May, Thomas Irving
Personal Information
Rank | F/S |
Forename(s) | Thomas Irving |
Surname | May |
Gender | M |
Age | 21 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 22-01-1942 |
Next of Kin | Son of William and Elizabeth Irving May, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Hampden I |
Serial Number | AD754 |
Markings |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Maidstone Cemetery, Kent |
Grave Reference | Plot C.C.1. Grave 117. |
Epitaph | NOT DEAD TO US WHO LOVED HIM, HE LIVES IN OUR MEMORIES FOR EVERMORE |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 69 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | R/60219 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 5 |
Squadron | 408 (Goose) |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Village Centre, Linton on Ouse, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stone Memorial and inscribed slate tablet |
Memorial Text | In memory of 408 (Goose) and 426 (Thunderbird) Squadrons of R.C.A.F |
Miscellaneous Information
The pilot, Sgt FARROW awarded an immediate DFM (5-2-1942) with following citation: "One night in January 1942, this airman was the pilot of an aircraft which bombed Emden. The aircraft was subsequently attacked and badly damaged by fire from two enemy fighters. F/Sgt Farrow received a slight wound in the leg and the remaining members of the crew were seriously woun ded. In the face of the harassing, F/Sgt Farrow ordered the crew to abandon aircraft. Unaware that his message had not been received, as the intercommunication system had broken down, and believing himself to be alone in the aircraft, he finally evaded his attackers and set an approximate course for England. Flying a badly damaged aircraft, on a dark moonless night, and with no instruments to aid him, F/Sgt Farrow eventually reached this country where he made a safe landing with the undercarriage retracted. By this skill and resolution, he saved both his aircraft and, unknowingly, his wounded crew. This airman has participated in many operational missions and had always shown courage and tenacity worthy of high praise". |
Casualty Pack Number Find Out More
AIR 81/11687 (P365546/42) |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1796/12 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1796/11 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 21-01-1942 |
End Date | 22-01-1942 |
Takeoff Station | Balderton |
Day/Night Raid | Night (29% moon) |
Operation | Emden |
Reason for Loss | Badly damaged by both cannon shells and machine gun fire during a night-fighter attack in which F/S May was killed. The aircraft made a safe landing at West Malling. |