John Brunton Daykins
Sergeant, 2nd/4th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment
- Register No.
- 317 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Sergeant (register: Acting Sergeant) all Sergeants →
- Unit
- 2nd/4th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment all York and Lancaster Regiment VCs →
- Date of action
- 20 October 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 6th January, 1919 on this day → all of 1919 →
- Born
- 26th March, 1883 at Ormiston, Roxburgh, Scotland
- Died
- 24th January 1933 at Jedburgh, Scotland
- Memorial / grave
- not known
- Medal held by
- The York And Lancaster Regimental. Museum
Digest of citation
On 20th 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 the 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
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
DAYKINS, John Brunton (reg No. 317).
Sergeant 2nd/4th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment.
London Gazetted on 6th January, 1919 VC Medal's Custodian is The York And Lancaster Regimental. Museum.
Born on 26th March, 1883 at Ormiston, Roxburgh, Scotland..
Died on 24th January 1933 at Jedburgh, Scotland.
Memorial not known.
Digest of Citation reads: On 20th 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 the 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.
Additional information:. Sergeant Daykins also held the Military Medal (M M).
Additional information
Sergeant Daykins also held the Military Medal (M M).
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: not known
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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