TOPIC:

Hello, I am seeking help in researching my Granddad -Harry May.

We know little of his early life but my Dad and Uncles were told that he joined the army at the age of 15. As he was born in Liverpool and by the fact that he spoke of being part of a display charge on Southport beach, I believe that he was part of the Lancashire Fusiliers.

I have found a H May 6129 on the records but do not know if it was Granddad.

We were told he was a despatch rider who with a colleague were shot at by the Boers.. His friend was killed and Granddad injured. He was picked up by Canadian Doctors and when it was found he was underage he was dismissed from the army.

As Granddad was quite an enigma, and the first record that I can verify of him is in 1911, any information on him through the LF would be a massive help.
Thank you for your time.

ronnoco100 wrote: Hello, I am seeking help in researching my Granddad -Harry May.

We know little of his early life but my Dad and Uncles were told that he joined the army at the age of 15. As he was born in Liverpool and by the fact that he spoke of being part of a display charge on Southport beach, I believe that he was part of the Lancashire Fusiliers.

I have found a H May 6129 on the records but do not know if it was Granddad.

We were told he was a despatch rider who with a colleague were shot at by the Boers.. His friend was killed and Granddad injured. He was picked up by Canadian Doctors and when it was found he was underage he was dismissed from the army.

As Granddad was quite an enigma, and the first record that I can verify of him is in 1911, any information on him through the LF would be a massive help.
Thank you for your time.

Hi from Canada, I got this.
6129 Private Harry May 2nd Bn.
The XXth The Lancashire Fusiliers.

Picked up by Canadian Doctor, I would think not, just my thought.

That's all the info I found on No. 6129 Harry May.

best of luck with the rest.

Thank you for this - a gentleman has given me details on this person and it appears that he enlisted when my Granddad would have been 5 years old so I think I need to cross him from my list.

The Canadian Doctors seems quite random I admit and as I have no knowledge of the Boer War I do not know if they were there or not.

It is very kind of you to offer some help and it is very much appreciated.

Kind regards
Anne

lots of Canadians went to the boer war think I heard a story about my grandfather helping to pull wounded Canadians of diamond hill while under fire I think a new zealand sargent got a vc for it at diamond hill ,

Hello

That is really interesting - it adds weight to my hope that Granddad may have been telling the truth as Canadians were involved.

I'll see what I can find out about Diamond Hill

Best wishes

Anne

ronnoco100 wrote: Hello

That is really interesting - it adds weight to my hope that Granddad may have been telling the truth as Canadians were involved.

I'll see what I can find out about Diamond Hill

Best wishes

Anne

No where in my reply I stated, Canadians weren’t involved in the SAW, and could've been brought to a MFH, etc., and treated by a Canadian doctor.

Like you stated, “he was found and picked up by Canadian Doctors, while he was wounded.”

That I would question?



My Reminiscences of the Anglo-Boer War; By Gen. Ben Viljoen.
Chapter xvi: Battle of Donkerhoek, "Diamond Hill."


Battle of Donkerhoek, date 11-12 June 1900.



Selections from the Smuts Papers: Volume 1, June 1886-May 1902
edited by W. K. Hancock, Jean van der Poel.

Donkerhoek or Dimond Hill, p.561.


books.google.ca/books?id=lQKM_11D6I0C&pg...%20Hill%22).&f=false





.