Private (Tailor) George Mays
147351 Royal Defence Corps
Royal Flying Corps
Royal Air Force Balloon Training Depot
George Mays was born in 1876 in Alfreton, Derbyshire son of George Mays from Huntingdonshire and his wife Ellen (nee Chadburn) born Kirkby-in-Ashfield. In 1891, George, aged 15, is an apprentice tailor to ‘Walter Topham - Tailor & Clothier’ of Somercotes, Derbyshire. He married Mary Gill, born Bagthorpe, Notts in 1897 and by 1901 they were living at South Street, Riddings with their son Redvers Mays. A daughter named Frances Lily followed in 1902 and a son Bernard in 1908. A further child had also been born who had not survived. In 1911 George and Mary were living at Middlebrook, Bagthorpe, Jacksdale and George is employed as a tailor, cutter.
By 1918/1919 George and family had moved to ‘The Gables’ on Wagstaff Lane, Jacksdale as he is listed as absent from that address, serving with the RAF. His RAF records indicate that he enlisted 23rd February 1918 and was then transferred to the RFC on 27th March 1918, before automatically becoming part of the RAF on formation 1st April 1918 and it would appear that George was eligible for both the British War and Victory Medals.
George died in March 1930 and his wife died in November 1950 and they are both buried at St. Mary’s, Westwood. The family home was 11a, Wagstaff Lane, Jacksdale.