IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 0064 MAA
Held at: National Maritime Museum
Title: May, Commander William Edward (b 1899)
Date(s): [1912-1953]
Level of description: Collection
Extent:
Name of creator(s): May | William Edward | b 1899 | Commander
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
Commander W E May was a leading authority on the history and use of the compass. He was a founder member of the Royal Institute of Navigation and one of its first fellows. He joined the Royal Navy in 1912, being second in command of one of the gun turrets of HMS TEMERAIRE at the battle of Jutland. In 1923, he qualified as a navigating officer. He left the active list of the Royal Navy in 1927 and thereafter was engaged in various duties concerning compasses. During the latter part of World War Two he was responsible for all repairs to gyrocompasses throughout the Royal Navy. In 1951 Commander May was appointed Deputy Director of the National Maritime Museum and held the post until his retirement in 1968.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Papers of Commander W E May. The collection includes research notes articles and pamphlets on many subjects including compasses, navigation, uniform, naval brigades etc. Of interest are his service certificates and career record between 1912-1953, including his training at Dartmouth and Osborne colleges (MAA/77).
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
Conditions governing access:
Please contact the Archive for further information.
Conditions governing reproduction:
Please contact the Archive for further information.
Finding aids:
Detailed catalogue online at the: National Maritime Museum website .
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
The papers were presented 7th September 1981 by Commander W E May.
ALLIED MATERIALS
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Archivist's note: Edited by Sarah Drewery, Sep 2011.
Date(s) of descriptions: 2010-08-26