Day, William “Hap”

Service Highlights

  • Born June 6, 1913 in Middlesex County, England.
  • Enlisted in the Canadian Army on March 9, 1939.
  • Trained in artillery at Kingston and Petawawa, Ontario, and later in England.
  • Qualified as a signaller with the artillery.
  • Served with the 12th Field Battery, 7th Canadian Medium Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery.
  • Served in England, France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany during the Second World War.
  • Discharged September 8, 1945.
  • Awarded the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp.
  • Awarded the 1939–45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, and War Medal 1939–45.
  • Postwar, he and his wife Fern farmed in Lakeside and operated Day Bus Lines
  • Member of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 236, St. Marys, for 65 years.
  • Died May 28, 2010.
  • Commemorated through the St. Marys Legion Veterans Banner Program.

A Life and Service Remembered

William “Hap” Day was born in Middlesex County, England, in 1913. By the late 1930s he had made Canada his home, and in March 1939, as tensions in Europe were rising toward war, he enlisted in the Canadian Army.

Day trained as an artilleryman in Kingston and Petawawa before continuing training in England. He qualified as a signaller, a role responsible for maintaining communication between artillery units and the troops they supported in the field. Serving with the 12th Field Battery of the 7th Canadian Medium Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, he took part in the long campaign that carried Canadian forces across Western Europe.

During the war he served in England and later on the continent in France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany as Allied forces pushed toward victory in 1945. His service earned several campaign medals recognizing the years spent overseas and the liberation of Western Europe.

After returning to Canada following his discharge in September 1945, Day settled in the St. Marys area. Together with his wife Fern, he farmed in Lakeside and later operated Day Bus Lines for many years, becoming well known in the local community.

At this time, his service records are not publicly available, so the exact details of his wartime movements have not yet been confirmed.

William “Hap” Day remained closely connected to the veteran community and was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 236 in St. Marys for 65 years. He passed away on May 28, 2010, leaving behind a legacy of service both overseas and within his community.

Major Battles and Operations

  • Service with the Royal Canadian Artillery in the United Kingdom
  • Service in the Northwest Europe campaign
  • Allied operations across France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany

Learn More

Royal Canadian Legion Military Service Recognition Book, V III
https://on.legion.ca/remembrance/military-service-recognition-book/msrb/