A Wigtownshire Casualty & confirmed 'Battle of Vimy Ridge' gallantry & campaign medal group of 4 together with Memorial Plaque: Corporal John Slaven, M.M.,  2nd Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers

- Military Medal. GV 1st type (12078 L. Cpl. J. Slaven. 2/K.O. S. B.)
- 1914-15 Star (12078 Cpl. J. Slaven. K. O. Sco: Bord:)
- British War Medal. Silver issue (12078 Cpl. J. Slaven. K. O. Sco. Bord.)
- Interallied Victory Medal (12078 Cpl. J. Slaven. K. O. Sco. Bord.)
- Memorial Plaque (John Slaven)

Vimy Ridge: The award of the Military Medal for bravery in the field is confirmed as an award for gallantry at the Battle of Vimy Ridge in April 1917. The Regimental War DIary of 2nd Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers records in an entry dated 18/6/17 at location ECURIE, that all of the below following decorations (the recipients are all named) were in respect of deeds of gallantry performed at the Battle of Vimy Ridge, where 2/KOSB had fought in April 1917. Specifically, the preamble to the list of decorations states: 

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The undermentioned Decorations have been awarded to Officers, N.C.O's and Men of the Battalion since the Operations at VIMY RIDGE

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The list of Decorations awarded to 2/KOSB for Vimy Ridge comprised:

- D.S.O. x 1
- Croix De Guerre x 1
- M.C. x 5 (including one to the battalion's R.A.M.C. Medical Officer attached)
- D.C.M. x 1
- M.M. x 15 (including the award to 'No. 12078 L/C J. Slaven)

Sold together with:

- Official waxed stout card holder for the Memorial Plaque

Died-of-Wounds: Corporal John Slaven, M.M., 2nd Battalion K.O.S.B. is confirmed having 'Died-of 'Wounds' in France & Flanders on 6 October 1917, having been severely wounded-in-action a few days earlier. Reference file series 
MH 106/480 - British Army Hospital Admission & Discharge Registers - the Register for 11 Casualty Clearing Station in October 1917, shows that Corporal J. Slaven 2/K.S.S.B. born 1893, and 24 years of age, had completed 3 years military service including 24 months active service, and had been admitted to 11/CCS on 4 October 1917, from the 64th Field Ambulance suffering from 'Gunshot & Shrapnel Wounds', (or GSW) to the 'Scrotum & Buttock', and being 'Discharged Dead' on 6 October 1917

The life and supreme sacrifice of John Slaven is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at the Godewaersvelde British Cemetery France, where John's body was laid to rest, and where a stone memorial inscribed with his regimental crest and service details is maintained. The CWGC records show that John, was the son of John Slaven of Boreland, Stranraer, Wigtownshire (Scotland), and his memorial stone has the epitaph:

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HE DIED THAT WE MIGHT LIVE

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Medals Verification: All medals and the memorial plaque (this latter an automatic issue to the nominated next of kin of the fallen) confirmed as entitled per the below cited primary sources: 

- Military Medal. GV 1st type: Published in London Gazette issue 9 July 1917
- 1914-15 Star: WO 329/ 3699 awarded while serving with 6/KOSB, entered theatre of war France 12 May 1915
- British War Medal. Silver issue: WO 329/1113. Shows awarded M..M. & prior served 6/KOSB
- Interallied Victory Medal: WO 329/1113. Shows awarded M..M. & prior served 6/KOSB
- Memorial Plaque: This an automatic issue to the recipients nominated next-of-kin

John Slaven, from Stranraer, Wigtownshire, attested into the King’s Own Scottish Borderers for service during the Great War and served on the Western Front with the 6th Battalion from 12 May 1915. Advanced Corporal and awarded the Military Medal, he saw further service with the 2nd Battalion and died of wounds on 6 October 1917. He is buried in Godewaersvelde British Cemetery, France.

Condition: Mostly about EF

Code: 25880