Soldier‘without a scratch’gets married on leave

A popular Stirling soldier twice honoured for bravery at the Front got married while he was home leave.

Company-Sergeant-Major John Day, Royal Scots, had come through most of the major battles of the war up to then.

He was a former Allan’s School boy and son of the late Mr Charles Day, who served with the A&SH and lived in the Craigs and St John Street. Mr Day had worked at Stirling Gas Light Company.

Ten years earlier, CSM Day joined the Royal Scots and was in India for three years. When war broke out he held the rank of sergeant and was stationed with his regiment in Plymouth.

CSM Day’s battalion was amongst the first to land in France and apart from one or two periods of leave, he had been there since.

The Observer said: “Very few have the same record of service but so far he has come through the fighting without a scratch though he has had more than one narrow escape.

“His baptism of fire was received at Mons and in the Battle of Aisne he and his comrades had something of their own back for the sufferings endured during the memorable retreat.

“CSM Day afterwards took part in the two battles of Ypres and later fought on the Somme and Ancre. In September 4, 1915, when he engaged in operations on the Somme, he was awarded the Military Medal and recently, for services on the Ancre, he received the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and was presented with the distinction by Major General Haldane, commanding the 3rd Division.”

While on furlough, he was staying with his sister, Mrs Young, in George Street. CSM Day’s wife was also said to be from Stirling.