Personnel Index - Detail

Name
DAYKIN
First Names
John William
Rank
Unknown
Service
RFC
Crew Position
Observer

 

He was transferred to the RFC from the Middlesex Regiment.

Originally an assistant armourer but then moved onto being an observer flying from La Bellevue.

Image courtesy of Chris Daykin

Unfortunately he was shot down twice, the last time he broke his ankle which caused a stay at Military Field Hospital (No 42) near Amiens.

He was then posted onto 14 Balloon Corps.

He transferred over to the RAF in 1918 and served until the armistice.

After the war he became a bus driver and together with injuries sustained from his crashes prevented from his from entering WW2 much to his disappointment.

In 2023 his grandson, serving RAF Flight Sergeant Chris Daykin, visited La Bellevue airfield.

An information board has been erected and Chris sent us a photograph with a DH4 overlay.

La Bellevue airfield in Northern France (Then & Now).