Private Charles Exley - Family Headstone

Inscription:
In loving memory of / Andrew / The beloved husband of / Jane Elizabeth Exley /
Who died Dec. 19th 1929 / Aged 60 years / Also the above named / Jane Elizabeth Exley /
Who died / Nov. 2nd 1951 / Aged 80 years /
Also their beloved son Pte. Charles Exley Y&L Regt. / Who was killed in France May 31st 1917/ Aged 25 years / Hearts that loved them never forget. //

Headstone location:
U/C 6, 697C Wombwell Cemetery, South Yorkshire.
Charles is not interred within this grave. He is buried in
Plot I.Q.35. at Philosophe British Cemetery, France

Other memorials that commemorate Charles Exley include:
St. Mary's Church War Memorial, Park Street, Wombwell
Cortonwood war memorial, Brampton Bierlow, South Yorkshire

Private Charles Exley
Barnsley Chronicle July 21st 1917
Image with thanks to the Barnsley Archives

Service Details:
Private Charles Exley, 13/1404, 2nd Btn. York and Lancaster Regt.

Links:
CWGC.org - Casualty Details
LFWW - Life Story
FindaGrave.com - Headstone (U.K)
FindaGrave.com - Grave  (France)

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.