  john brunton daykins vc mm (ormiston farm, hawick, 26 march 1883 &ndash; 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, rotherham, england. ==references==  *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== *location of grave and vc medal (border, scotland) *   
1883_births 1933_deaths British_Army_personnel_of_World_War_I British_Army_recipients_of_the_Victoria_Cross British_World_War_I_recipients_of_the_Victoria_Cross People_from_Hawick Recipients_of_the_Military_Medal York_and_Lancaster_Regiment_soldiers