Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry

A Great War ‘Festubert and Givenchy 1915’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Private P. F. W. May, 2nd King Edward’s Horse, attached Canadian Mounted Brigade, who was discharged due to wounds in December 1915 Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (1186 Pte. P. F. W. May. 2/K. Edw: H.); 1914-15 Star (1186 Pte. P. F. W. May. K. Edw. H.); British War and Victory Medals (1186 Pte. P. F. W. May. K. Edw. H.) very fine (4) £1,200-£1,600 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 14 January 1916; citation published 11 March 1916: Private P. F. W. May, late 2nd King Edward’s Horse (attached Canadian Mounted Brigade). ‘For consistent good work, notably when rendering first aid to wounded under fire.’ Stated by an unnamed source to have been for work at Festubert 15th to 25th May 1915, and at Givenchy on 15th June 1915. M.I.D. London Gazette 27 January 1916. Percival Frederick William May was born at Reading, Berkshire, on 11 April 1888. He enlisted into 2nd King Edward’s Horse on 17 November 1914, and served in France from 4 May 1915, where he and his regiment were attached to the Canadian Cavalry Brigade under the command of Brigadier-General J. E. B. Seely. This brigade arrived in France as a dismounted unit known as Seely’s Detachment, during the battle of Festubert and then served in the trenches during the battle of Givenchy. The brigade was composed of Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, Royal Canadian Dragoons, Lord Strathcona’s Horse, and 2nd King Edward’s Horse. It became the Canadian Cavalry Brigade on 22 July 1915, and was restored to Horses on the formation of The Canadian Corps in September 1915. Seely’s Force was formed on 3 October 1915, and was composed of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade and the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles Brigade. Seely’s Force, which disbanded on 9 October 1915, re-formed on 22 November 1915, as a composite of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade, 1st and 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles Brigades, and ceased to exist on 10 December 1915. Private May was discharged due to wounds at Canterbury on 22 December 1915, and is entitled to the Silver War Badge. He died at Colchester, Essex, on 19 February 1872, aged 83. Sold with copied gazette entries, Medal Index Card, and other copied research.