VC Of Death–Defying Soldier To Be Auctioned

The Victoria Cross and other effects of a First World War soldier described as Britain’s luckiest are about to be auctioned.

Corporal Sydney Day was awarded the VC for spearheading an attack on a German trench system, where he killed two of the gunners and took the rest prisoner. 

In 1915 he was shot while trying to rescue Lt Thomas Stevens. The officer was killed, but his family gave Day a silver cigarette case in recognition of his efforts.   

At the Battle of the Somme in 1916, Cpl Day was shot 4 times but was saved by the combination of a packet of postcards in his breast pocket which deflected one bullet away from his heart, and a leather compass case took another bullet.   

Medals specialist, Mark Quayle, said Sydney Day performed multiple acts of heroism.

"This is a man that's regularly going into action, is wounded regularly, still manages to pick himself up - and keeps coming back for more"

The medals and personal effects of Sidney Day VC will be auctioned at the end of February.