L/Cpl
James Clement Skinner

Informations sur naissance

Année de naissance:
1892
Lieu de naissance:
Salford, Lancashire, Angleterre, Royaume-Uni

Informations générales

Profession:
Marchand
Religion:
Church of England

Informations service militaire

Pays:
Australia
Force armée:
Australian Imperial Force
Rang:
Lance Corporal
Numéro de service:
2420
Incorporation date:
19/06/1916
Incorporation nom de lieu:
Geraldton, Western Australia, Australia
Unités:
 —  Australian Infantry, 44th Bn.  (Dernière unité connue)

Informations sur décès

Date de décès:
12/10/1917
Lieu de décès:
Hill 40, Zonnebeke, Belgique
Cause du décès:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Âge:
25

Mémorial

Distinctions et médailles 3

1914-15 Star
Médaille
British War Medal
Médaille
Victory Medal
Médaille

Points d'intérêt 3

#1 Lieu de naissance
#2 Lieu d'enrôlement
#3 Lieu du décès (approximatif)

Mon histoire

James Clement Skinner was born in Salford, Lancashire in 1892 to Annie Clements and William Skinner. After the death of his father, James’ family emigrated to Western Australia. James worked as a salesman, until he enlisted in the army. He was taken on by the 44th Battalion Australian Infantry, part of the 11th Brigade, of the 3rd Division.

In October 1917 the 3rd Division was engaged in the Third Battle of Ypres, also known as the Battle of Passchendaele. After having seen action on October 4th, the 44th Battalion was rested for a few days. They soon moved back into the lines. New attempts to break through failed miserably. Reinforcements and supplies got stuck in the mud. It was even more difficult to get the artillery forward. Without sufficient artillery support, further attacks were doomed. On the October 12th, the New Zealand and Australian attack breaked down on the fortified heights at Bellevue and Passchendaele. The 44th Battalion was holding the support lines near Hill 40. Throughout the next couple of days the Battalion took turns between the frontline at Tyne Cot and the support line at Hill 40. It was hard to say, which position was the worst. It hardly stopped raining and the men were subjected to heavy shelling.

After ten arduous days at the front James’ Battalion was relieved. During the month of October the 44th had suffered 337 casualties, including 85 men killed.

James, 25, was killed in action on the 12th of October 1917. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

Sources 3

CWGC
https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1601128/skinner,-james-clement/#&gid=null&pid=1
Sources utilisées
Longmore C., "Eggs-A-Cook!": The Story of the Forty-Fourth. War-as the Digger saw it. London, The Naval & Military Press Ltd, 2009.
Sources utilisées
The long long trail
http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/
Sources utilisées