War Memorial, Jedburgh, Scottish Boarders

Among the names of the 194 people from Jedburgh and the surrounding area killed in the first and second world wars, the memorial records the names of two recipients of the Victoria Cross:

Sergeant John Burton Daykins, VC MM

(Name recorded on a separate stone laid in 2018)

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 born in Hawick in 1883 to John and Bessie Daykins, but he moved with his family to Jedburgh when he was a child.

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. 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. He was in the 2/4th Battalion at Solesmes, Nord in France on 30 October 1918 with a dozen of his platoon.

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.


When he returned to Jedburgh he was made a burgess. In 1924 he inherited his family's Howden farm when his father died.

The Daykins commemorative stone laid in 2018




Captain George Stuart Henderson, VC DSO MC

Henderson was born in East Gordon, Berwickshire, on 5 December 1893 to Robert and Mary Henderson.

Henderson was 26 years old, and a captain in the 2nd Battalion, The Manchester Regiment during the 1920 Iraqi Revolt, then called Mesopotamia, when the following deed took place on 24 July 1920 near Hillah, Mesopotamia for which he was awarded the VC.

The citation from the 'London Gazette' dated 29 October 1920 reads:

The late Captain George Stuart Henderson, D.S.O., M.C:, 2nd Bn., Manchester Regt. For most conspicuous bravery and self sacrifice.

On the evening of the 24th July, 1920, when about fifteen miles from Hillah (Mesopotamia), the Company under his command was ordered to retire. After proceeding about 500 yards a large party of Arabs suddenly opened fire from the flank, causing the Company to split up and waver. Regardless of all danger, Capt. Henderson at once reorganised the Company, led them gallantly to the attack and drove off the enemy. On two further occasions this officer led his men to charge the Arabs with the bayonet and forced them to retire. At one time, wnen the situation was extremely critical and tihe troops and transport were getting out of hand, Capt. Henderson, by sheer pluck and coolness,, steadied his command prevented the Company from being cut up and saved the situation. During the second charge he fell wounded, but refused to leave his command, and just as the Company reached the trench they were making for he was again wounded. Realising that he could do no more, he asked one of his N.C.O.'s to hold him up on the embankment, saying, "I'm, done now, don't let them beat you." He died fighting.

A bass plaque in memory of Henderson is located in St. Michael's Church, Gordon, Berwickshire, Scotland. It contains the following words:

IN MEMORY OF/CAPTAIN GEORGE STUART HENDERSON/VC DSO MC/THE MANCHESTER REGIMENT/ONLY SON OF ROBERT AND MARY HENDERSON/BORN AT EAST GORDON DECEMBER 5TH 1893/KILLED IN ACTION AT HILLAH, MESOPOTAMIA/JULY 24TH 1920 /"ALL THAT HE HAD HE GAVE"

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Museum of the Manchester Regiment in Ashton-under-Lyne, England.