Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Sergeant E. Day, 2nd and 6th Battalions, Border Regiment, who died on 28 August 1918 from wounds received on the Piave Front - he had earlier been severely wounded during the First Battle of Ypres and also at Gallipoli, for which latter campaign he was also Mentioned in Despatches

1914 Star, with copy clasp (8210 L. Cpl. E. Day. 2/Bord: R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (8210 Pte. E. Day. Bord. R.); Memorial Plaque (Edward Day) in card envelope, with Buckingham Palace enclosure; Memorial Scroll, ‘L/Cpl. Edward Day Border Regt.’, in OHMS transmission tube addressed to, ‘Mrs T. Day, 235 Parkes Street, Byker, Newcastle-on-Tyne’, nearly extremely fine (5) £300-£400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Barry Hobbs Collection of Great War Medals.

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M.I.D. London Gazette 28 January 1916.

Edward Day was born in 1887 at Byker, Northumberland and was a brass moulder by trade. He attested for the Border Regiment at Leicester on 23 January 1906. Posted to the 1st Battalion, he served in Gibraltar August 1906 to October 1908 and afterwards in Rangoon and Maymyo, Upper Burma until December 1912, at which time he was brought home and transferred to the Reserve on the expiration of his Army Service. Following the outbreak of the Great War he was mobilised from the Reserve on 8 August 1914 and appointed Lance Corporal, his former rank, in the 2nd Battalion, Border Regiment and served with them on the Western Front from 5 October.

Day suffered a gun shot wound to the head during the First Battle of Ypres and was admitted to No. 3 Casualty Clearing Station on 4 November from where he was invalided back to England. Day’s wounds were without doubt sustained in the heavy fighting on 2 November at Veldhoek. On this day, the Germans launched a major attack and were driven back with great casualties, the 2nd Border Regiment having held their fire until the last moment. Another attack on the right later in the day was similarly repulsed with heavy loss to the enemy. The battalion were relieved that night.

News of the Border Regiment’s stubborn defence prompted the G.O.C., 7th Division, Major-General T. Capper to send the following effusive commendation to the Battalion via the Brigade Commander:
‘2nd Battalion Border Regiment. This Battalion held a portion of the Kruiseecke position in front of Ypres during which it was exposed to particularly heavy shell fire for 3 days and nights. Many of the trenches were blown in, but no trench was given up by any portion of this battalion. On 2nd November this Battalion formed the right of the Brigade at Veldhoek. Owing to troops on the right giving way the enemy was able to occupy some woods and so surround the right of the Border Regiment. Nevertheless the Battalion held its line for some hours until the enemy could be driven from these woods by relieving troops. During the fighting this Battalion lost very heavily. The devoted and firm conduct of this Battalion repeatedly calls forth the admiration of the Brigadier and of officers in other battalions in the same brigade; and I myself, can testify to its fortitude and determination to maintain its position at all costs; a spirit which saved a difficult and critical situation. It is impossible to praise this Battalion too highly for its firmness and battle discipline.’

Day was promoted Sergeant in March 1915 and, upon recuperation, posted to the 6th Battalion. He served with C Company in Gallipoli from 1 July 1915 where he suffered a bullet wound to his right side and was admitted to 149th Field Ambulance on 22 August 1915 before being transferred via trawler to a Hospital Ship, dangerously ill. Returning to England on 11 November 1915, he was hospitalised for seven months before returning to light duty. For his services in Gallipoli he was Mentioned in General Hamilton’s despatch of 11 December 1915.

Arrested by the Civil Powers for a misdemeanour, he was sentenced to jail with 15 months hard labour in May 1917, the sentence being later partially remitted. Day was, however, reduced to the ranks. Posted to rejoin the 2nd Battalion with the British Expeditionary Force in Italy on 10 February 1918, he was wounded in action at the Piave River and admitted to hospital on 9 August 1918 with multiple gun shot wounds and a fractured skull, dying of his wounds on 28 August 1918. He was the son of Alan and Elizabeth Day and the husband of Thomasina Day of 235 Parker Street, Byker, Newcastle-on-Tyne and is buried in Bordighera British Cemetery, Italy.

Sold together with the recipient’s M.I.D. certificate, dated 11 December 1915; the recipient’s ‘Soldiers’ Small Book’ and Army Form 45B sent to the recipient’s widow, regarding personal effects.