Day, Richard

DAY,

RICHARD

BORN 10 AUGUST 1890

Richard Day was born on 10 August 1890 in Ystalyfera, Glamorgan, son of Richard Day a Colliery Agent, (b 1865 in Yorkshire), and wife Margaret Gettins Day, (b 1867 in Glamorgan). The 1891 census shows them living at Hendre Forgan, Llanguick, Pontardawe, Glamorganshire.

Richard entered the School on 26 September 1899, aged 9. At this time the School recorded that he was the ward of his uncle, Ben Day, a Solicitor at Central Bank Chambers, Leeds. When at School he resided at Thorne Lodge, a boarding house run by JG Holmes on behalf of Bristol Grammar School.

The 1901 census shows that his mother was by this time widowed and living in Ystabyfera, Glamorganshire. Richard left

Fifth Panel the School in July 1904, aged 13.

By 1911 a census shows that Richard was a Law Student, boarding with Herbert Walter Hatcher, Foreman Jobbing Gardener and his family, at 11 Hawthorn Road, Chapel Allerton, Leeds, Yorkshire.

In 1914, Richard, at that time living in Wakefield, joined the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, 4th (Reserve) Battalion. He rose to the position of Major, Acting Lieutenant Colonel, West Riding Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. He was awarded the Military Cross on 1 January 1918. The London Gazette, dated 4 February 1918, announced he had been awarded a first bar to the Military Cross, ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He commanded his battery in the open during an attack. On the enemy opening a very heavy fire on the battery soon after the attack commenced, he calmly walked from gun to gun, encouraging the men, with the result that the battery’s rate of fire was maintained throughout the barrage. His great courage and magnificent example inspired his men during a very severe ordeal.’

Richard died in Belgium, on 23 February 1918, aged 27. His Commonwealth war grave is in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, (Grave Reference VIII H 11).

His next of kin at that time is recorded as Ben Day, The Rookery, Chapel Allerton, Leeds. We do not know what became of his parents.

30

OTC 1914 - Rifles & Bicyles

Fifth Panel 31