John Brunton Daykins

Led twelve men through fire and captured guns and prisoners.

John Brunton Daykins VC, MM was born on 26 March 1883 at Ormiston Farm near Hawick in the Scottish Borders. His father, also John, was a farm steward; his mother was Elizabeth Brunton, known as Bessie. The family moved to the Jedburgh area during his childhood. Educated at Jedburgh Grammar School and at Kelso, he worked on the family's tenant farm at Howden and belonged to the Jedburgh Rifle Club.

He enlisted in the Lothians and Border Horse Yeomanry in September 1914. His wartime service took him to France and Salonika before he transferred to the York and Lancaster Regiment. Illness interrupted his service, but he returned to the Western Front and became an acting sergeant in the regiment's 2/4th Battalion, part of the 62nd Division.

On 20 October 1918, during the Battle of the Selle, Daykins led the twelve remaining men of his platoon towards the church at Solesmes, France. Despite strong resistance, he brought them close enough to rush an enemy machine gun. In the ensuing hand-to-hand fighting he overcame several defenders and secured the objective. His party took thirty prisoners.

Another machine gun was holding up part of his company. Daykins advanced alone under heavy fire and returned with its gun and twenty-five prisoners. He mounted the captured weapon at his own position. His initiative helped keep the attack moving and reduced casualties among his men.

The Victoria Cross was announced in the London Gazette supplement of 6 January 1919. He also earned the Military Medal for his conduct during the attack at Fresnoy on 4 November 1918. After the Armistice he served with the Army of Occupation in Cologne, finishing his military career as a sergeant. King George V presented his Victoria Cross at Buckingham Palace on 8 May 1919.

Jedburgh honoured him with its freedom and a civic reception. He returned to farming at Howden and took over the tenancy when his father died in 1924. Unmarried, he lived with his mother and sister and remained part of the community that celebrated his wartime service.

Daykins died on 24 January 1933, aged forty-nine, after an accidental discharge of his shotgun. He was buried in the family grave at Castlewood Cemetery, Jedburgh. His sister Elizabeth subsequently placed his medals with the York and Lancaster Regimental Museum in Rotherham. Daykins Drive in Hawick and memorials in Jedburgh preserve his name.

Official Victoria Cross citation The London Gazette, Fourth Supplement, 6 January 1919, page 308.

No. 205353 Cpl. (A./Sjt.) John Brunton Daykins, 2/4th Bn., York & Lanc. R. (T.F.) (Jedburgh, Scotland).

For most conspicuous bravery and initiative at Solèsmes on 20th October, 1918, when, with twelve remaining men of his platoon, he worked his way most skilfully, in face of heavy opposition, towards the church. By prompt action he enabled his party to rush a machine gun, and during subsequent severe hand-to-hand fighting he himself disposed of many of the enemy and secured his objective, his party, in addition to heavy casualties inflicted, taking thirty prisoners.

He then located another machine gun which was holding up a portion of his company. Under heavy fire he worked his way alone to the post, and shortly afterwards returned with twenty-five 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 very largely to the success of the attack.