Admiral of the Fleet Sir William Henry May – Funeral Service

The Late Admiral of the Fleet Sir William May, Bughtrigg
Last Rites at Christ Church, Duns

Amidst many manifestations of sorrow and deep regret the funeral took place to Christ Church Churchyard, Duns on Friday forenoon when the very esteem in which the late Admiral of the Fleet had been held was evidenced by the very large attendance of mourners present.
The funeral was of a semi-naval character, a detachment of sailors numbering twenty-two under Lieutenant Ward R.N. being present from Rosyth Naval base to act as a Firing Party.

Earlier in the day the coffin containing the earthly remains of the late Admiral had been conveyed by motor to Christ Church, where a service took place at 11:30 a.m.

CHURCH SERVICE.

The church accommodation was taxed to the utmost, and many of the mourners had to remain standing throughout the beautiful service conducted by the Rev. C.T. Beale, Rector of the church.
THe coffin rested in the chancel of the church with many beautiful wreaths. The praise parts were led by the surpliced choir of the church, while Mr M.C. Havard presided at the organ.
The service opened with the singing of the hymn :Let saints on earth in concert sing” after which was repeated Psalm 90. The lesson was taken from the Book of Wisdom chapter iii (a most appropriate passage for one who had followed the calling of a sailor) and Corinthians was next read, after which the hymn “O God our help in ages past” was sung. Prayers followed and the the coffin was borne by estate servants from the church to the grave, while the organists played “Crossing the Bar”

AT THE GRAVESITE.

The sad procession as it left the church for the graveside was watched by a very large crowd of people, who had taken up positions outside the churchyard. Fortunately the weather was fine and the spectacle witnessed inside the churchyard was of a most solemn nature. The firing party had taken up their position on the high bank to the south side of the chancel and just above the burial ground of the Bughtrigg family.
The service at the graveside was taken by Mr Beale and included the recital of Alfred Lord Tennyson’s magnificent poem “Crossing the Bar”, which includes:-

“For tho’ from out our bourne of time and place
The flood may bear me far
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crossed the bar.”

THE NAVY’S TRIBUTE

The coffin having been lowered into the grave and the service concluded the Royal Navy paid its last tributes to one who had so materially assisted to make it Britain’s “sure shield” during the fateful years 1914-18. Three volleys were fired over the grave, after the first, the first part of the “Admiral’s Salute” rang out on the bugle, the bugler sounded the same call after the second, and then after the third, came the perfect rendering of the “Last Post”, with its perfect message of farewell in its last long note. After a pause came the sharp command “Fix Bayonets” and “Present Arms” and the Senior Service had said farewell to the memory of one her most famous sons.
The whole of the part taken by the Navy’s representations was smartly executed, and made a very deep impression on all present.

THE KING’S MESSAGE OF SYMPATHY

From Sandringham, H.M. the King sent the following message to Lady May.

“It is with regret that I have learned of the death of my very old friend Sir William May and I greatly recognise his valuable services both in the Royal Navy and in civil life. I offer you and your sons my heartfelt sympathy in your bereavement”

BOARD OF ADMIRALTY’S MESSAGE

The Board of Admiralty also sent a message to Lady May which was in the following terms. “The Board of Admiralty deeply regret to learn of the death of your distinguished husband and wish to offer you their sincere sympathy in your bereavement”.

CHIEF MOURNERS

The chief mourners were:-

Lady May	widow
Major General Sir Reginald Seaburne May, K.B.E., C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., G.O.C., 49th (West Riding) Division T.A. York and Lady May	Son & Daughter-in-Law
Captain Archibald Seaburne May D.S.O., RN and Mrs May	Son & Daughter-in-Law
Mr William Drake Seaburne May	Grandson
Mr Guy Seaburne May	Grandson
Mr John May	Brother
Mr & Mrs Armfield Marrow	Brother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law
Miss Marrow
Mrs O. Connor
Mrs Bourne May
Mr & Mrs Sale

The Pallbearers were:- The following estate employees

Mr Loan	Head Gardener
Mr Donaldson	Gardener
Mr Patterson	Gardener
Mr Denholm	Chauffeur
Mr Scott	Gameskeeper
Mr Miller	Gameskeeper

H.M. THE KING REPRESENTED.

His Majesty the King was represented at the funeral by:-
Admiral Sir Edwyn Alexander-Sinclair, K.C.B., M.V.O., First and Principal Naval Aide de Camp to the King.

The Board of Admiralty were represented by:-

Second Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Cyril Thomas Fuller, K.C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O.,

Other Naval representatives presented were:-

Admiral of the Fleet Sir Henry Francis Oliver, G.C.B., K.C.M.G., M.V.O., L.L.D.,
Rear Admiral Theodore J. Hallett C.B.E., C.O., of the Coast of Scotland
Vice Admiral C.M. Stanley, C.B.,C.M.G.
VIce Admiral A.G. Hotham, C.B., C.M.G..
Paymaster Rear Admiral A.R. Parker, C.B.
Captain Werdon Wilson

Amongst others present we noticed

Sir George Marjoribanks

Lees

Colonel Oliver

Morebattle

J.L Greig Mr Eccles

Major Balfour

Newton Don

Captain J.G. Collingwood

Cornhill

Colonel C.T. and Mrs Menzies

Kames

General and Mrs Baird

Kelloe

Colonel Home

Bassendean

Mr and Miss Logan Home

Edrom

Major and Mrs Hunter Blair

Broomhouse

The Rev. A.E. and Mrs Swinton

Coldstream

Mr & Mrs R.C. Campbell

Renton, Mordington

Capt. & Mrs J.H.F. McEwen

Marchmont

Mrs Hay

Duns Castle

Miss Ross

St Mary’s Cottage

Sheriff Burn Murdoch

Balabraes

The Earl of Home and Lord Dunglass

The Hirsel

Mr J.H. Currie

Swinton House

General J.F. Erskine

Bonkyl Lodge

Mrs Ross Hume

Ninewells

Capt. Fraser

Oxendean

Colonel Trotter

Charterhall

Colonel Brown

Houndwood

Mrs Smith

Whitchester

Major H.R. Small (Representing Berwick & District 1914-1918 Officers Club)

Major J.K.B. Campbell C.O.

Lieut. J.B.A. Hankey (Adjutant)

The Hon & Master Napier (representing the Depot K.O.S Borderers Berwick)

Colonel Pennyman

Ord Cottage Berwick

Capt. Liddell Grainger

Ayton Castle

Capt. Houston

Mr M.S. Thomson

Lambden

Mr Farquhar Nisbet

Mr R.G. Johnston

Duns (County Clerk)

Mr R.J. Loyal (representing Berwickshire Miniature Rifle Association)

Mr C.J. Moir (representing the Hon. Lady Miller)

Depute Chief Constable John George

Duns

The Rev. W. Morrice

Leitholm

Mr R Wood (Director of Education)

Duns

The Rev. Dr. Cairns

Duns

Mr Provost Carmichael

Coldstream

Mr S. Forrest

Middlefield

Mr J.D. Smith

Peelwalls

Mr T.F. Walton

Duns

Mrs Beale

Duns

Dr. McWhan

Duns

Mr G.A. Russell

The Crooks

Mrs Elliott

Clifton Park

Mrs Askew Robertson & Mr Jock Askew Robertson

Ladykirk

Mr W Elliott

Harehead

Mr T. Stephenson

Chapel

Mr John Baoillie

Duns

Mr James Millar

Duns

Mr T.A. Gouriay

Chirnside

Mr Walter Smith (representing the Coldstream Branch of the British Legion of which Sir William was president)

Coldstream

Mr Thomas More

Duns

Mr J W. Seggar

Coldstream

Mr C Clements

Duns Castle

Mr John Duns

Duns

Mr John Kirkpatrick

Duns

Mr W. Gibson

Whitsome

Mr Thomas Meikle

Coldstream

Mr G.W.B. Aecher

Duns

Mr R. Dickson & Mr J Dickson

Castlelaw

Mr A. Logan & Mr J Logan

Castlelaw

Mr Hardie

Schoolhouse Leitholm

Miss Blackadder

Leitholm

Miss Hiison

Leitholm

Mr George Jeffrie

Leitholm

Mr William Mills

Leitholm

Mr H White

Leitholm

Mr A Gillie

Leitholm

Mr & Miss Miller

Chatto

Mr E Chambers (late Petty Officer R.N. and Sir William’s steward on H.M.S. Dreadnought.)

Berwick

Mrs Johnston

Indoor staff at Bughtrigg

Miss Walker

Indoor staff at Bughtrigg

Miss Burgon

Indoor staff at Bughtrigg

Miss Russell

Indoor staff at Bughtrigg

The entire funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr W.C. McLaren, undertaker, Duns.

WREATHS

Amoung the very many beautiful were the floral tributes were the following:-

Captain & Mrs Mcewen – Marchmont

In remembrance of our long and happy life, from your ever devoted and much sorrowing

Kin

In proud and devoted memory of a most generous and devoted father

Reggie and Daisy

In remembrance of the best of fathers

Archie and Mary

In loving memory

Bill, Guy and Bob

Dearest Uncle Willie “Nunquam Obliviscar” (I will never forget) from

Alison & Peter Mr Seaburne May – Southernhay, Ottery St Mary

With deepest sympathy

Hilda May

In Loving memory, from

John W.F. May, Johnnie & Nancy Ivybridge South Devon

In most loving remembrance and deep sorrow

James & Alexander Bourne May – Clewer Green, Windsor Mrs Bourne May – 9 Sloane Court

With love and deepest sympathy

John Kinbarro & Mrs F.J. Morse

With deepest sympathy

Miss Ramay – Stainrigg

With love and deepest sympathy

Eileen & Alec., Lieut-Col A.C. Allan, Royal Signals

In affectionate remembrance

Paymaster Rear Admiral & Mrs A.C. Ramsay Parker & Mr Philip Parker R.N.

In Grateful remembrance & the respectful sympathy of the

Chairman and Committee of the Royal Naval Benevolent Society

With deepest sympathy

Mr W. Soltan Davidson,- Leuchie North Berwick

With loving memories

Molly From Colonel & lady Edith Trotter

With love from

petunia

In affectionate remembrance from

Brig.-General & Mrs Erskine

With deepest sympathy

Coldstream Branch of British legion

With deepest sympathy

Major & Mrs Frederick Drake

With deepest sympathy

Sue and Daphne – Bayford House Hereford

From the Officers

THe Depot King’s Own Scottish Borderers

With deepest sympathy

Clare & Brooke

In loving memory from

Celia, Eric & John

Life’s work well done, now comes rest: In affectionate remembrance

Major & Mrs Logan Home & Misses Logan Home – Edrom

In loving memory from

Marjorie, Bobby & Mary

With deepest sympathy

Colonel & Mrs Collingwood – Lilburn Tower

In respectful remembrance of a very gallant soul

Archdeacon & Mrs Sale – Crimble Cottage, Rochdale. Lancs

In loving memory of 35 years sincere friendship with a revered chief and great Admiral

Surgeon Vice-Admiral Air Robert Hill – 8 Whitehall Court Army & Navy Club

From the Officers

The Hon. Master of Napier & Mrs Napier – Loanend House Berwick

With deepest sympathy

Mr Granville Farquhar – Nisbet Duns

With great sympathy & personal regards from

The Rev. & Mrs C.T. Beale – The Rectory Duns

To our old and great friend

Cyril & Edith Trotter

A tribute or esteem from the Navy Council

Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Graves Saule & Lily Graves Saule

With deepest sympathy

Nancy, Janet & Dulcie Wedderburn

Respectful sympathy from

Mr & Mrs Chalmers

In affectionate remembrance & our heartfelt sympathy

Mrs Edward Baird & Brig-General Baird

With deepest sympathy

Mrs & Mr W.H. Askew Robertson

With kind remembrance from

Captain & Mrs D.M. Anderson (late 8th Hussars)

To the honoured memory of Admiral of the Fleet Sir William Henry May G.C.B., G.C.V.O., with sincere sympathy of the

Lords Commissioner of the Admiralty Mrs Hay – Duns Castle Lord & Lady Home George & Victoria Bowerhouse

With love

Mrs Andrew Smith – Whitchester

With deepest sympathy: In remembrance of an old and valued friend

Evelyn Miller

A token of friendship and sorrow, with heartfelt sympathy from

Mr & Mrs Bell Irvine – Makerstoun

In memory of a long and much valued friendship from

Mrs Hunter – Antonshill

With remembrance from the

Staff, past and present of Bughtrigg

With deepest sympathy

Mr & Mrs Ralph Fairbairn – Coldstream

In affectionate remembrance

Edward & Edith, Vera & Kinbarro – 13 The Boltons SW The staff 20 St George’s Place York

With deepest sympathy: In grateful affectionate remembrance from

The Boy Scouts of Berwickshire Mr M. & Mrs W Smith – Langrig From the Pupils & Teachers of Leitholm School From Major and Mrs Reginald Hunter Blair

With deepest sympathy

Mrs Alston & Miss Sheila Stephen – 23 Chesham St London

With deepest sympathy

Jean & Tom Morgan Grenville Gavin Gladys & Geoffrey C. Gibson

In affectionate remembrance of the Admiral A tribute of esteem & regard from the

Army Council,

With deepest sympathy

Sir Trevor and Lady Dawson

With deepest sympathy

Colonel & Mrs Davie – Cumledge

With sympathy and affectionate remembrance

Lady Levison, Miss Mary & Miss Pamela Levison

 

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