Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Alfred Henry Dakin, a railway engine driver, born 1866 in Derbyshire and his wife Catherine Dakin (nee Mee, married on the 8th April 1891 at Christ Church, Cotmanhay, Derbyshire), born 1871 in Mapperley, Derbyshire. John Edward was born in the 2nd quarter of 1894 in Nottingham, he had one sibling, Alfred Henry, born 1901, also residing in the family home was John’s widowed paternal Grandmother Emily Dakin, born 1847 in Staveley, Derbyshire, in March 1901 the family home was at 35, Middle Furlong Road, Nottingham. In April 1911 John was employed as a millinery Warehouse packer and porter and was residing in the family home at 26, Woolmer Road, Meadows, Nottingham, together with his father, a railway locomotive engine driver, his mother and sibling, Alfred, a schoolboy. On the 31st July 1915 in the Newark, Nottinghamshire district, John married Elsie Singleton. In the 4th quarter of 1918, John’s widow married Tom C. Turner in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district. John first entered the theatre of war in France on the 29th September 1915. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals.
On Friday August 18th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – STATHERN. – LOCAL SOLDIER KILLED. It is with regret that we record the death of Lce.-Corpl. John Edward Dakin, husband of Mrs. Dakin (nee Miss Elsie Singleton) of this village. He joined the Royal Engineers in August 1914 and on September 26th 1915, went to France. He was married on July 31st 1915, and his wife has made her home here with her mother. He was an electrician before joining the R.E. He was home on seven days leave early this year, and returned to France on February 5th. Much sympathy is felt for the widow and relatives in their sad bereavement. As will be seen from the sub joined letter he laid down his life for his King and Country on August 7th. Head Quarters XI Army Corps, 8/8/16. Dear Mrs. Dakin, It is with great pain and deep regret, that I write to say that your husband, Lce.-Corpl. J. Dakin, R.E., was killed by shell yesterday, 7th. He was badly wounded about 1 p.m., and died shortly after without pain. He had been attached to me since March last as my assistant on special duty, what we considered a fairly safe job. He was of the greatest assistance to me, always most willing and anxious to do more than his share of work, and to oblige everyone. Beloved and respected by all who knew him, he was a grand lad, with the finest character and nicest disposition one could wish to meet; no more conscientious and better boy ever lived. I feel his loss as if he had been a relative of my own. We buried him at 3 p.m., today in the cemetery of this town. The French Civil Staff of my department, who thought a lot of him, placed on his grave a beautiful wreath of fresh flowers. Our loss is small compared to yours. No words can express the sympathy I feel for yourself and his mother, to both of whom he seemed devoted. If I can tell you anything more, please do not hesitate to write to me. I trust this dreadful blow to you will be made the lighter by the knowledge that he died doing his duty. Yours sincerely, Charles Mewell, Capt. R.E.