MAY , EDWARD OSBORNE
Regimental number: 74220
“It was all luck that I escaped with my life, as most of my pals were killed outright and some of them buried alive…” Osborne May, France 18 Oct. ca 1915
The following letter written by O. B. May, Oct. 18th while in the St. John Ambulance Hospital, France, were recently received by J. B. Fleming.
Dear Bro. Bert;
Your letter was received with great joy today, it being the first letter I received since I was woulded on Oct. 8th. I was only in 18 days when I got mine and I sure had a narrow escape and a wonderful experience.
It was just after dusk 17:15 and a dirty night it was too, rain and sleet, I was on a listening post a few yards from the German line, when all of a sudden there was a terrific explosion, the Germans had sapped under our trenches and set off a mine. I was thrown several feet in the air and I struck my back on a sand bag coming down. A shrapnel shell whizzed by my forehead but only tore the flesh a little. I was so excited I picked myself up and looked over the trench and could see some Huns coming. Luckily I had six rounds in my “old pal” and I let them have it rapid. Just then Segt. Neil came up ________ wounded May”, and ______ to a dug out, where the first aid boys fixed me up and next morning I found myself in the hospital. It was all luck that I escaped with my life, as most of my pals were killed outright and some of them buried alive. The concussion was so terrific that it fairly shook the ground and uprooted some trees nearby.
It was some experience and I shall never forget it. I am getting along fine and will soon be back in the trenches again.
We are not allowed to send any souvenirs from here but I will chance sending you a piece of my khaki tunic which I got torn in the barb wire entanglements.
I saw where Bob Marrow was buried, he got his poor fellow. Well Bert, nuf sed about the war, lets all hope it it will soon be over.
I am glad you are getting steady work. How is old Buff and Jack? I have already written to them from here. I hear from Bill quite often. When you go to Wpg. remember me to all the folks at 140. Take good care of yourself and write often.
Your old pal and Bro.
O. B.
Contributor: Brenda, Manitoba Canada. These were printed in the Rainy River Record ( may have been called The Gazette at that time) in Ontario. When the columns were clipped out the date of publication was not included with them. Some parts of the letters are missing or the mice have been at parts of them, but I found them interesting non-the-less.
*Letter 1: 18 Oct. probably 1915 from Hospital in France to his brother Bert in Rainy River Ontario
*Letter 2: Oct. 1915 from Hospital in France to his brother Joe Thomas May
*Letter 3: 29 Nov. 1915 from Hospital in Bromley England to his brother Joe Thomas May