May, Edward Joseph
Personal Information
Rank | F/S |
Forename(s) | Edward Joseph |
Surname | May |
Gender | M |
Age | 21 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 05-09-1942 |
Next of Kin | Son of Edward Marsh May and Ethel May. Husband of Dorothy May May, of Shepherd's Bush, London. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster I |
Serial Number | R5682 |
Markings | QR-E |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Netherlands |
Burial/Memorial Place | Tietjerksteradeel (Eernewoude) Protestant Churchyard |
Grave Reference | Plot 15. Grave 2. |
Epitaph | IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY DEAR HUSBAND "PRAISE, MY SOUL, THE KING OF HEAVEN" |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 69 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 755631 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 5 |
Squadron | 61 |
Trade | WOp/AG |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Miscellaneous Information
Aircraft recovery experts Leemans Special Works, aided by the Dutch Air Force and explosives experts, recovered R5682 from the river bed where it came to rest, using a cofferdam. It was believed that W/O Cooper could still be in position in his gun turret and although human remains were found, DNA testing showed beyond doubt that the remains were not those of W/O Cooper but instead some additional remains belonging to P/O Joslin. These were reunited in his existing grave. BBMF's Lancaster overflew the site on 3rd October 2017 to pay tribute to the lost airmen. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/577/42 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/577/41 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 04-09-1942 |
End Date | 05-09-1942 |
Takeoff Station | Syerston |
Day/Night Raid | Night (29% moon) |
Operation | Bremen |
Reason for Loss | Hit by flak over Dutch Coast and then finished off by night fighter. Crashed near Wartena, Friesland. Probably a victim of Hptm Helmut Lent, StII/NJG2. F/S Joslin was able to give the crew members enough time to bail out and four were able to do so, all becoming PoW. |