FREDERICK WILLIAM DAY / WW1

FREDERICK WILLIAM DAY

Fred in the doorway of his shop in Castle St

It’s very easy to forget that the dead were once alive like us and more than just a Gravestone or Memorial. We collate the deceased by name, rank and Military number, how they died, decorations won, where they are buried and whether they died was in a conflict or battle of note. Too many of the ordinary just died and are forgotten. They didn’t do anything of note or history making. They lived their ordinary lives and passed by. They didn’t lead charges or attack machine-gun nests. They just turned up for a battle and were amongst the many casualties, mourned only by their families and friends and relegated to a forgotten and unknown photo in a family album or a charity shop frame.

Fred with Oscar Hennessy (?) holding puppy, Mary Agnes Doran seated and her father retired R.S.M. Michael Doran, now club steward at North Tipperary Club, standing in the Club doorway

Marriage Registration for Frederick Day & Kate Russell 12/11/1878

Frederick William Day

Fred's services Bassetts Directory 1889

Fred's deposition Waterford Star 15/01/1916

R.A.M.C. (Royal Army Medical Corps)

Leinster Reporter 06/01/1917

One languorous and bucolic Summers morning, a photographer set up at the Post Office steps and recorded the Day family and friends, across the road outside their shop in 51 Castle St, Nenagh. Wicker Armchairs and Deckchairs provide the studio setting for what could otherwise have been a bland and nondescript photo. All the participants are intent on the actions of the photographer and are here recorded for posterity.

Frederick William Day (I believe he’s standing in the doorway on the left) was born in Berkhamstead, in Hertfordshire in 1857 to Draper George Day and his wife Esther Potts. Somehow Fred found his way to Ireland and on 12/11/1878 Fred married Kate Russell in the Church of the Holy Trinity in Cork. His occupation was given as a Pharmacist. He married his second wife Matilda Langley, in Dromcliffe Church of Ireland, Co Clare, in 1887. But Fred was more than just a Druggist. He was also a Commissioner for oaths. He was a founding member of Nenagh Cricket Club and played occasionally with Nenagh Institute C.C. Fred also founded a Nenagh Book lending library with rates based on how many books were borrowed.

With the onset of WW1 , Fred was determined to "do his bit". He joined the Royal Army Medical Corps. He was marked as fit for Home Service only. His previous life as a druggist meant he was suited as a medical Dispenser for ill or sickly soldiers. In one case he was called on to give evidence regarding the death of one of his charges after the administration of Bizmuth for an upset stomach. No blame was attached to Fred.

Perhaps Fred knew himself that he was ill and seized on the opportunity to be away from his family during his illness. In any case Frederick died 24/12/1916 in Waterford Military Hospital of Carcinoma of the liver. His body was returned to Nenagh by Rail and moved to St Mary’s C.O.I. draped in a Union Jack. Fred had been a popular man. All available troops were rounded up to make sure Fred had the fitting Funeral Cortege that he deserved. His gravestone in Barrack St, Nenagh records a simple “Well done”.

There’s a discrepancy regarding Fredericks age. The death cert records aged 60 whereas CWGC records 62.

Here amongst Frederick’s military record are a few photo’s of Fred Day's Nenagh before the war changed everything……..

CWGC entry for Frederick Day (104005)