Pocket Watch in Tin
2023.24
Silver coloured pocket watch with white face, seconds dial. Roman numerals and black hands.
Name/Title
Pocket Watch in TinEntry/Object ID
2023.24Description
An unmarked pocket watch in a tin. The underside of the back closure has the soldier's surname "May" engraved, alongside later markings scratched into the metal. The face shows some hairline fractures to the white coating and the hands are showing signs of pitting.Use
This pocket watch belonged to stretcher bearer, 12813 Private Frederick Peter MAY, MM. Private May was born in Curramulka South Australia on 15 December 1886, the eldest son of Arthur Edward and Mary Ellen May. A farmer from the Yorke Peninsula, Frederick enlisted at the age of 29 on April 6, 1916 in Adelaide, South Australia and posted to the 11th Field Ambulance, AAMC. He embarked for the Western Front on June 6, 1916 and after training in the UK, sailed for France in November that same year. Wounded in action in July 1917, he was hospitalised before returning to the front undettered from doing his duty, endlessly stretchering wounded comrades under heavy gunfire and shelling to bring them to the safety of a field station for treatment. Such bravery was recognised by his commanding officer who recommended him for a Military Medal (MM) and Gazetted on June 27, 1918. It should be noted that this honour was passed some sixth months earlier (24/10/1917), but due to his continuous service in the field, he (and others) were not available until May 1918, to receive their award in the field. "From noon 11th. October, 1917, East of YPRES, this man worked continuously day and night for four days. He carried wounded men from the most Advanced Regimental Aid Post under exceptionally heavy shell fire and very trying conditions (the mud frequently up to his waist). Although almost exhausted by his very heavy work he insisted on carrying on with his duties until all the wounded were clear. The splendid example and dauntless courage of this man nerved his tired comrades to fresh efforts. He showed a complete disregard for his own safety, and after being thrown down by an exploding shell. (sic) struggled on with his patient to a place of safety.” Throughout his service on the Western Front, Frederick carried this pocket watch, a reminder perhaps of the calmer fields of home and his family who were anxiously awaiting his return, once hostilities had ceased. May would spend the entire period of his military service in France, remaining there after the Armistice was signed on November 11 1918, to continue his work with the 11th Field Ambulance until March 25 1919. Upon returning to England, his thoughts returned to farming, and he spent two months working at a farm in Ayrshire, Scotland, before taking pre-embarkation leave in London, sailing for Australia on August 28 1919. Four months later, Private Frederick Peter MAY MM would be discharged on December 19 1919. May married Dorothy Standing on April 12 1927, moving to Lameroo before they suffered heartache in 1931, with the death of their only child, daughter Marilyn Vivieane May, at birth. Tragedy would strike Frederick's life again when Dorothy died in 1941 at the age of 49. Fourteen years later, he would remarry, with his second wife Emma Hutton Smith, outliving him by five years. 12813 Private Frederick Peter MAY, MM, died on May 8 1965 and is buried in the West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, plot: Kendrew Oval, Row 23A, Site Number 4.Category
War Memorabilia, Personal Effects