THE death notice of an old soldier of the British Empire appeared in the Malvern News a 100 years ago.

"After a brief illlness, as a result of a chill, Lieutenant-General James May, CB, died at the Hydro Establishment, Malvern, on Saturday," the paper reported.

"He had been a resident in Malvern for several years, coming to the town some months after his return from India, where he had served with distinction.

"During the suppression of the Sepoy Mutiny he served with the volunteer cavalry at Lucknow, being present at the action of Chinhut on June 30, 1857, and throughout the defence of the Residency, acting as a subaltern of artillery and, subsequently, as a field engineer."

Lt-Gen May was wounded during the mutiny, but that did not stop him taking part in various actions. He was with Lord Clive's forces in the final capture of Lucknow and was mentioned in dispatches.

The paper continued: "In August 1883, he reached the rank of Colonel and in 1886-87 served with the Burmese Expedition, in command of the 5th Bengal Light Infantry.

"Thus has a brave soldier quietly died in Malvern, with just a few friends near him who held him in great respect. The deceased was interred in the Malvern Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon."