Main CPGW Record
Surname: SKINNER
Forename(s): Thomas
Place of Birth: Blackburn, Lancashire
Service No: 265741
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 1/6th Battalion
Division: 49th (West Riding) Division
Age: 21
Date of Death: 1918-05-03
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: V. D. 4.
CWGC Cemetery: LA CLYTTE MILITARY CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: BARNOLDSWICK, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Thomas Skinner was the son of Fred and Nancy (Mary) Ellen Skinner, née McEvoy. Fred was born at Retford, Nottinghamshire and Nancy at Ramsbottom, Lancashire.
1901 Blackburn, Lancashire Census: 14, Oxford Street - Thomas Skinner, aged 4 years, born Blackburn, son of Fred and Nancy E. Skinner.
1911 Barnoldswick, Yorkshire Census: 16, Castle View - Thomas Skinner, aged 14 years, born Blackburn, Lancashire, son of Fred and Nancy Ellen Skinner.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Thomas Skinner, 2770; 265741, West Riding Regiment. Theatre of War first served in: (1) [France]. Date of entry therein: 29 June 1915.
Thomas, along with another Barnoldswick soldier, Private Wilfred Shires (265405) (q.v.), went to France in the same draft on the 29 June 1915. Both were killed in action on the 3 May 1918.
War Diary of the 1/6th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment): 3 May 1918. MILLEKRUISSE. The day passed quietly. Final orders were received for forthcoming relief by the French. At 8.30 p.m. a heavy barrage was put down on Front Line and on roads and back areas. Our S.O.S. was sent up on right and left. Reports received from Front Line Battns stated that no attack had taken place. The situation had quietened by 10 p.m. [Thomas was one of twelve men from the battalion who were wounded or killed in action 3 May.]
A short biography of Thomas is included in: ‘Barnoldswick – A small Town’s part in conflicts 1800 to 2014’ by Peter Ian Thompson (2014).
See also: ‘Guiseley Terriers: A Small Part in The Great War – A History of the 1/6th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment’ by Stephen Barber (2018).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
SKINNER, Signaller Thomas, aged 21 years, West Riding Regiment, Castle View, [Barnoldswick], killed action May 3, 1918.
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Private Thomas SKINNER
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 49th (West Riding) Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
17 May 1918
Signaller Thos. Skinner, Barnoldswick
Signaller Thos. Skinner, Duke of Wellington’s, killed by a shell while leaving the trenches on May 3rd, was the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Skinner, 18 Castle View, Barnoldswick. Though only 21 years of age he had over three years’ service, having enlisted in September, 1914. He was amongst the first victims of gas poisoning near Ypres on the memorable, 19th December, 1915, when the enemy first introduced this diabolical practice.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
17 May 1918
SKINNER – Killed in action May 3rd, Signaller Thos. Skinner, West Riding Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Skinner, 18, Castle View, Barnoldswick, aged 21.
Only a British soldier,
Only a dear mother’s pride,
He answered the call of honour,
Doing his duty he died;
But we have one consolation,
He bravely did his best,
Somewhere in France my dear lad sleeps,
A hero laid to rest.
17 May 1918
CRAVEN AND THE WAR
Signaller T. Skinner, Barnoldswick
Signaller Thos. Skinner, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, killed by a shell while in the trenches on May 3rd, was the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Skinner, 18, Castle View, Barnoldswick. Though only 21 years of age he had over three years service, having enlisted in September, 1914. He was amongst the first victims of gas poisoning near Ypres on the memorable 19th December, 1915, when the enemy first introduced this diabolical practice.
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