Ernest Charles Norman MAY

Ernest Charles Norman MAY

Ernest May (Photograph courtesy of Mrs M. Baxter)

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4851), Ernest Charles Norman May was born at Wongarbon, N.S.W. He gave his age as 23 years, his marital status as single, and his occupation as laborer. His description on his medical was height 5 feet 8 inches tall, weight 145 lbs., with a fair complexion, brown eyes, and brown hair. His religious denomination was Church of England. He was one of the thirteen men who stepped forward and gave his name, ‘either to march under Captain Nicholas, or to come after harvest’, when the Coo-ees recruited in Wongarbon on 14^th October 1915.[1] However, he did not undertake his medical until 24^th of October 1915 at Orange, where he also was attested. A note on the top of his service record said he ‘presented at Orange 24/10/15’. He claimed previous military service as a member of the Wongarbon Rifle Club.

After completing the remainder of the march he went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion.

On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was Wongarbon, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as his father, C. May, Wongarbon, N.S.W.

Private May departed Sydney on the HMAT Star of England on the 8^th of March 1916. He arrived in Egypt on the 11^th of April 1916. On the 16^th of April 1916 he transferred to the 4^th Division Artillery at Telelkebir, and was taken on strength of the 10^th Field Artillery Brigade. On the 23rd of May 1916 he was taken on strength of the 4^th Division Ammunition Column. On the 27^th of May 1916 he was promoted to Bombardier.

On the 6th of June 1916 Bombardier May left Alexandria aboard HMT Oriana, bound for France, arriving at Marseille on the 13^th June 1916.

On the 21st February 1917 Bombardier May transferred to the 1^st Ammunition Sub Park and was reclassified a Private. On the 27^th September 1917 he was reclassified a Driver Motor Transport.

On the 25^th February 1918 Driver May was granted leave to the United Kingdom. He re-joined his unit in France on the 11^th March 1918.

On the 12^th March 1918 Driver May was taken on strength of the 1^st Australian Division Motor Transport Company.

On the 7^th March 1919 he was promoted to Lance Corporal. On the 23^rd March 1919 he was promoted to Corporal. On the 9^th April 1919. Corporal May was granted leave to the United Kingdom. He returned to his unit on the 21^st April 1919. On the 20^th May 1919 Corporal May was transferred to the 2^nd Division Motor Transport Company.

On the 8^th June 1919 Corporal May was admitted to the 20^th Casualty Clearance Station sick with herpes zoster (shingles). On the 15^th June 1919 he was transferred to the 3^rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital. On the 18^th June 1919 Corporal May was granted leave. On the 2^nd July 1919 Corporal May reported to Headquarters Number 2 Group Sutton Veny.

Corporal May returned to Australia aboard the transport Takada, leaving England on the 18^th July 1919, and disembarking at Sydney on the 7^th September 1919. He was discharged on the 25^th November 1919.

[1] ‘The Route March’, The Farmer and Settler, 19 October 1915, p. 3.