This website is to record the activities of my Grandfather, Gunner Arthur Day, RGA
This is the story of an ordinary man and his war story. He was neither a hero nor a coward. He was caught up in the First World War through no choosing of his own. He was not a military man, nor a particularly educated man. He left no written record and spoke little of his time in the army. He was not killed, but was injured after 2 months on the Western Front, but lived to the age of 70, when he died of bronchitis, focussed on a piece of shrapnel in his lung which he carried to his death.
For you he is one of many unknown Englishmen who served their country. Some wrote poems, huge numbers paid the ultimate sacrifice, and many were decorated. Arthur Day was none of these.
He was however, my grandfather.
For you he is one of many unknown Englishmen who served their country. Some wrote poems, huge numbers paid the ultimate sacrifice, and many were decorated. Arthur Day was none of these.
He was however, my grandfather.
The following is a rough outline of the 2 years or so Arthur Day was directly involved in the Great War
Arthur Day 77743 19Co RGA
DOB March 1890
27.11.15 Enlisted/Attestation
28.11.15 Posted to Army Reserve list
22.1.16 Deferment refused
5.5.16 Mobilised Posted rank of Gunner
9.5.16 Signed up
20.5.16 Next of kin transferred from Annie Howett to Edith Green
27.5.16 Posted to 13 Co
30.9.16 Married Edith Green
7.11.16 Posted to 294 Seige Battery
30.3.16 Embarked on Mona’s Queen, paddle steamer with 16 Howitzers and 1000 men Southampton
31.3.17 294 Seige Battery BEF – Le Havre France rest camp
4.4.17 8.15am Arrailed at Baillieu
5.45pm Attached to 2nd Anzacs at Armentieres
5.4.17 Guns and ammo arrive
8.4.17 Guns ready in Neuve Eglise
15.4.17 First action Continued daily to range of targets almost all in Messines or nearby area
28.5.17 Relatiation fire from Warmeton, 2 guns out of action, Wounded, transferred to Field Hospital Poperinge, WOC List (Wounds,Ostomy and Continence). Moved on to 3 Can Gen Hosp, Boulogne, WOC List,
30.5.17 Date unclear - Evacuated to UK
9.6.17 Transferred to Woking Hospital
8.3.18 RGA badge issued
20.3.18 Discharge effective
28.3.18 Discharge finalised
3.10.18 Kings certificate issued
21.9.21 Medals – British General Victory Medal
DOB March 1890
27.11.15 Enlisted/Attestation
28.11.15 Posted to Army Reserve list
22.1.16 Deferment refused
5.5.16 Mobilised Posted rank of Gunner
9.5.16 Signed up
20.5.16 Next of kin transferred from Annie Howett to Edith Green
27.5.16 Posted to 13 Co
30.9.16 Married Edith Green
7.11.16 Posted to 294 Seige Battery
30.3.16 Embarked on Mona’s Queen, paddle steamer with 16 Howitzers and 1000 men Southampton
31.3.17 294 Seige Battery BEF – Le Havre France rest camp
4.4.17 8.15am Arrailed at Baillieu
5.45pm Attached to 2nd Anzacs at Armentieres
5.4.17 Guns and ammo arrive
8.4.17 Guns ready in Neuve Eglise
15.4.17 First action Continued daily to range of targets almost all in Messines or nearby area
28.5.17 Relatiation fire from Warmeton, 2 guns out of action, Wounded, transferred to Field Hospital Poperinge, WOC List (Wounds,Ostomy and Continence). Moved on to 3 Can Gen Hosp, Boulogne, WOC List,
30.5.17 Date unclear - Evacuated to UK
9.6.17 Transferred to Woking Hospital
8.3.18 RGA badge issued
20.3.18 Discharge effective
28.3.18 Discharge finalised
3.10.18 Kings certificate issued
21.9.21 Medals – British General Victory Medal