SKINNER, Henry Matthew
| Service Number: | 4210 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 4 December 1915, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 27th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Beckenham, Kent, England, September 1885 |
| Home Town: | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Lather |
| Died: | Natural Causes, Largs Bay, South Australia, Australia, 23 November 1952 |
| Cemetery: |
West Terrace Cemetery (AIF Section) Burial reference: - Light Oval. Row 8S. Aspect C. Site Number 30. |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 4 Dec 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Adelaide, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Mar 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1 | |
| 9 Mar 1916: | Embarked Private, 4210, 27th Infantry Battalion, RMS Mongolia, Adelaide | |
| 9 Mar 1916: | Involvement Private, 4210, 27th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '15' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: RMS Mongolia embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: '' | |
| 10 May 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 27th Infantry Battalion | |
| 13 May 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Corporal, 27th Infantry Battalion | |
| 12 Oct 1918: | Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 27th Infantry Battalion | |
| 21 Oct 1918: | Honoured Military Medal, German Spring Offensive 1918, During operation south of Morlancourt, near Albert, on night of 10/11 June 1918 this N.C.O. in spite of heavy shell fire kept his observation post in operation during the whole of the engagement. All wires were cut but by his coolness and resource he managed to keep his C.O in touch with the situation by runner. His reports, made under such trying circumstances were careful and sound, and of great value. | |
| 10 Oct 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Sergeant, 4210, 27th Infantry Battalion | |
| 6 Mar 1920: | Honoured Military Medal | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement AIF WW1, Sergeant, 4210, 27th Infantry Battalion | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement 27th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières |
History
Sergeant Henry Matthew Skinner, MM
Born 1885, Kent, England
From Adelaide, SA.
Enlisted in 27th Bn 4 Dec 1915, regimental number 4210. Embarked for overseas service 9 March 1916 with the 10th Reinforcements, 27th Bn. Recommended for award of Military Medal for action near Morlancourt, France, 10-11 June 1918; award gazetted 21 Oct 1918. Promoted to corporal 3 May 1917, sergeant 12 October 1918. Returned to Australia 5 July 1919, discharged 10 Oct 1919.
Submitted 19 March 2013 by MindVision Interactive
Biography contributed by Kathleen Bambridge
Sargeant HM Skinner was awarded his Military Medal Bi General Birdwood on 6 March 1920.
Biography contributed by Dianne Black
Henry Matthew Skinner enlisted in Adelaide, South Australia on the 4th December 1915. At the time of enlistment his stated age was 30 years and 1 month, he was a widower, who was employed as a Lather, his next of kin was given as his mother, Mrs Hannah Skinner, 2 Evelina Road, Croydon Road, Penge, Surrey, England.
After basic training he was deployed to 27th Battalion, 10th Reinforcement and his unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board RMS Mongolia on the 9th March 1916 for oversea service. Whilst in France he was promoted to Lance Corporal on 10th May 1917 and to Corporal on 13th May 1917 to complete establishment requirements.
He was awarded the Military Medal on 6th July 1918 upon recommendation by Brigadier-General in command of the 7th Australian Infantry Brigade.
"Action for which commended"
"During the operation South of Morlancourt near Albert on the night 10-11/6/18 this N.C.O. in spite of heavy shell fire kept his O.P. in operation during the whole engagement. All wires were cut but by his coolness and resource he manage to kept his O.C. in touch with the situation by runner. His reports made under trying circumstances were careful and sound and of great value."
Corporal Skinner was promoted to Sergeant on 12th October 1918. After the cessation of the great war he returned to Australia on 18th August 1919 and was discharged on 10th October 1919.
There is very little detail relating to Henry Matthew Skinner after the war, apart from the aspect that he remarried and settle in Adelaide until his death via the attached newspaper article extracted via Trove from" The Advertiser (Adelaide, South Australia) on Monday 24th November 1952, page 14, Family Notices."
SKINNER. —On November 23(suddenly), at his late residence.11a Windsor street. Largs Bay. Henry Mathew. beloved husband of Catherine Ellen Skinner, late of Childers street. North Adelaide. Aged 67 years.
Henry Matthew Skinner was laid to rest in the AIF Cemetery, West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
His grave marker bears the inscription: - " EVER REMEMBERED BY HIS WIFE CATHERINE REST IN PEACE"
Click images to start slideshow.