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John Daykins

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Allegiance
  
Battles/wars
  
Role
  
Armed force officer

Battles and wars
  
World War I

Awards
  
Rank
  
Name
  
John Daykins

Place of burial
  
Jedburgh, United Kingdom

Service/branch
  
John Daykins
Buried at
  
Castlewood Cemetery, Jedburgh

Died
  
January 24, 1933, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Similar People
  
Samuel Harvey, John William Harper, Frederick Charles Riggs

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.

Daykins was 35 years old, and an acting sergeant in the 2/4th Battalion, The York and Lancaster Regiment, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 20 October 1918 at Solesmes, France, Sergeant Daykins, with 12 remaining men of his platoon, rushed a machine-gun and during subsequent severe hand-to-hand fighting he himself 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.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the York and Lancaster Regimental Museum within Clifton Park Museum, Rotherham, England.

References

John Daykins Wikipedia


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