Sergeant-Major Roland L Day

Roland Day served with Airborne Forces in 283 Light Anti-Aircraft Battery RA during the Second World War.

Roland Levett Day, born in 1915,  joined the Territorial Army just after the start of the war in 1939. He is believed to have joined 283 (City of London Yeomanry) Light Anti-Aircraft Battery RA, a Territorial Battery of the 88th Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA (TA), based in White City, London. The Battery, known as the 'Rough Riders' was initially tasked with air defence duties in the early stages of the war.

In 1942, as the Airborne Division (later redesignated 1st Airborne) began to take shape, 283 Battery was designated as an Airborne Anti-Aircraft Battery for the new Division, converting to an Airborne unit in early July 1942. The Battery was itself the forerunner to 1st Airlanding Light Anti-Aircraft Battery RA, which was reassigned to join the Airborne Division in December 1942, and remained part of 1st Airborne until late-February 1944.

Roland continued to serve with the Battery for the rest of the War, before leaving the Army in January 1946.

Roland forged a civilian career, and brought up a family before enjoying a long retirement but sadly died in early 2011.