G/2829 Sergeant Arthur B Day, 8th Royal Sussex Regt

Arthur Day appears on the 1901 census of England and Wales as a five year old living at home with his family at South Street, Chailey.  The family comprised Gaius Day (the head of the family, aged 34 and working a s a farm labourer), his wife Ellen Day (also aged 34) and their five children: William Day (aged 12, working as a shop assistant),  Alfred Day (aged nine), Arthur, Edith Day (aged three) and Minnie Day (aged ten months).  Gaius had been born in West Hoathley, Sussex but his wife and their children, were all born in Chailey. 

In October 1914 Chailey Parish Magazine notes that Arthur Day is serving his King and Country and the following October adds the additional information that he is a lance-corporal serving with the 8th Royal Sussex in France.  In November 1916, the magazine notes that he is a full corporal and the following month, that he is a sergeant. 

Arthur appears to have served with the 8th Royal Sussex Regiment (a pioneer battalion), up to September 1918 when his name is mentioned for the last time in the parish magazine roll call in July 1919. As we can see from his medal index card above (courtesy of Ancestry), he was actually discharged on the 19th August 1918. His entry in the silver war badge roll confirms that he enlisted on the 5th September 1914 and was discharged as a result of wounds, aged 23 years and one month.

Arthur’s brother William also served his King and Country during the First World War.