The James Fox Collection of Naval Awards

A Great War ‘Dover Patrol’ D.S.M. and ‘Zeebrugge raid’ M.I.D. group of five awarded to Chief Engine Room Artificer W. May, Royal Navy, a Jutland veteran who was later commended for his conduct after a collision between the Phœbe and Miranda in November 1918

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (270362. W. May, C.E.R.A. 2Cl., “Phœbe” Dover Patrol 1918); 1914-15 Star (270362. W. May, E.R.A.1, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (270362 W. May. C.E.R.A.2, R.N.); Royal Navy L.S.& G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (270362. William May, E.R.A.1Cl., H.M.S. Duke of Edinburgh), mounted as worn, very fine (5) £1,400-£1,800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The James Fox Collection of Naval Awards.

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D.S.M. London Gazette 20 September 1918:
‘For services in destroyers of the Dover Patrol between 1 January and 30 June 1918.

M.I.D. London Gazette 23 July 1918:
‘For distinguished services on the night of 22/23 April 1918’ (Raids on Zebrugge and Ostend).

William May was born in Plymouth on 8 December 1879. An engine fitter by occupation, he entered the Royal Navy as an Acting Engine Room Artificer Class 4 on 4 February 1901. He received promotions to E.R.A. 4th Class in May 1903; 3rd Class in November 1904; 2nd Class in November 1908; and 1st Class in November 1913. At the start of the war he was serving aboard the armoured cruiser Duke of Edinburgh, and was with her at the battle of Jutland. Still on the Duke of Edinburgh, he was promoted to Acting Chief Engine Room Artificer 2nd Class in August 1916, but was posted to Vivid II in the following month and thence to the destroyer Phœbe in December 1916, in which he served throughout the remainder of the war. He was Mentioned in Despatches for his services aboard the Phœbe in the raid on Zeebrugge on 22 and 23 April 1918, and awarded the D.S.M. for his services aboard the Phœbe in the Dover Patrol during that year. Late in the war he was commended for his conduct on the occasion of the collision between the Phœbe and the Miranda on 7 November 1918. He was pensioned ashore in 1923.

Sold with copied record of service and other research.