Signaller Harold Skinner

Photograph from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honor.

Harold Skinner was born in Wombwell on 10th April 1896. He lived there 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.

Memorial to the fallen miners of Cortonwood Colliery
at Bramptom Bierlow, South Yorkshire.

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.

The headstone in Wombwell cemetery which commemorates Harold Skinner.

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 atWombwell.

Rifleman Harold Skinner - Family Headstone

Side kerb inscription:

Also Harold their son / Who died of wounds at Camiers France / 

April 10th 1917 aged 21 years.

End kerb inscription:

Also of Annice / his dear wife / July 30th 1931 

Headstone Location:

Con 8, 2755, Wombwell cemetery.

Harold Skinner however is not interred within this grave. He is instead buried at:

XXII. F. 23A, Etaples military cemetery, France

Memorials that commemorate Harold Skinner include:

Cortonwood Colliery WWI Memorial, Brampton

St. Mary's Church War Memorial, Wombwell

Learn more about Harold Skinner:

CWGC.org - Casualty Details

Rifleman Arthur Barker - Family Headstone

Inscription:
In / Loving Memory / Of  / Gertrude / The dearly beloved daughter of /
William and Annie Barker / of Wombwell / Who departed this life Decr 19th 1901,
Aged 21 Years / Her end was peace /
Also rifleman ARTHUR BARKER / K.R.R (son of the above) / Killed in France April 4th 1918, /
Age 32 Years. / Also of the above named /Annie Barker / Who departed this life Jan 1st 1921, /
Aged 72 years. /To memory ever dear / Also the above named, / William Barker, /
Who departed this life / March 24th 1923, aged 73 years /

Headstone location:
U/C 5, 1542, Wombwell Cemetery, South Yorkshire.
Arthur Barker however is not interred in this grave.

Other Memorials Arthur Baker is Remembered on Include:
Pozieres Memorial, panels 61 to 64, France
St Mary's Church Memorial, Park Street, Wombwell

Service details:
R/41767, Rifleman Arthur Barker, King's Royal Rifle Corps. 

Learn more about Arthur Barker:
CWGC.org - Casualty Details
LFWW.org - Life story
FindaGrave.com - Headstone (U.K)
FindaGrave.com - Memorial (France)