The St Ives Town Team and the Norris Museum are hosting an event to commemorate the centenary of the death of war poet Miles Jeffrey Day.

The Hunts Post: Miles Jeffrey Day centenary eventMiles Jeffrey Day centenary event (Image: Archant)

Day was born in Rheola in 1896 and grew up in St Ives and his love of the surrounding countryside is thought to have inspired his poetry.

He was destined for Cambridge University, but the outbreak of the First World War altered his path and he trained with the Royal Naval Air Service.

his passion for flying and the outbreak of the First

He received his commission as a sublieutenant at a time when flying was in its infancy, which made the dangers considerable.

However, none of this daunted Day and he became so proficient in a relatively short space of time that he was at retained

as a test pilot.

Such was the casualty rate at the front he was soon promoted to Wing Commander, but was shot down attacking the enemy over the Belgium coast.

He survived a crash landing on the sea, but was last seen waving his colleagues back home to safety.

The evening event on March 10 commemorates the centenary of his death at just 21 years of age.

“The event takes the form of a celebration of his childhood and family in St Ives, his deep friendship with Edward Hilton Young, an MP and

fellow poet, his flying exploits and, of course, his poetry,” said a member of the town team.

There will be readings of both his letters and poems as well as photographs and audio visuals which will capture the nature of aerial warfare of the time, the spirit of the era and the nature of the young men who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

“It will be moving and at the same time fascinating and informative, a sincere tribute to a remarkable young man from a well-known St Ives family,” added the town team.

The event is being held at the St Ives Corn Exchange on March 10 at 7.30pm.

Tickets are limited and available from the corn exchange or online at: www.ticketsource.co.uk/eventsstives.

INFO: www.theoldriverportstives.co.uk.

The Old Riverport website has information about everything going on in St Ives. Whether you want to eat out, order a take-away, find a car park or visit a pub you can use this website to help. There are also details about The Norris Museum and the corn exchange, and shops and businesses aswell as events which are taking place.