Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Book: | Beyond The Five Points | Pgs 350-353 | |
Awards & Titles: | George Cross 1939-45 Star War Medal (1939-1945) Africa Star Atlantic Star Burma Star Italy Star Coronation Medal (1953) Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal | ||
Early Life :
See also: VC Online.Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The Second World War 1939-1945, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: |
| Action : |
Sergeant, 369 Heavy Engineering Company, Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers, Army Emergency Reserve
CSP/R225814 Leading Seaman
Detail :
Awarded The Albert Medal, London Gazette 25th November, 1947 Translated to The George Cross, London Gazette 21 October 1971 for his actions aboard HM Cable Ship Saint Margarets, Hay Wharf, Malta on Friday, 20th June, 1947.
"The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the Albert Medal for gallantry in saving life at sea to: —
Leading Seaman Phillip Robert Stevens MAY, CSP/R.225814.
H.M. Cable Ship ST. MARGARETS was lying at Hay Wharf, Malta on 20th June 1947 when a Chief Petty Officer, entering No. 2 cable tank, was overcome by gas. The First Lieutenant, the Boatswain, and four ratings entered the tank to rescue him and were themselves all overcome.
Leading Seaman May then entered the tank, and, in a series of rescues, secured a line with a timber hitch round each of the seven men, so enabling them to be hauled on deck. He did this 'by taking deep breaths, and holding them. Speed was essential, and to have waited for apparatus would have been fatal. He made six separate attempts and although the first victim of the gas died later, he was able to save the lives of all those who had followed him.
After his third venture, Leading Seaman May was himself so exhausted by the fumes and exertion that a ship-mate offered to relieve him, but he himself was overcome and required to *be rescued. May therefore continued his gallant work single handed until the task was completed. Seven men owe their lives to his selfless bravery and determination."
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Simon Langton No. 7586 E.C. | East Kent |
| Joined : | Macdonald No. 1216 E.C. | London |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
- | - | - |
Author of the book "Beyond the Five Points," listing known masonic holders of the Victoria Cross and George Cross.
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley