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Auction: 22102 - Orders, Decorations and Medals e-Auction VI - e-Auction
Lot: 491

'I spent the whole of last Saturday in Swansea with the Chief Constable and his officers and examined the results of the recent severe air attacks and the police arrangements.

You have already seen the detailed reports of these three attacks on successive nights and I need not, therefore, give you this information again. I do, however, want to bring to your notice the excellent work done by the police both during and after these attacks and more particularly the great gallantry and fine leadership displayed by Mr. May himself. On each of these three nights Mr. May was out and about constantly in the main target area during the height of the attacks inspiring the members of his force and of the Fire and other Services by his fine example of courage and leadership. It is only necessary to go to Swansea to appreciate the force of these attacks on the business centre of the Borough and to hear on all sides praise of Mr. May's personal leadership and example. I gather, too, that his prompt decision to remove from the centre of the Borough large numbers of civilians who were taking shelter in this area undoubtedly saved thousands of lives

It is without any hesitation that I strongly recommend Mr. May for an immediate award of the O.B.E. You will remember that we discussed this matter yesterday and I promised to let you have this recommendation.'

(The account of Colonel G. H. R. Holland, Inspector of Constabulary, refers)

Hazard upon Hazard foiled the expedient work of rescue parties. But, despite road-blocks, bomb craters, heaps of debris, and hundreds of unexploded missiles, they worked with the confidence and alertness imperative in such an emergency.
And it was through this courage and determination, plus the invaluable work of other devoted Civil Defence workers, that deaths and suffering were kept to a minimum.'

(Luftwaffe Over Swansea, refers)

The Superb and Immediate 'Swansea Three-night Blitz' O.B.E., K.P.M. group of Nine awarded to Chief Constable Frank Joseph May, Swansea Police Force, whose resourcefulness and fearless leadership are reckoned to have saved thousands of lives between 19-21 February 1941 during the height of the Swansea Blitz

Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Civil Division, Officer's breast Badge, G.VI.R., silver-gilt and enamel; King's Police Medal for Distinguished Service, G.V.R., 1st Type (Ch. Const. Frank J. May, Swansea Borough Police.); Defence Medal 1939-45; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Coronation 1953; Police Exemplary Service Medal, G.VI.R. (Frank. J. May. Ch. Const.); Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Queen Victoria Silver Medal (F. J. May. 1941); Order of St. John: Serving Brother's Medal, silver and enamel; mounted as worn, minor contact wear overall, very fine (9)

O.B.E. London Gazette 25 April 1941, the citation states:

'Mr. May displayed great gallantry and fine leadership during the heavy air raids on Swansea. He constantly in the main target area during the height of the attacks, inspiring the members of his Force and of the Fire and other Services by his courage and resource. His prompt action in dealing with the shelter arrangements undoubtedly saved thousands of lives.

K.P.M. London Gazette 19 February 1935

Frank Joseph May joined Tynemouth Police Force as a Police Constable in 1917 having been working for them as a clerk from May 1914. Promoted Sergeant on 8 June 1920 he worked in the capacity of Chief Clerk before being further advanced Inspector in 1921. The Police Review and Parade Gossip tells us a little of his role at the time, stating:

'Under the Chief Constable he has made the arrangements for the control of traffic during Royal visits, public processions and demonstrations, strikes, etc. etc.'

Upon his appointment to Chief Constable of Stalybridge in 1927 with the recommendation of the Mayor of Tynemouth noting his 'exceptional ability, intelligence and initiative' he also became head of the Fire Brigade. This was not uncommon at the time although his overall role did not extend to the day to day running of that organisation. May was however responsible for the re-organisation of both Police Force and Fire Brigade and the introduction of the new 'Police Box System'. Promoted Chief Superintendent of the much larger Sheffield Force in May 1929, by request rather than through advertisement as was normal, a role which made him the direct second of the Chief Constable of the City. Again May was responsible for re-organising the force, with the Police Review and Parade Gossip reporting on his efforts:

'He has been responsible for the re-organisation of the Criminal Investigation Department, the selection of personnel, and the adoption of up-to-date methods to meet modern day requirements. In this connection the Mechanical Transport Department has been equipped with a fleet of fast cars, and systems have been instituted with every success to deal with crime where rapid means of transport are used.'

Promoted to Chief Constable of Swansea on 3 March 1931 May was soon to prove himself in the tragic fires of November 1932 at Llewelyn's Warehouse, Tower Lane. As the warehouse was directly opposite the Alexandra Road Police Fire Brigade Station it was they who responded. A plan to encircle the blaze via an alley behind the warehouse ended badly when the wall of the burning building collapsed, trapping three men. It was only by the frantic efforts of their comrades who pulled the red-hot wreckage from them with their bare hands, one suffering severe burns in the process, that they were freed, although two later died of their injuries. May ordered a withdrawal from the building, an order which came none too soon as the roof collapsed soon afterwards. With the final collapse of the warehouse and the deaths of two firemen moral must have been on a knife edge within the Police Fire Brigade. As such May ensured that when the report on the event was read out at the Watch Committee meeting the three firemen responsible for saving their comrades from the collapsed wall were all highly recommended for honours. Over the next few years he also pushed hard for improved equipment and funding as well as better accommodation for the Firemen.

One of these recommendations was accepted in September 1936 and provision was made for the purchase of a new fire engine, based upon a design by the London Fire Brigade. These innovations would take on a new significance with the onset of the Second World War and further moves were made to ensure that they were prepared including recruiting Auxiliary Firefighters and setting up temporary stations. May became eligible for retirement in May 1939 however as he was only 46 and the local council had been empowered to keep him on it was decided that he would remain at his post.

The 'Swansea Blitz' began in earnest on 1 September 1940 with 251 H.E. and 1,000 incendiary bombs being dropped in a single night, killing 33 people and wounding another 36. As the war advanced the raids stepped up with a major raid on 17 January dropping 100 H.E. and between 6,000-7,000 incendiary bombs, killing 55 people and wounding 38. There was general recognition of the efforts of the A.R.P., Police and Fire fighters, both regular and auxiliary in the local newspapers, ensuing that the damage caused was as limited as possible.

The 'Three-night Blitz' began on with a fleet of parachute flares dropped over the city, followed almost immediately with a shower of incendiaries. After these came the High Explosives and soon there were fires were breaking out right across Swansea. Despite the scale of the attack the firefighting teams were able to get ever blaze under control before the following morning, but the damage was done and the cost in human life and damage to infrastructure were tremendous. The city centre was all but wiped out, the water mains and telephone cables had suffered severely as well and over 7,000 people were made homeless. It was reported that 230 people were killed, including 34 children and 409 injured, the worst event came on 20 February when a stick of bombs fell upon Teilo Crecent. This area was already burning and the residents were evacuating their homes as the Firemen and Wardens moved in to control the blaze, when the second round of bombs hit 46 were killed. The scale of the damage is described by Laurie Latchford, an A.R.P. Warden in his diary:

'I went to the hill-top in Southward Lane. A most appalling sight hit me. There were leaping flames over the whole stretch of Swansea, from behind Clyne Hill to the docks entrance.
The fires seem to run to the sea edge and beyond. The gently moving sea was aflame with reflected light.
The Guildhall tower stood as a dark shaft against the burning buildings behind. St. Mary's Church could just be defined, Blazing, with fire pouring from the tower.
It seemed as though the whole of the centre of the town was being devoured even to the Victorian boarding houses by the sea.
Futile had been Swansea's gallant fight of the last two nights. The sky was dark, no searchlights were showing... Three people only were watching, standing shoulder to shoulder, making no movement, silent.
The Post had no news from Control... A dark knot of people now watched... The centre burnt on with an intense pulsating light.
A young airman in a flat voice was itemising burning buildings - St. Mary's Church; Ben Evans, the drapers; the newspaper offices backing the Castle... The 'All Clear' sounded at midnight.'

Despite the depression which had fallen after the bombs stopped dropping there was soon a search for the heroes of the hour. May was firmly among them with Colonel Holland going on to say of him:

'Mr. May displayed great gallantry and was constantly in the main target area during the height of the attacks, inspiring the members of his force and of the fire and other civil defence services by his courageous example. His prompt decision to remove from the centre of the borough large numbers of civilians who were taking shelter there probably saved thousands of lives.
Mr. May is also Chief Officer of the Fire Brigade.

A report by the Regional Commissioner concurred stating:
' We regard Mr. F. J. May as one of the best Chief Constables in the Region who consistently has shown resource and ability to deal with a difficult situation. The commissioner and myself, naturally, visited Swansea immediately after the recent serious Blitz, and found that local efforts to combat its result were performed in good fashion, and that the Chief Constable, without a doubt, was responsible for a good deal of the organisation essential to achieve this end.

In brief, if the Police Division desire to have the observations of the Commissioner on the merits of the case put forward by Holland, there would be no hesitation in endorsing the recommendation now made.'

The 'Three-night Blitz' lasted for 13 hours and 48 minutes of continual bombing in which time it is reckoned that 800 H.E. and 30,000 incendiary bombs were dropped. The Blitz had proven to be an immense challenge to Swansea however it never again faced an attack of that sustained intensity. May continued to serve in his role until August 1941 when the British Fire Service was nationalised, his rank within that institution was then changed to Fire Force Commander with 21 Fire Force. He retired in September 1943, having performed his role admirably in circumstances which he could never have imagined; sold together with copied research including recommendations, extracts from the Police Review and Parade Gossip and the London Gazette, as well as a number of histories relating to policing and fire services in Swansea between 1931-43 and related medal rolls along with an original 1938, German O.S. map of the Swansea area and a special edition of the South Wales Evening Post on the 'Three Nights' Blitz.

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Sold for
£2,100

Starting price
£800