Henry Reeves DAY DFM

DAY, Henry Reeves

Service Numbers: S31649, 437093
Enlisted: 30 September 1941
Last Rank: Flying Officer
Last Unit: No. 462 Squadron (RAAF)
Born: Gawler, SA, 30 June 1921
Home Town: Wasleys, Light, South Australia
Schooling: Reeves Plains, Gawler High School, Roseworthy College
Occupation: Not yet discovered
Memorials: Freeling WW2 Memorial, Gawler Council WW2 Honour Roll
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World War 2 Service

30 Sep 1941: Involvement Sergeant, S31649
30 Sep 1941: Enlisted Sergeant, S31649, Roseworthy, SA
30 Sep 1941: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Sergeant, S31649
28 Oct 1942: Discharged
29 Oct 1942: Involvement Flying Officer, 437093
29 Oct 1942: Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 437093
29 Oct 1942: Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 437093, No. 462 Squadron (RAAF), Adelaide, SA
21 Jan 1946: Discharged
Date unknown: Honoured Distinguished Flying Medal

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Biography contributed by Faithe Jones

D.F.M. For Airman From Wasleys
Flight-Sgt. Henry Day has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal, according to advice received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Elliot Day, of Reeves Plains, near Wasleys. Although the citation has not yet been received, it is presumed that Flight-Sgt. Day received the award for his part after the pilot of the Halifax bomber in which he was navigator had been partially blinded and knocked unconscious over Duisburg. Germany, in October. The pilot Flight-Set. Cockerill, of Casino, New South Wales, recovered in time to pull the Halifax out of a dive, and then refused morphia because he felt that he alone was able to land the crew safely Day offered to try to land the plane, but Cockerill refused to leave his seat, and piloted the plane home through packs of enemy fighters. Day provided the instructions, which were relayed by another member of the crew, who sat beside Cockerill.
The pilot was later awarded the Distinguished Service Order, the first to be won by an Australian bomber squadron in England. Flight-Sgt. Day, who is 23. was educated at Reeves Plains. Gawler High School, and Roseworthy, where he won his diploma and the
Gramp-Hardy-Smith Memorial Prize. He first enlisted in the light horse, later joining the Royal Australian Air Force. He left Australia just over two years ago.

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