by Gordon Pitts
A number of years ago, still in his seventies, Day happened to take the ferry across the Bay of Fundy from Saint John to Digby. It was a boat Day knew well: the Princess of Acadia, whose construction he had once contracted for as a young lawyer with Canadian Pacific. It was now an aging workhorse in the fleet of Bay Ferries and Day’s friend Mark MacDonald. The Princess’s captain had heard about Day’s marine background, and invited him up to the bridge. At one point, it was suggested that the passenger guide the vessel out of its berth, with Day playing the captain and the captain the helmsman. The location was tricky, the harbour busy, there was the force of the Fundy tides—and the captain could always override Day’s instructions. But Day flawlessly directed the ship’s movement as it left the berth and headed out of the port.
It was a reminder of past adventures, past ports, past shipyards. It was also a classic Graham Day kind of moment in his Canadian period: the guiding intelligence working with a steady helmsman. The captain was impressed. He concluded that, among his other talents, Graham Day was one fine ship handler.
Acknowledgements
To write a biography of Graham Day is a challenge. There are so many sides to the man, and he has always defied being pigeonholed. So I have to thank Graham himself for patiently guiding me through his remarkable career and for his prodigious memory of people, events, and dialogue. Ann Day was also a warm and insightful navigator through the adventures of their life together, and Michael Day shed important light on the man who is his father and friend.
The idea for this book began more than a decade ago with Don Mills, who suggested a biography of Graham Day and tirelessly supported the project. Thank you, Don. Peter Fardy, vice-president of advancement at Dalhousie University, has my appreciation for leading the university’s participation; Dalhousie has been a great sponsor and partner, and I am grateful for the support of its president, Richard Florizone. Thanks also to Peggy Cunningham, former dean of the Rowe School of Business, and to Kim Brooks, former dean of the Schulich School of Law. Elizabeth Thompson was invaluable in assembling the photos.
Among the people who contributed, I must single out Roger and Val Vaughan for being such kind hosts in England as I chased down part of the Graham Day story. This book is, in fact, a collaboration with all the people who sat down with me, either by phone or in person in Britain and Canada: Steve Acker; Marg Ashcroft; Catherine Bell; Jim Bennet; George Bishop; Colette Bowe; John Bragg; Mary Brooks; Lydia Bugden; Dominic Cadbury; Blaise Cathcart; Eleanor Clitheroe; Louis Comeau; Jim Dickson; Michael Donovan; Laura Formusa; David Gardiner; John Gardiner; Peter Godsoe; Costas Grammenos; David Hennigar; Bruce Jodrey; Martha Jodrey; Aldéa Landry; Greg Maddison; Mark MacDonald; Archie MacPherson; Paul Martin; Bill McEwan; Malen Ng; Peter Mills; John Monks; Derek Oland; Geoffrey Owen; David Parker; Helen Parker; Gillian Perry; Joan Prior; John Roy; David Sobey; Donald Sobey; Allan Shaw; Peter Thompson; and Rick Waugh.
Len Waverman, dean of the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University, has been a supporter of my work, and I enjoy my role as the school’s business writer in residence. He was very understanding as I focused on this book. Through my valuable association with DeGroote, I gained access to the McMaster University Library, allowing me to tap into online databases. That opened up the resources of British and Canadian newspapers, most notably the Financial Times, the Times of London, the Financial Post, and the Globe and Mail. Particularly useful were two feature articles on Graham Day at the peak of his British period: one by Hazel Duffy in the Financial Times; the other by Valerie Grove in the Sunday Times.
Also, a word on the books I mined. I am in particular debt to George Bishop for giving me a copy of the story of the Minas Basin paper mill, We Wanted It to Last Forever (South of the River Publishing, 2015), with photos and interviews by Dick Groot. Harry Bruce’s books are always good companions, and I avidly read RA: The Story of R. A. Jodrey, Entrepreneur (McLelland & Stewart, 1979). I am also indebted to that guide through the internal politics of Canadian Pacific, Lords of the Line, by David Cruise and Alison Griffiths (Viking, 1988). Stephen Kimber’s Sailors, Slackers, and Blind Pigs (Anchor Canada, 2003) opened up the world of wartime Halifax. I found great value in Kimber’s books and magazine pieces, as I did in the work of my friend John DeMont. The Chocolate Wars by Deborah Cadbury (Douglas & McIntyre, 2010), was a revelation. Anne Murray’s memoir All of Me (Knopf Canada, 2009), co-written with Michael Posner, provided important context.
My agent, Dean Cooke, is a friend and unflappable supporter in all my projects. Once again, Nimbus has been a fine publishing partner and freelance copy editor Barry Norris a tireless and skilled collaborator. Leah Handler has been astute and timely in transcribing my often rambling interviews. Emily MacKinnon brought endless patience and kindness to her role as copy editor.
The biggest thank you goes to my family, led by Elaine, who is my first reader and staunchest ally through the anguish and joy of producing yet another book.
Dalhousie University Acknowledgements
Dalhousie University acknowledges generous financial support from these individuals and organizations:
The John & Judy Bragg Family Foundation
The Donald Sobey Foundation
David Sobey, CM
Scotia Investments Limited
Stewart McKelvey
Peter Godsoe, OC
Hector Jacques, OC
Halifax Port Authority
Appendix
Sir Graham Day’s Awards and Honours
Legal
Graduated, Dalhousie University Law School, May 1956
Admitted to Nova Scotia Bar, November 1956
Admitted to Ontario Bar, February 1967
Queen’s Counsel (NS), December 2011
Honours
Knight Bachelor, January 1989, “dubbed” July 1990, Arms granted November 1990
Order of Nova Scotia, 2011
Officer, Order of Canada, 2014
Military
Commissioned, Canadian Army, September 1961
Appointed Honorary Colonel, The West Nova Scotia Regiment, May 2005
Appointed Colonel Commandant, Legal Branch, Canadian Armed Forces, May 2011
Medals and Decorations
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
Canadian Forces Decoration (CD)
Honorary Doctorates
Canada
Dalhousie University, 1987
United Kingdom
The City University, 1989
The Council for Academic Awards, 1990
Cranfield Institute of Technology, 1991
University of Aston in Birmingham, 1991
University of Warwick, 1991
University of Humberside, 1992
South Bank University, 1992
Other Award
Honorary Fellowship, University of Wales, 1995
Recognitions
Freeman of the City of London, 1985
Companion, Chartered Management Institute, United Kingdom, 1991
Fellow, Institute of Corporate Directors, Canada, 2000
Member of the Nova Scotia Business Hall of Fame, 1996
Member of the Canadian Business Hall of Fame, 2006
Livery Companies
Worshipful Company of Shipwrights, 1985
Worshipful Company of Coach Makers & Coach Harness Makers, 1987
Related Images
Graham Day, student at Quinpool Road School, 1940s.
The thespian Graham Day, left, in the Dalhousie theatre production of Iolanthe, 1952.
The ambitious graduate of Dalhousie Law School, as chronicled in the 1956 yearbook.
The young troubleshooter takes over Merseyside’s Cammell Laird shipyard in 1971. The ship in the background, M. V. Letchworth, launched on October 5, 1971, the first merchant ship in ten years to
make money at Cammell Laird.
Mrs. Ellen “Nellie” Smith, Cammell Laird’s longest serving female employee, has the honour of launching a ship, with Day as escort.
The Rover mission, as seen by Colin Whittock, cartoonist, Birmingham Evening Mail in May 1985.
Margaret Thatcher reviews the latest Rover while her husband, Denis, inspects the wheels before taking it for a test drive at Chequers.
Guiding His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales (second left) on a tour of the Longbridge Rover plant, 1987.
Dr. Day, upon receiving his honorary degree from Dalhousie, 1987.
A newly dubbed Sir Graham with Lady Day outside Buckingham Palace, 1989.
Edie and Frank Day at Herring Cove, 1930.
The Day family at Pink Beach, Bermuda, 2001. Left to right: Graham, Ann, Michael, Deborah, and Donna.
A man of many hats: Sir Graham reviewing officers at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, United Kingdom.
Day’s installation as Chancellor of Dalhousie University, with Allan Shaw (right), chair of the board of governors, 1994.
Day (right) signing on with West Nova Scotia Regiment, 2005.
A pilgrimage to the East London house where Graham’s father, Frank, grew up.