Harry Skillington
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
He was the son of William and Martha Skillington. William Skillington married Martha Buttery in Nottingham during the second quarter of 1884. Martha died aged 25 in 1886 and it is likely she was Harry’s mother. Harry had half brothers and sisters – Herbert, George, Annie and May (Army Service Record). In 1901, Harry and his father (a domestic labourer) lodged at Plungar with William and Hannah Kirk and their children May, Charlotte and George. In 1911, Harry was serving with 2nd Bn Sherwood Foresters in India whist his father continued to live on the farm at Plungar.
Harry Skillington enlisted on 6th December 1904 at Melton Mowbray for nine years with three in the Reserves. He was posted to the Regimental Depot 9th December 1904 and served from 21st September 1906 with the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment . He transferred back to 2nd Battalion 5th February 1907. He embarked on the transport ship SS Plassey for India 5th February 1907, arriving at Bombay 27th February 1907. He transferred to 1st Battalion and was posted to Belgium on 20th March 1907 serving there until 11th February 1911. He was posted to Madras on 13th February 1911 serving there until 4th February 1913. He was at Bareilly between 11th February 1913 and 13th March 1913 moving to Ranikhet 19th March 1913 where he remained until 29th September 1913 before returning to Bareilly on 3rd October 1913. He left India 9th December 1913.He was effectively transferred to the Reserves 11th December 1913 and returned to England arriving on 14th January 1914. He was recalled on 5th August 1914 and posted to 1st Battalion. He embarked with this unit 8th September 1914 and landed at St. Nazaire 10th September 1914. He was killed in action and is buried in Guards Cemetery, Lesboeufs, Grave Reference 11.A.8
research by John Beech
