A Jock's First Day of Loos - Scotland's Bloodiest Day of War - casualty medal group of 3 together with companion Memorial Plaque: Private John Mitchell, 7th (Service) Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers

- 1914-15 Star (8013 Pte. J. Mitchell. K.O.Sco:Bord:)
- British War Medal. Silver issue (8013 Pte. J. Mitchell. K.O.Sco.Bord.)
- Interallied Victory Medal (8013 Pte. J. Mitchell. K.O.Sco.Bord.)

Sold together with:

- Memorial Plaque: John Mitchell

Regimental number on 1914-15 Star only, with two overstruck digits - and exactly as issued

Killed-in-Action at First Day Battle of Loos: Private John Mitchell, is confirmed having been 'Killed-in-Action' on 25, September 1915. It is highly likely that moments before his death, John would have been one of the many 'Jocks' of 1/7th Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers to have been a battlefield witness to the feats of uncommon gallantry displayed by 'The Piper of Loos' - Piper Daniel Laidlaw - for which actions the piper was decorated with the Victoria Cross, and became a legendary Piper of the Great War.

The body of John Mitchell was never recovered from the field of battle, however the memory of his supreme sacrifice is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, where his service details are inscribed on a regimental panel on the Loos Memorial located in the Pas de Calais region of France

Basis the inspirational deeds of supreme gallantry performed by Piper Daniel Laidlaw, 7th (Service) Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers ate Loos - which would have been amongst the final living memories of John Mitchell, we are here quoting the Victoria Cross citation of the Piper of Loos:

Quote (London Gazette issue of 18 November 1915);

15851 Piper Daniel Laidlaw, 7th Battalion, The King's Own Scottish Borderers,

For most conspicuous bravery prior to an assault on German trenches near Loos and Hill 70 on 25th September, 1915.

During the worst of the bombardment, when the attack was about to commence, Piper Laidlaw, seeing that his company was somewhat shaken from the effects of gas, with absolute coolness and disregard of danger mounted the parapet, marched up and down I and played his company out of the trench. The effect of his splendid example was immediate, and the company dashed out to the assault. Piper Laidlaw continued playing his pipes till he was wounded.

Unquote.

Medals Verification: The Great War campaign medals all verified as issued per the respective medal rolls of the King's Own Scottish Borderers:

a). 1914-15 Star: WO 329/2699. First entered theatre of war 'France' on, 9 July 1915, with 7/KOSB)
b). British War Medal. Silver issue: WO 329/113, Shown with 7/KOSB
c). Interallied Victory Medal: WO 329/1113. Shown with 7/KOSB

A poignant medal group to a Scottish soldier who was killed at the Battle of Loos - Scotland's bloodiest day of war!

Condition: EF

Code: 24946