Gunner Robert Day

Robert Day enlisted the Royal Garrison Artillery, service number 94461, on 3rd December 1915. Born in 1886, the son of John and Sarah Amelia Day, he was a farm labourer and lived in Navvies Row, Kibworth Harcourt, with his wife, Lily Gertrude (nee Robinson), and their children, John Robert, James William, Charles, and Winifred Ellen.

On 10th July 1916 he was transferred to 170th Siege Battery and embarked Southampton 15th September arrived Le Havre 16th September 1916. He was wounded in action and admitted to hospital on 9th April 1917. Whilst in hospital he was transferred to 214th Siege Battery on 10th May 1917 prior to being granted home leave from 30th June to 9th July 1917. Day returned to France but was again admitted to the hospital on 13th July as a result of a gas attack. Two days later he was discharged from hospital. Immediately into battle he suffered further injuries and died from wounds on 28th July 1917.

Day’s widow wrote to the MOD stating that she had heard that her husband was living as a POW in Germany and suffering from loss of memory. After investigation, on 22nd April 1919, the War Office wrote to Lily Day confirming that her husband had been killed on 28th July 1917. Lily and her children moved to Park Farm, Langtoft Fen, Peterborough, her parents’ home.

Day was awarded the British War and Victory medals, and his widow was granted a pension of £1. 8s. 9d (£1.64p) per week on 2nd February 1918.

Gunner Day is buried at Mendinghem Military Cemetery, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium, plot reference II. F. 64.