HAROLD VICTOR SKINNER

| Posted on |

From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730

As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570

Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.

 

Image from the Suffolk Chronicle and Mercury – 1918

Born: 18th January 1899, Hadleigh, Suffolk.

Baptised on the 19th October 1905, at St. Mary’s Church, Hadleigh, with sister Vera Jessie Skinner, born 27th June 1901, and brother Cyril George Skinner, born 25th February 1904 – family home at Hadleigh.

Died: 26th April 1918; age 19; KiA.

Residence: 10, Gatacre Road, Ipswich.

Occupation: Clerk for Messrs. Footman, Pretty & Co., Ipswich.

Enlistment Location: Ipswich.

 

Rank: Private; Service Number: G/63689

Regiment: Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment, 7th Battalion.

 

Medals Awarded: Victory & British War.

 

Memorial Reference:

Panel 14 & 15,

Pozieres Memorial,

Somme,

France.

 

Brother to FREDERICK HERBERT & CHARLES HENRY SKINNER, and paternal uncle to FREDERICK ALBERT SKINNER.

 

CENSUS

 

1901   Angel Street, Hadleigh, Suffolk.

 

Harold was 2 years old and living with his family & siblings.

Frederick Skinner, 32, a Sack & Cloth Cutter, born Hadleigh, Suffolk.

Emma Skinner, 30, born Hadleigh.

Frederick Herbert Skinner, 9, born Hadleigh.

Charles Henry Skinner, 8, born Hadleigh.

Elsie May Skinner, 6, born Hadleigh.

Stanley William Skinner, 4, born Hadleigh.

 

1911   10, Gatarce Road, Ipswich.

 

Harold was 12 years old and living with his parents & siblings.

Frederick, 42, a Sack Cutter – Sack Manufacturer.

Emma, 40.

Elsie, 17, a Day Girl – Domestic.

Stanley, 15, a Office Boy – Corn Merchant.

Vera Jessica Skinner, 9, born Hadleigh.

Cyril George Skinner, 7, born Hadleigh.

Margaret Maud Skinner, 3, born Ipswich.

 

Harold is also remembered on the war memorial at Burlington Baptist Church, London Road, Ipswich.


 Frederick & Emma Skinner.

Kevin Knights 11th March 2022.

Today I visited Hangard Wood, where my great uncle Harold Skinner was killed.
Harold Victor Skinner of the 7th Battalion of The Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment was killed in action on the 26th April 1918 at the age of 19. He was the second of the three brothers to be killed. Just two months before his eldest brother, Frederick, who was remembered yesterday. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial.
His battalion diary shows that on the 25th April 1918, his battalion was in line at Hangard Wood. On the day he was killed, that battle commenced. It was a fierce battle which halted the German advance and helped expedite the end of World War One. So I am very proud that he took part in that battle, but sad that he lost his life at such a young age.
37 of his battalion were killed that day. 17 have known graves, but 20, including him, have no known graves.
I was able to visit and pay respect to the 17 known graves.
11 at Hangard Wood British Cemetery
3 at Hangard Communal Cemetery. 1 each at Pargny, Crouy and London Cemetery extension.
There are a number of unknown graves of his battalion, of which he is a candidate, but so are the other 19 with no known grave who were killed that day. Hence, it is not possible to identify his resting place. It is possible he may lie somewhere in one of these cemeteries or another cemetery in this area.

Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment, 7th Battalion

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

error: Content is protected !!
Scroll to Top