Feb 22, 1897

Born in Stratford, England

Aug 3, 1906

Embarked the SS Dominion as a Home Child under the care of the Dr. Barnardo’s Home

Aug 11, 1906

Disembarked in Montreal, Quebec and proceeded to Toronto, Ontario

Jun 1, 1911

The 1911 Census shows him living in Turnberry Township, Lot 18, Concession 6, Huron County, Ontario and his occupation is shown as Servant.  The head of the house was Mr. George E. Wright

Nov 3, 1915

Attested into the 70^th Battalion CEF in Windsor, Ontario

Ø  Number 124333

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. Willis Skinner, mother, 50 Humbolt Ave., Detroit, Michigan, USA

Ø  Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Methodist

Ø  Assigned to “B” Company

Dec 22, 1915

Admitted to the Military Hospital in London, Ontario with a diagnosis that reads Tonsillitis

Dec 31, 1915

Discharged to duty from hospital

Mar 5, 1916

2 days pay deducted for being absent

Apr 24, 1916

Embarked the SS Lapland in Halifax, Nova Scotia

May 5, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to Shorncliffe

Jun 7, 1916

Admitted to the Moore Barracks Hospital in Shorncliffe with a diagnosis that reads Parotiditis

Jun 9, 1916

Transferred to the Isolation Hospital in Folkestone and the diagnosis is changed to read Mumps

Jun 23, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

Jul 6, 1916

Transferred to the 39^th Reserve Battalion at West Sandling to continue training

Oct 4, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Oct 5, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 132 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Oct 16, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Skinner joined the 21^st Battalion in billets in Divion, France and was assigned to “A” Company.  He was later assigned as a Scout in “A” Company

Apr 9, 1917

During the attack on Vimy Ridge, Private Skinner received a bullet wound to his right forearm.  The bullet passed through without doing any damage to the bone, but was still serious in nature.  He was evacuated first to a field ambulance for first aid before being transported to a nearby casualty clearing station for further treatment

Apr 11, 1917

Admitted to the No. 3 Canadian General Hospital in Boulogne for treatment

Apr 12, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship St. Denis

 
On arrival in England he was admitted to the 3^rd Northern General Hospital in Sheffield

 
Posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital

Apr 17, 1917

Transferred to the Woofindin Convalescent Home in Sheffield to continue his recovery

May 3, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom to continue his recovery

Jun 4, 1917

Discharged to duty from hospital

 
Posted to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Aug 1, 1917

Forfeited 5 days pay for being absent from the Defaulter’s Pack Drill that was punishment for a previous offence not recorded in the file

Sep 2, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

 
Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France as part of a draft of 83 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Sep 16, 1917

After leaving the base depot he joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Villers au Bois

Nov 3, 1917

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Nov 9, 1917

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Skinner rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the Support Lines at Passchendaele, Belgium

Nov 29, 1917

Attached to the Headquarters, 2^nd Canadian Division Engineers for duty

Jan 21, 1918

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the Support Lines near La Coulotte, France

Mar 23, 1918

Granted 14 days leave to Paris

Apr 6, 1918

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion from leave

Apr 25, 1918

Appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal to replace 1087273 Lance Corporal Reynolds

Aug 8, 1918

During the advance on the town of Marcelcave, France, the 21^st Battalion met with severe opposition from the occupying German army.  Losses were heavy from enemy machine gun fire and artillery shells.  Included in the casualties was the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel EW Jones DSO.  Also killed in action was Lance Corporal William Skinner.  He was initially buried in the Midway Corner Cemetery near Marcelcave,

With thanks to Philippe Gruit for assisting in finding the location
of that original burial site

When the war ended, the cemetery was emptied and his body was exhumed and reburied in the Villers Bretonneux Military Cemetery

 
Following the war, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to his sister, Mrs. Florence Brown, 96 Adelaide St., Chatham, Ontario

 
The Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his mother, Mrs. J. Lee, (she had remarried) c/o D.U.R. Interurban Rly., Corner Bates and Jefferson Ave., Detroit, Michigan, USA