Gnr
William Skidmore
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1889 |
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Place of birth: Poplar, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Gunner |
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Service number: 156810 |
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Enlistment date: 08/12/1915 |
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Enlistment place: Canning Town, Essex, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — Royal Garrison Artillery, 124th Siege Bty. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 08/02/1974 |
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Place of death: London (City), Middlesex, England, United Kingdom |
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Cause of death: Death post-war (unrelated) |
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Age: 85 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 5
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place | ||
| #4 | Place of wounding | ||
| #5 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
William Skidmore was born in 1889 in Poplar, Middlesex, England. He was the son of George and Louisa Skeels. In 1912 he married May Payton, with whom he had two children. William worked as a labourer in a flour mill. The couple lived at 9 Braemar Road, Plaistow near London. After the war broke out, he worked at the shell forge at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich. He enlisted at Canning Town on 8 December 1915 and served the Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA) as a gunner in the United Kingdom until 30 September 1917. On the 1st of October 1917 he landed in France, joining the 124th Siege Battery on 10 October.
In November this unit was in the field east of Boezinge, near Gallwitz Farm. On the 11 November 1917 this position is shelled heavily, causing the deaths of two men: Bomber Dracup Hindle and Gunner Percy Farmer. On the same day Gunner Skidmore was hospitalized at No. 32 Stationary Hospital at Wimereux (France) with Shell Shock. On 28 November he returns to England to 4th London General Hospital TF at Denmark Hill, London. He was discharged from the army on 15 March 1918. William Skidmore died on 8 February 1974 at London.
In November this unit was in the field east of Boezinge, near Gallwitz Farm. On the 11 November 1917 this position is shelled heavily, causing the deaths of two men: Bomber Dracup Hindle and Gunner Percy Farmer. On the same day Gunner Skidmore was hospitalized at No. 32 Stationary Hospital at Wimereux (France) with Shell Shock. On 28 November he returns to England to 4th London General Hospital TF at Denmark Hill, London. He was discharged from the army on 15 March 1918. William Skidmore died on 8 February 1974 at London.
Sources 3
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Army Troops. 124 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), WO 95/481/5). https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), RG14). https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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War Office: Soldiers’ Documents, First World War (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), WO 363). https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |