Harry Day - Inter War Years

Inter War Years

Day was promoted to lieutenant in 1919 and his first command was with a marine detachment on HMS Isis, an Eclipse-class cruiser, before joining HMS Malaya.

Later he commanded the Marine detachment from HMS Caledon at the burning of Smyrna, helping to evactuate Greek survivors of the Turkish massacres. He also saw service with the Fleet during the League of Nations involvement at Memel.

He stayed with the marines until 1924 when he moved to the Fleet Air Arm as a flying officer serving with the Royal Air Force during the late 1920s before receiving a permanent commission in 1930 as a flight lieutenant.

He joined No. 23 Squadron RAF flying Gloster Gamecocks, with which he led the RAF Synchronised Aerobatics Display Team, which included Douglas Bader at the 1931 Hendon Air Show, and other displays.

He held posts at RAF Abu Sueir and Khartoum, was promoted to squadron leader in 1936, then commands at Aboukir, Netheravon before commanding an Advanced Flying Training School at RAF Little Rissington.

When war was imminent, he was promised a staff job at RAF Bomber Command headquarters, however he requested to join an operational squadron. This was approved, and in July 1939 he was promoted to wing commander and placed in command of 57 Squadron stationed at RAF Upper Heyford.