Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Private John Grant, 1st Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, who was wounded in action in Korea on 4 November 1951 (Guy Fawkes eve) during the epic ‘Gunpowder Plot’ offensive - His fellow Borderer Private Bill Speakman was awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallantry that day, when, although wounded, he led 15 grenade charges against the enemy

Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (22438690 Pte., K.O.S.B.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, E.II.R. (2238690 Pte., K.O.S.B.) official correction to surname; U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed, last with contact marks, nearly very fine; others good very fine (3) £600-800

Private John Grant was wounded in action on 4 November 1951. On this day the Chinese Communists launched 6,000 men in an all-out attack on a vital two-hill ridgeline position on the 1st Commonwealth Division's front. The attack, named by the troops 'Charlie Chinaman's Gunpowder Plot' because it came on the eve of Guy Fawke's Day, fell furiously on three companies of the 1st Battalion, the King's Own Scottish Borderers. The KOSB was holding a 3,000-yard front. The positions ran along ridges roughly shaped like a broad arrow. At one point, the line held by the KOSB was only 300 yards from the Chinese.

The Chinese, in one hour, poured six thousand rounds onto the KOSB's trenches. The Chinese barrage continued even when their own infantry reached the KOSB's lines and engaged the Borderers. In the failing light, the Chinese gained a stronghold on the hinge of the KOSB's line, Hundreds of Chinese fell upon two platoons at this hinge in the line, which slogged it out against the Chinese. At 2am, the platoons contacted their battalion and were ordered to withdraw. The remnants fought their way out from the encircling Chinese and brought their wounded comrades with them. Armed jeeps forayed into the Chinese lines looking for any KOSB's who may have been left behind, and it is believed that very few wounded fell into Chinese hands.

Of the two regiments involved, the KOSB's reported three officers wounded and one missing, seven others ranks killed and 81 wounded. The Royal Leicestershire Regiment sustained nine killed and 58 wounded.

John Grant was born on 7 August, 1932, in Bannockburn, Stirlingshire, Scotland. He enlisted for National Service on 7 December, 1950, at Fort George at the age of eighteen for a two year engagement into the Black Watch. He transferred to the Kings Own Scottish Borderers on 9 July 1951, serving in Korea where he was wounded on 4 November 1951 (shrapnel wounds left forearm and left side of scalp). He was discharged on 28 December 1952, after completing his National Service. He enlisted into the TA, 7th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, on 23 January 1953, leaving the TA on 15 August, 1955, and rejoining the Regular Army in his old Battalion on the following day. His civilian occupations include being a miner and a locomotive engine cleaner. Sold with further details of recipient’s service.