Brothers Dennis Ivor Day and Miles Jeffrey Games Day

Dennis Ivor Day, born in 1893, and his younger brother Miles Jeffrey Games Day, born in 1897, were both natives of St Ives, Huntingdonshire. They were the sons of George Dennis Day, a solicitor, and Margaret Jane Davies, who married in 1889 at Pontypridd, Glamorgan.

Early Life and Census Records

1901 Census

The 1901 Census records the Day family living at Cemetery Road, Rheola, St Ives, Huntingdonshire. George, aged 45, was employed as a Solicitor, while Margaret, aged 40, managed the household. The children present were George L. (10), Dennis Ivor (9), Gwladys M. (6)—all attending school—and Miles G. (4). The household employed four servants: Eliza Allen (27), Caroline Allen (21), Nellie Tabbit (20), and Annie Smith (17).

Second Lieutenant Dennis Ivor Day – Royal Field Artillery

Education and Early Life

 Dennis Ivor Day 

1911 Census

By the 1911 Census, both Dennis and Miles, like many boys of their social class, were away at school. Each is recorded as a Boarder at The Priory, Repton, near Burton-on-Trent, their occupation listed simply as “School.”

De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour records that Dennis studied Mathematics and Mechanical Sciences at Cambridge, passing Part I of the Mathematics Tripos (1912) and completing the Inter-Collegiate Mechanical Sciences examinations in 1913 and 1914.

Rowing and Athletic Achievements

Dennis was a distinguished rower. He competed in the Colquhoun Sculls from 1911, winning the event in 1913. Together with his elder brother George, he won major sculling events including the Lowe Double Sculls (1912), Foster-Fairburn Pairs (1913), and Magdalene Pairs (1914). He rowed bow in the winning University Trial Eight (1912) and made first-class bow for Cambridge in the 1914 Boat Race against Oxford. He was also a talented hurdler, representing his college in Inter-Collegiate Sports.

War Service and Death

At the outbreak of the First World War, Dennis enlisted with the Royal Naval Division, later receiving a commission in the Royal Field Artillery (RFA). He first went to France in spring 1915, returned briefly to England in July, and rejoined the front in August.

Royal Field Artillery at Vermelles, September 1915

In September 1915, the Royal Field Artillery was heavily engaged in the Vermelles sector, supporting preparations for the Battle of Loos. RFA batteries carried out sustained bombardments against German front-line and support trenches, wire entanglements, and strongpoints near the Quarries and Hulluch.

As the assault date approached, artillery fire intensified, including extensive counter-battery engagements under constant threat from retaliatory German shelling and aerial observation. Gun crews often worked in exposed positions only a few hundred yards behind the infantry, enduring heavy shellfire and the collapse of gun pits during prolonged bombardments.

It was in this dangerous phase of pre-battle and early-battle operations that Dennis suffered the wounds which later proved fatal. 

Dennis Ivor Day 
St. Ives Public Cemetery
Credit - findagrave

Cambridge Independent Press

Cambridge Independent Press

Dennis died of his injuries on 7^th October 1915, and his body was returned to St Ives for burial at St. Ives Public Cemetery. Reports of his injuries and funeral appeared in the Cambridge Independent Press in October 1915.

Flight Commander Miles Jeffrey Games Day – Royal Naval Air Service

Education and Early Life

Miles Jeffrey Games Day

1911 Census

Like his brother, Miles appears in the 1911 Census as a boarder at Repton School, his occupation listed simply as “School.”

Training and Aviation Career

Royal Aero Club Aviator’s Certificate

Miles enlisted in the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) in August 1915, rising to the rank of Flight Commander. In October 1915, he earned his Royal Aero Club Aviator’s Certificate, confirming his qualification as a trained military pilot at a time when aviation was still in its infancy and exceptionally dangerous.

Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) – February 1918

By early 1918, the RNAS was deeply involved in coastal patrols, reconnaissance, anti-submarine operations, escort duties, and offensive air operations over the Western Front. The period was one of high attrition: mechanical failures, poor weather, and intense enemy activity caused frequent aircraft losses.

Many RNAS pilots were lost when aircraft disappeared over the sea or behind enemy lines, with no recovery possible. This climate of heavy operational pressure and continuous losses formed the backdrop to Miles’s final flight.

War Service and Death

RAF Officer Service Records

Miles Jeffrey Games Day
Chatham Naval Memorial
Credit - findagrave

On 27^th February 1918, Miles was reported missing, presumed killed while on active service. Like many aviators whose aircraft fell into the sea or over enemy territory, he has no known grave. His name is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, honouring naval personnel lost at sea.