John Skinner
Company Sergeant-Major, 1st Battalion. King's Own Scottish Borderers
- Register No.
- 1150 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Company Sergeant-Major (register: Company Sergeant Major) all Company Sergeant-Majors →
- Unit
- 1st Battalion. King's Own Scottish Borderers all King's Own Scottish Borderers VCs →
- Date of action
- 18 August 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 14th September 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Born
- 26th October 1881 at Pollockshields, Glasgow
- Died
- 17th March 1918 at Vlamertinghe, Belgium
- Memorial / grave
- at Vlamertinghe British Cemetery, Belgium
- Medal held by
- the King's Own Scottish Borderers Museum,
Digest of citation
Machine-gun fire opened up on the left flank whilst Company Sergeant-Major Skinner's company was attacking at Orah Ruins, Mesopotamia (Iraq),on the 18th August 1917, causing the advance to be delayed. Although he was wounded, in the head, he and six men worked their way around the left flank of the three block houses from where the fire was emanating. He succeeded in taking the first Blockhouse single handed, then he led his six men towards the other two. They skilfully cleared the block houses capturing two trench mortars, three machine guns and taking 60 prisoners
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
SKINNER, John. (reg No. 1150).
Company Sergeant-Major. 1st Battalion. King's Own Scottish Borderers.
London Gazetted on 14th September 1917.
VC Medal's Custodian is the King's Own Scottish Borderers Museum, The Barracks, Berwick. TD15 1DG.
Born on 26th October 1881 at Pollockshields, Glasgow.
Died on 17th March 1918 at Vlamertinghe, Belgium.
Memorial on grave at Vlamertinghe British Cemetery, Belgium.
Digest of Citation reads: Machine-gun fire opened up on the left flank whilst Company Sergeant-Major Skinner's company was attacking at Orah Ruins, Mesopotamia (Iraq),on the 18th August 1917, causing the advance to be delayed. Although he was wounded, in the head, he and six men worked their way around the left flank of the three block houses from where the fire was emanating. He succeeded in taking the first Blockhouse single handed, then he led his six men towards the other two. They skilfully cleared the block houses capturing two trench mortars, three machine guns and taking 60 prisoners.
Additional information:. Sergeant-Major Skinner also held the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) which was presented to him by King George V on a visit to Glasgow. He served in the Boer War where he was wounded three times. He was wounded six times in the European War (WW I).
Additional information
Sergeant-Major Skinner also held the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) which was presented to him by King George V on a visit to Glasgow. He served in the Boer War where he was wounded three times. He was wounded six times in the European War (WW I).
The Barracks, Berwick. TD15 1DG.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Vlamertinghe British Cemetery, Belgium
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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