Description
East & West Africa Medal, bar Benin 1897, Able Seaman later Chief Petty Officer William Day, HMS St George, Royal Navy.
Officially impressed: “W. Day. A.B., H.M.S. St. George.”
Neat engraved correction to “AY” of surname.
Awarded Naval LSGC 23rd Feb 1917.
Confirmed on the medal roll, which notes his medal was issued to him at HMS Vernon on 14th July 1898.
William Day was born on 21st January 1877 in St Mary, Islington, London.
William was a boy recruit having come direct from the “Training Ship Mercury” listed as his occupation, joining the Royal navy as Boy 2nd Class at HMS St Vincent on 22nd February 1892, he had just turned 15 years old.
Next year he became Boy 1st Class at St Vincent on 13th April 1893, before serving on a few ships before he joined HMS St George as Boy 1st Class on 25th October 1894.
He would spend the next about 3 years on the ship including his involvement in the Benin 1897 operations.
During that time he rose to Ordinary Seaman on 21st January 1895 having become of age, followed by Able Seaman on 30th January 1897.
He left the ship on 9th August 1897.
He rose to Leading Seaman at HMS Vernon on 1st January 1900.
But was reduced to Able Seaman on the Gladiator on 4th April 1901, serving on board from 1st Oct 1900 – 17th March 1902.
However just afterwards whilst at HMS Hibernia from 18th March – 18th March 1903 he returned to Leading Seaman on 1st October 1902.
He then rose to Petty Officer 2nd Class on 1st April 1903 at HMS Duke of Wellington I.
Followed by Petty Officer 1st Class on HMS Thames on 20th March 1904.
He continued on and served through to World War 1.
World War 1 Period service:
HMS Fisgard, 30th May 1914 – 9th August 1915, during this time advanced to Acting Chief Petty Officer.
HMS Blake (Alarm), 20th November 1915 – 17th Dec 1915
HMS Vivid II (Alarm), 18th Dec 1915 – 5th August 1916, promoted Chief Petty Officer on 6th August 1916.
Served on HMS Alarm from Nov 1915 – August 1916.
HMS Dolphin, 6th August 1916 –
HMS Titania, 24th Oct 1916 – 6th Nov 1916
HMS Vernon, 7th nov 1916 – 25th Jan 1917
HMS Dido (Laertes), 26th January 1917 – 7th March 1917, Served on HMS Laertes from 26th Jan 1917 – 3rd Feb 1919
HMS Attentive II (Laertes), 8th March 1917 – 30th June 1917
HMS Hecla (Laertes), 1st July 1917 – 31st August 1917
HMS Apollo (Laertes), 1st Sept 1917 – 31st Dec 1918
HMS Victory X (Laertes), 1st Jan 1919 – 3rd Feb 1919
HMS Victory I, 4th Feb – 31st March 1920, when discharged to shore and pension.
