshua May was a ‘Check Weighman’ and Elizabeth Mary Ann Walker, 25 and a spinster and ‘Finisher’ of Radcliffe and whose father William Walker was a ‘Paper Maker’ had been married with a Superintendent Registrar’s Certificate.

The 1901 census shows 4 branches of the May family living next door to each other on Rupert Street, Radcliffe. All were working in the Cotton or clothing trade. 1911 sees the family had grown considerably. They were still in Rupert Street, but at No 60, where his parents had lived. Abel May, 39 was a Foreman Dyer (Cotton Skein) and 6 children had been born:. Sarah Ellin May, 16 was a ‘Coloured (Weaver) Cotton’; Elizabeth May, 13, was also a ‘Coloured Weaver,’ and Doris Mabel May, 11, was in School. Alice Annie May, 3, Josua May, 2, and Albert Abel May, 5 months old made up the household.

Tragedy was to strike on the 29th of July 1917, when Abel May, of 111, Outwood Road, Radcliffe died, so Elizabeth May was left with 6 children, the youngest, Albert Abel May, only 6 years old. To make matters worse Abel May’s probate was not proved until the 25th of September 1935 and was for the sum of £235 (approximately £21,694 equivalent today).

The next time we see Albert May is on the 1921 census, which was taken on the 19th of June 1921, where he is living at 111, Outwood Road, Radcliffe. Elizabeth May, aged 52, was now head of the household, widowed and doing Home Duties. Sarah Ellen May, 26 years was single and a Cotton Weaver for G & S. Clegg and Co., Springfield Mill, Radcliffe. Elizabeth May, 23 years, Doris Mabel May, 21 years old and Alice Annie May, 14 years, were all working as Cotton Weavers for the same company. Joshua May, 12 years and Albert Abel May, 10 years were at school.

In the June quarter of 1922 Albert's sister, Elizabeth May, married Willie Davenport in the Bury registration district. The following year, 1922, we see the married couple on the Passenger List for the ship ‘Haverford’ travelling from Liverpool to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. The couple travel back and forth from the United States frequently during the next couple of decades, I believe on business, as Willie was a Cotton Salesman.

I believe that Albert married Edith Marshall in the September quarter of 1931 in the Bury registration district and the young couple are seen on the 1939 National Register, which was taken on the 29th of September 1939, living at 1, Woodley Avenue, Radcliffe. Albert had been born on the 24th of October 1910 and was working as a Shop Assistant, Grocery. Edith May, born on the 18th of September 1909, was doing Unpaid Domestic Duties. But tragedy was to strike again in Albert ‘s life as on the 5th of May 1940 at 45, Ramsey Grove, Edith May, Albert’s young wife, was to pass away from Pulmonary Tuberculosis at the age of 30 years.

Sadly, I have no other information on Albert May, neither his early or teen years, but he was to find himself fighting in the Battle of Normandy and laid down his life for our freedom. He served in 2 Maritime Regiment, Royal Artillery and during the Battle of Normandy he was serving on board the SS Ocean Courier, a Defensively Equipped Merchant Ship (DEMS).

On the night of July 30th/31st, 1944, SS Ocean Courier was part of convoy FTM.53, made up of 14 Merchant ships and three escorts, which departed the Seine Bay for Southend. But three German E Boats, the S 97 (Waldhausen), accompanied by S 114 (Hemmer) and S 91 (Nolte) attacked the convoy off Beachy Head. They fired six torpedoes at the convoy and reported multiple hits. They sank the SS Samwake, and damaged the SS Fort Dearborn and SS Ocean Courier. Ocean Courier was torpedoed between No.4/No.5 hold on the port side.

A citation for the Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea awarded to Tom Pearson, Second Officer on the Ocean Courier explains what happened next.

There were several casualties among the members of the crew, some of whom were trapped in their quarters. Second Officer Pearson showed exceptional courage and leadership in difficult and dangerous circumstances. Although it was uncertain at the time whether the ship would remain afloat, he collected together a party of volunteers and led them to the rescue of their shipmates. Five bodies were recovered and two men were brought out alive.

The damaged ships were towed to Dungeness, Kent and Albert May was buried in Dover (St James') Cemetery. The Ocean Courier was taken by two tugs to Middlesbrough for repairs which were completed in March 1945.

On the Register of Deceased Seamen, Albert May’s address was 111, Outwood Road, Radcliffe, so it looks as though he had returned home to his family after Edith’s death. I don’t believe there were any children from their marriage. Albert is commemorated on the family headstone in Radcliffe (Stand Lane) New Church Burial Ground - former New Jerusalem Church.

British Normandy Memorial - Additional Information

Unfortunately, we do not have a photo of Albert May. If you are aware of one, or you are related to Albert, we would love to hear from you so we can add to his story.