A Canadian pilot who made the first transatlantic rescue in 1932, flying through treacherous weather to deliver medicine to a stranded pilot in Alaska.
Wop May, a Canadian flying ace, was the final Allied pilot to be pursued by the infamous Manfred von Richthofen, before the German ace was shot down on the Western Front in 1918. After the war, May returned to Canada, pioneering the role of a bush pilot while working for Canadian Airways in Northern Alberta and the Northwest Territories.
May was born on March 20, 1896, in Carberry, Manitoba, to a family of carriage makers. His family moved to Edmonton in 1902, where he attended the Edmonton High School (now Victoria School of Performing and Visual Arts). It was during this time that his two-year-old cousin, Mary Lumsden, could not pronounce Wilfrid, calling him "Woppie" instead, which eventually became his nickname "Wop".
In February 1916, May joined the Canadian Army during the First World War. He rose through the enlisted ranks to sergeant and spent most of 1916 as a gunnery instructor in Canada. In 1917, his battalion, the 202nd battalion C.E.F. Edmonton Sportsmen, was shipped to England, where he and his friend Ray Ross applied to join the Royal Flying Corps.
May's first flight resulted in the accidental destruction of his own and another aircraft. Nevertheless, the RFC accepted his application, and May resigned from the Canadian Army. After initial training in London in October, he was moved to a fighter training squadron and graduated in February 1918.
On April 9, 1918, Lieutenant May was transferred to No. 209 Squadron of the newly created Royal Air Force. The squadron was commanded by another Canadian, May's former school friend Roy Brown, who had never lost a subordinate pilot. May spent a few days getting used to his Sopwith Camel and was sent to France.
May fought his first aerial combat on April 20, 1918. During his time in the war, he engaged in several dogfights, earning him a reputation as a skilled and daring pilot. One of his most notable encounters was with Manfred von Richthofen, the legendary Red Baron, on April 21, 1918.
After the war, May returned to Canada and pioneered the role of a bush pilot while working for Canadian Airways in Northern Alberta and the Northwest Territories. He flew cargo and passengers to remote areas, often in harsh weather conditions, earning him the nickname "Bush Pilot Extraordinaire".
In 1929, May helped to establish the first airmail service in the Northwest Territories, flying mail and supplies to isolated communities. He continued to fly until his retirement in 1946.
May married Violet May in 1919, and they had two children together. He passed away on June 21, 1952, at the age of 56.
Wop May's legacy extends beyond his impressive military career. He played a crucial role in the development of aviation in Canada, paving the way for modern bush pilots and air transportation services. His bravery, skill, and pioneering spirit have inspired generations of pilots and adventurers.
Wop May's remarkable life and career serve as a testament to his courage, skill, and pioneering spirit. He will always be remembered as a true Canadian hero and a legend in the world of aviation.
42 Years Old
An American actor known for his breakout role as Jamal Wallace in the 2000 film "Finding Forrester" and appearances in TV shows like "Blindspot" and "How to Get Away with Murder".
