SKINNS, Charles
| Service Number: | VX44577 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 4 July 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/32nd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Hull, Yorkshire, England, 6 June 1900 |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | labourer |
| Died: | Horsham, Victoria, Australia, 14 February 1985, aged 84 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial, Whitfield & Districts Roll of Honor |
World War 2 Service
| 4 Jul 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, VX44577, 2nd/32nd Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Aug 1945: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, VX44577, 2nd/32nd Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Cherilyn McMeekin
Charles was known by his middle name Cyril. He was the fifth of 8 children born to George and Eleanor SKINNS of Hull, Yorkshire, England. At least 3 of Charles's siblings died in childhood.
Charles's father, George, served in the East Yorkshire Regiment in WWI; he died of wounds in 1916 at age 48.
Charles's brother, Leonard, emigrated to Victoria, Australia in 1913 at age 16. He served in WWI in the 4th Light Horse.
Charles enlisted in the Tank Corps in England in 1916 at age 17, regiment number 307508. In 1923, he joined his brother Leonard, travelling to Victoria aboard Berrima. His occupation on his WWI enlistment and his emigration record was barman.
On enlisting in WWII in 1940, giving his age as 40, he was a labourer. His UK birth shows his birth was registered in the last quarter of 1899.
Charles was a POW on board the Italian transport ship Nino Bixio when it was torpedoed by a British submarine in the Mediterranean on 17 August 1942. The Nino Bixio was transporting Allied POWs from Libya to Italy. Charles was one of 122 Australian POWs to survive the incident.
He died in 1985 at age 86. No known spouse or children.