Signaller Harold Skinner, R/16952, King's Royal Rifle Corps 2nd Bn.

Photograph from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honor

Service Details:
Rifleman Harold Skinner, R/16952, King's Royal Rifle Corps 2nd Bn.
Died 10th April 1917, Age 21.

Biography:
Harold Skinner was born in Wombwell on 10th April 1896. He lived with his parent's John Green and Annice Skinner at 165 Barnsley Road. As a child Harold attended Barnsley Road Council School and was a member of the Church Lads' Brigade. After completing his education Harold went on to work at Cortonwood Colliery. Harold enlisted at Sheffield on 16th November 1915 and began training at Seaford Camp, East Sussex. From July 1916 onward he served as a Signaller and Rifleman with the 2nd Battalion,  King's Royal Rifle Corp in France and Flanders. In March 1917, during action at Walincourt, Harold was hit by gun fire while transferring equipment from one dugout to another. It was later reported in the Barnsley Chronicle that he had had to have his right leg amputated below the knee. Despite this operation Harold's injuries were too severe. He succumbed to his wounds, dying on what would have been his 21st birthday in the base hospital at Carmiers. He was interred in Etaples Military Cemetery the following day.

Cortonwood colliery WW1 memorial

Harold is remembered on the grave of his parents which is located in Wombwell Cemetery. He is also commemorated on several local cenotaphs including the memorial to the miners of Cortonwood Colliery who served in WW1 and on the St. Mary's Church War Memorial at Wombwell.

The headstone in Wombwell cemetery which commemorates Harold Skinner.

Grave:
Etaples military cemetery

Links:
cwgc.org - Service details
LotFWW - Life Story

Ancestry Links:
Soldiers who died in the Great War
Register of soldiers effects.
De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour