John Brunton DaykinsVCMM (Ormiston Farm, Hawick, 26 March 1883 – 24 January 1933, Edinburgh) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
He refused to be labelled as "unfit" and on the third attempt he successfully re-enlisted again in the York and Lancaster Regiment and served in Battle of Passchendaele and again on Vimy Ridge.[2] He was in the 2/4th Battalion at Solesmes, Nord in France on 30 October 1918[1] with a dozen of his platoon.[3]
They rushed a machine-gun and during subsequent severe hand-to-hand fighting Daykins disposed of many of the enemy and secured his objective. He then located another machine-gun which was holding up an operation of his company. Under heavy fire he worked his way alone to the post and shortly afterwards returned with 25 prisoners and an enemy machine-gun, which he mounted at his post. His magnificent fighting spirit and example inspired his men, saved many casualties and contributed largely to the success of the attack.[3]
When he returned to Jedburgh he was made a burgess. In 1924 he inherited his family's Howden farm when his father died.[1]
Death and legacyedit
His memorial was decorated for the 100th celebration for the end of WWI in 2018
Daykins died in 1933 after an accident with a shotgun. He was unmarried and his medals went to his sister. Elizabeth Daykins gave his medals to the York and Lancaster Regimental Museum which is within Clifton Park Museum, in Rotherham,.There is a street in Hawick named for him and Jedburgh decided to lay a commemorative paving stone in 2018.[1] A commemorative event was scheduled to take place in his adopted town of Jedburgh and at Solesmes, Nord where he earned is VC on the centenary of his bravery.[2]
Referencesedit
^ abcd"Daykins Family Search". The Jed Eye (86): 13. March 2018.
^ abc"All Set to Salute VC Hero". Jed Eye (93): 7. October 2018.
john, daykins, john, brunton, daykins, ormiston, farm, hawick, march, 1883, january, 1933, edinburgh, scottish, recipient, victoria, cross, highest, most, prestigious, award, gallantry, face, enemy, that, awarded, british, commonwealth, forces, john, brunton, . John Brunton Daykins VC MM Ormiston Farm Hawick 26 March 1883 24 January 1933 Edinburgh was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces John Brunton DaykinsSgt John Brunton Daykins V C Born26 March 1883Hawick Scottish BordersDied24 January 1933Edinburgh ScotlandBuriedCastlewood Cemetery JedburghAllegiance United KingdomService wbr branchBritish ArmyYears of service1914 1918RankSergeantUnitLothians and Border HorseThe York and Lancaster RegimentBattles warsWorld War IAwardsVictoria CrossMilitary Medal Contents 1 Life 2 Death and legacy 3 References 4 External linksLife editDaykins was born in Hawick in 1883 to John and Bessie Daykins but he moved with his family to Jedburgh when he was a child 1 In 1914 he enlisted with the Lothians and Border Horse and he was at Loos the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the battle of Ypres After this he was discharged after suffering from Trench fever 2 He refused to be labelled as unfit and on the third attempt he successfully re enlisted again in the York and Lancaster Regiment and served in Battle of Passchendaele and again on Vimy Ridge 2 He was in the 2 4th Battalion at Solesmes Nord in France on 30 October 1918 1 with a dozen of his platoon 3 nbsp John Daykins VC welcomed at Jedburgh Town HallThey rushed a machine gun and during subsequent severe hand to hand fighting Daykins disposed of many of the enemy and secured his objective He then located another machine gun which was holding up an operation of his company Under heavy fire he worked his way alone to the post and shortly afterwards returned with 25 prisoners and an enemy machine gun which he mounted at his post His magnificent fighting spirit and example inspired his men saved many casualties and contributed largely to the success of the attack 3 When he returned to Jedburgh he was made a burgess In 1924 he inherited his family s Howden farm when his father died 1 Death and legacy edit nbsp His memorial was decorated for the 100th celebration for the end of WWI in 2018Daykins died in 1933 after an accident with a shotgun He was unmarried and his medals went to his sister Elizabeth Daykins gave his medals to the York and Lancaster Regimental Museum which is within Clifton Park Museum in Rotherham There is a street in Hawick named for him and Jedburgh decided to lay a commemorative paving stone in 2018 1 A commemorative event was scheduled to take place in his adopted town of Jedburgh and at Solesmes Nord where he earned is VC on the centenary of his bravery 2 References edit a b c d Daykins Family Search The Jed Eye 86 13 March 2018 a b c All Set to Salute VC Hero Jed Eye 93 7 October 2018 a b No 31108 The London Gazette Supplement 4 January 1919 p 308 Monuments to Courage David Harvey 1999 The Register of the Victoria Cross This England 1997 Scotland s Forgotten Valour Graham Ross 1995 VCs of the First World War The Final Days 1918 Gerald Gliddon 2000 External links editLocation of grave and VC medal Border Scotland John Daykins at Find a Grave Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title John Daykins amp oldid 1215442103, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
