Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Samuel DAY and Susan nee SIMMONS

Vernon Francis Day was born on January 28, 1889, in the Adelaide suburb of Hindmarsh. Vernon’s parents were Susanne Simmons and Samuel Day. His parents were born in England, and then moved to Australia, though not meeting and getting married until later.

Vernon had six other siblings, all of them older than him. He also had five older stepsiblings, from his father’s side. Vernon’s religion was Methodism. Unfortunately, his father passed away when Vernon was only ten years old, in 1899. His mother passed away in 1907 when Vernon was 18 years old.

Vernon attended Muirden Senior College, for years 11-13. In 1902, Vernon received a scholarship for the School Of Design, as stated in an issue of the Advertiser.

Vernon ended up applying to Adelaide University. In 1904, he passed the primary examinations.

 Vernon worked as a bank clerk before enlisting in the war. He worked with the Savings Bank Of South Australia in 1907 and continued to work at the bank for many more years, even after the war.

The War

1914

Vernon enlisted in the war on  December 8, 1914, in Oaklands, SA. He was only 25 years and 10 months old when he enlisted and his service number was “1328”. At this point, he had no spouse. Vernon listed his elder brother Albert Samuel Day as his next of kin, who was unfortunately killed in action on August 8, 1918, in France.

1915

Vernon’s first unit was the 2nd reinforcement, 10th Infantry Battalion. He embarked on the ship ‘HMAT Clan McGillivray A46’ on February 2, 1915, from Melbourne. This ship travelled across to Egypt, specifically Port Suez. On April 25, Vernon’s unit arrived in Gallipoli Peninsula, at ANZAC Cove.

1916

Throughout the war, Vernon was taken on strength to several different units. On  February 26, 1916, Vernon was taken on strength the 50th Battalion, who were in Serapeum, Egypt at the time. When transferred, he was returned to the rank of Lance Corporal, but soon made his way back up the ranks with another promotion.

 On the first of March 1916, Vernon received an in-field promotion from commanding officer to Staff Sergeant. Almost two weeks later, on  March 13, he was taken on strength to the Australian Records Section, 3rd Echelon.

On the 6 of June 1916, Vernon joined the Australian Records Section of the British Expeditionary Forces

1917

In 1917, Vernon was  promoted to a Class One Warrant Officer on the 15th of September, in France, one of the highest ranks.

1918

On November 12,1918, Vernon was taken on strength from the 3rd Echelon to Administration Headquarters in Rouen, France.

Medals

Vernon was awarded multiple medals for his time in the army. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, in recognition of valuable service in France and Flanders.

He was awarded the 1914/1915 Star, a medal awarded to him for his service in Gallipoli and the British War Medal for his service during WW1. He also received the Victory Medal. The British War Medal and Victory medal were awarded to all those who fought with the Allied Powers to recognise their service and celebrate their victory in the war. 

After The War

Vernon married before he returned to Australia when he was 30 years old. He married Jeanne Henrietta Louise Thiery. Jeanne was a French woman, born in England, whom Vernon met during the war. The two married in Kensington, London, on February 27, 1919. They lived in London at the time, Vernon in Bayswater, and Jeanne in Camberwell.

Vernon was repatriated back to Australia with his wife leaving England on the ‘Bremen,’ on the June 4th. They arrived in Australia on July 22, 1919. He was formally discharged from the Australian Imperial Force on September 21, 1919.

In 1943, Vernon moved from Mount Gambier to Adelaide for work. He was transferred to the Rundle Street branch of the Savings Bank Of South Australia and became the Manager of the branch.

Vernon was very passionate about lawn bowling, becoming a rather good player. He began playing bowls in 1925, earning many trophies. He won three major bowls championship events, as well as winning a singles championship in 1936. Vernon entered the Bowls State Championships three times before he won the competition in February 1945. Vernon was known as ‘Sunshine’ to his friends ( and even newspaper articles) as his initials could stand for ‘very fine day.’

Vernon passed away after living a full life, at 79 years old. He died on December 16, 1968, in Daw Park. He is now buried in Centennial Park, Adelaide.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

www.aif.adfa.edu.au. (n.d.). Details. [online] Available at: https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=75761

‌National Archives of Australia. (1914). Day Vernon Francis : SERN 1328 : POB Hindmarsh SA : POE Oaklands SA : NOK B Day A S. [online] Available at: https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3494340

SCHOOL OF DESIGN SCHOLARSHIPS. (1902). Advertiser. [online] 20 Feb. Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4866024?searchTerm=Vernon%20Francis%20Day

ADELAIDE UNIVERSITY. (1904). Advertiser. [online] 12 Oct. Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5027461?searchTerm=Vernon%20Francis%20Day

‌Talking Sport. (1945). News. [online] 10 Feb. Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/127294804?searchTerm=Vernon%20Francis%20Day

‌State Singles Bowls Championship. (1945). Naracoorte Herald. [online] 6 Feb. Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/147008310?searchTerm=V.F%20Day

www.centennialpark.org. (n.d.). Vernon Francis Day - Centennial Park. [online] Available at: https://www.centennialpark.org/memorial-search-list/vernon-francis-day-34053/

‌www.ancestry.com.au. (n.d.). Sign up. [online] Available at: https://www.ancestry.com.au/discoveryui-content/view/5481024628:62476

‌ www.awm.gov.au. (n.d.). AWM4 23/27/2 - March - April 1915. [online] Available at: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1341851?image=3.

The 1914 -1915 Star. (n.d.). Available at: https://www.defence.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-08/WWI-criteria-1914-15-Star-Australian-transcribed.pdf.