Sidney James Day

Sidney James Day VC (3 July 1891 – 17 July 1959) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to a British or Commonwealth serviceman.

Sidney James Day
Born	3 July 1891 Norwich, Norfolk
Died	17 July 1959 Portsmouth, Hampshire
Buried	Milton Cemetery, Portsmouth
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Rank	Corporal
Unit	Suffolk Regiment
Battles/wars	World War I
Awards	Victoria Cross

While serving as a corporal in the 11th (Service) Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, British Army during the First World War, he was seriously wounded during the Battle of the Somme and invalided back to England, spending several months in hospital. Upon discharge, he returned to duty in Northern France.

On 26 August 1917, east of Hargicourt, France, Day was in command of a bombing section detailed to clear a maze of trenches still held by the enemy; this he did, killing two machine gunners and taking four prisoners. Immediately after he returned to his section, a stick bomb fell into a trench occupied by five men, one badly wounded. The corporal seized the bomb and threw it over the trench where it immediately exploded. He afterwards completed the clearing of the trench and established himself in an advanced position, remaining for 66 hours at his post, which came under intense fire.[1]