OBITUARY – KEN DAY
OBITUARY – KEN DAY
It is with great sadness that I write to advise that Ken Day has passed away just short of his one hundredth birthday. Ken was the ‘Founding Father’ of the Alvis Owner Club in 1950 and I first met him at the fourth National Alvis Day at Crystal Palace Race Circuit in May 1959, when he was the General Secretary of the Club, a position he held for many years.
In those early years, the administrative HQ of the Club was Ken’s home where he was ably assisted by Sheila, his wife, and it was due to their dedication and enthusiasm that the AOC was successfully forged in those formative years. Over time, Ken rose through the ranks and was immensely proud of his achievements on behalf of the Club.
His knowledge of the Alvis Motor Car is renowned worldwide and his first book, ‘The Alvis Car’ established him as one of the authorities on the marque and I have referred to my copy regarding the technicalities of tuning the SU Carburettors on my own Speed Twenty saloon, which vouched for the thoroughness of his research. His knowledge was respected in the 12/50 Register, the various Alvis Clubs throughout the World and on recently attending the Crossing Borders Event in Germany & Holland, it was obvious that Ken’s knowledge was respected & held in high regard by Club members throughout Europe.
Ken had an indomitable spirit & tenacious determination which was of great benefit to the AOC over the years and I will always remember his involvement with the resurrection of Brooklands Race Circuit which was one of his passions and where I last saw him. He was in an open top Alvis Speed Twenty, or perhaps a Twenty Five, along with his son Tony, with big smiles on their faces, and that is how I will remember him.
Frank H. Kay
President Alvis Owner Club.
31st July 2020
Clearly we as younger members of the club owe Ken Day a lot. God Bless Ken
Ken Day is now among the immortals. We owe him a huge debt of gratitude for is life and his legacy.
My father as a boy lived ON the Brooklands circuit for a while when his father was in the Royal Flying Corps during WW1, and one of my uncles became a rally driver - so I was brought up on motoring legends and was a petrolhead from infancy.
Tucked inside my well-used copy of 'The Alvis Car' is a letter from Ken Day from the days when we bought our first Alvis - a completely reliable TA14. The only time she ever broke down was outside the garage we entrusted with her care.
I'm not sure that 'Rest in Peace' is appropriate. Drive on, Ken!
Another of the Alvis guard leaves with their knowledge. Ernest Shenton, was the same era as Ken, enthusiats doing a lot for the good of the club. What an Alvis gathering now in heaven
RIP.
The death of Ken Day is a great loss to the Alvis community.His involvement and knowledge, for everything concerning Alvis, will be difficult to replace.
On behalf of the board and the members of the 'Alvis Owner Club Nederland'.
Chairman AOCN
Anton Brouwers
We all in the Alvis Register send to Ken's family and friends our sincere sympathy on his passing. He was a towering figure in the Alvis world, and the lives of many have been enriched by his dedication, commitment and enthusiasm. It was always enjoyable to share aspects of Alvis history with Ken, and a true pleasure to hear his voice on the phone only a few short weeks ago and to know that his enthusiasm was undiminished.
Greg Wrapson - Historian The Alvis Register