2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders, 27th October 1918
De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour
Extract from the above publication :- MAVOR, JOHN ALEXANDER, Private, No.18563, 2nd Battalion (92nd Foot) The Gordon Highlanders, youngest son of George Mavor, of Auchorties, Keith, by his wife, Mary Ann, daughter of the late William Riach, of Mains of Cairnity, Orton, Moray: born at Keith, Banffshire, 27 February 1895: educated Grammar School there; enlisted in the Gordon Highlanders 28 June, 1917; served with the Italian Expeditionary Force in Italy from 28 October 1917, and was killed in action at the Battle of Piave 27 October 1918. Buried where he fell. His Commanding Officer wrote : “Your son always showed a splendid example, both in and out of action, and was known to all ranks as a brave soldier and a good comrade under good or adverse conditions.”
Further Military and Civilian Research
John Alexander Mavor enlisted into the Gordon Highlanders at Keith, Banffshire and was placed into the 2nd Battalion.
Battle of Vittorio Veneto
Although the circumstances of John’s death mentioned in De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour states that he was killed during the Battle of Piave in Italy, in my opinion that it is more likely to have been the Battle of Vittorio Veneto. The second Battle of Piave occurred from 15-23 June 1918 and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto took place from 24th October and 3rd November 1918 which led to the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian forces on the Italian Front and the signing of the Peace Treaty. This battle was also fought near to the River Piave which is probably where the confusion has come from. A link to the circumstances can be found below.
Family
John Alexander Mavor was born on 27 February 1895 at Keith, Banffshire. The 1901 shows that they were residing at 4b Moss Street, Keith.
His family is shown as follows :-
- Father – George Mavor, born c.1866 at Huntly, Limestone Quarryman.
- Mother – Mary Ann Riach or Mavor, born c.1859 at Oyne, Aberdeenshire.
- Brother – George, born c.1887 at Keith, Farm Labourer.
- Brother – James, born c.1890 at Keith, Banffshire.
- Brother – Arthur, born c.1892 at Keith, Banffshire.
- Sister – Annabella, born c.1898 at Keith, Banffshire.
Addresses
In the 1901, the family address was given as 4b Moss Street, Keith, Banffshire.
The documentation following his death shows the family address is given as Auchorties by Keith, Banffshire.
Medals
John Alexander Mavor was awarded the Victory and the British War Medals for his service in the Great War.
Memorials
John Alexander Mavor is honoured and remembered on the Keith War Memorial, Moray.
Links to Additional Information
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission – John Alexander Mavor
- Lives of the First World War – John Alexander Mavor
- A Street Near You website – John Alexander Mavor
- Find a Grave – Family Grave in Keith
- Battle of Vittorio Veneto
References
- De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour.
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
- 1901 Census.
- Medal Index Card.
- Soldiers Died in the Great War.
- Medal Roll – Gordon Highlanders – Victory and British War Medal.
- Dependents Pension Card
Groups
Contributors:-
- Vincent Stuart
- Zonta72 (Grave Photo)
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