Thomas (Edward James) MAY of the Merchant Marine. Rumours/hearsay/folklore 2

Hi all,

I am wondering if someone with access to the British Newspaper Archives had a couple of minutes to spare to see if they could turn up a newspaper article reportedly printed about my grandfather, Thomas (Edward James) May of the merchant marine.

He was a mate on the Severn Leigh in early February 1940 which was part of a convoy to Norwegian waters. The Severn Leigh is listed in the convoy database as being "put back" due to a collision.

The family story ... I'm afraid I don't think I remember all the details right, but he was or had been in the bridge and maybe had stepped away to get a cup of cocoa, and that saved his life. And I think he may possibly have stepped from one ship to the other along with his cocoa?

Anyway, supposedly a newspaper (maybe from Bristol?) reported something like "Sailor saved by cup of cocoa". I know members of my family would be thrilled if we could turn this up.

 

Thomas May was the First Officer on the Alecto that sank after a collision in fog on 2nd May 1937, 16 miles off the Belgian coast
https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?30999


The Western Daily Press & Bristol Mirror 3rd May 1937

 

I don't think I knew about that!! Thank you SO MUCH, Guy!!

Only four saved...

 

Aberdeen Press and Journal 3rd May 1937

 

Thanks Guy - I think the first article had the same quote.

If the bit about a cup of cocoa is true it may have been left out as rather trivial.

 

Triumphs and Tragedies

Havent read anything about a cup of coca in the section of this book on the sinking

TD

 

It says there that he broke both his legs!

Thank you very much, TD.

 

P.S. how on earth did you know to look there? Was it just via google? (I guess, without the correct ship name, I wouldn't have found it)

 

Sorry - as with magicians - I'm not allowed to divulge details otherwise I will be thrown out of the club

TD

 

My mother was a bit confused by how I came by the information (thinking I had dug it up myself) but she did say:

"How many times have I heard this story of my Dad and never dreamed I would read an eye-witness account. Thank you!"

(My mum, Jennifer, was born in 1940, 3 years later)

 

My Dad - who is building a remote-controlled model of the Alecto - is wondering whether anyone could look to find the original of this article from an Aberdeen newspaper and whether there is any more text to it.



Hang on, that is the article which Guy posted!

 

Can you read this? I downloaded the newspaper broadsheet from Guy Hudson's post above and enlarged it 250%, then cut out the specific article.