Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Rootsweb ID: I656783 Birth Record:  Born  12 June 1917 in Kensington Gardens, South Australia
(Source : South Australian Births 1907 - 1928. Book : 999 Page : 510 District : Nor.)

Father: William Henry SKINNER  (b. 10/4/1885 SA - d. 13/12/1958)
1/8/1910    married  Elsie Julia Walker at St Paul's Church, Port Adelaide, SA

Mother: Elsie Julia Skinner (nee WALKER  -  b. 12/9/1884 Terowie, SA)

Siblings:-
Sister      Kathleen Hannah SKINNER  (b. 25/2/1913 in Semaphore SA)
Sister      Joan Patricia SKINNER   (b. 31/7/1915 in Kensington Gardens SA)
Himself    Hickson William SKINNER

Last lived at King's Grove, Tranmere, SA on enlisting.

Described on enlisting as 23yrs 8mths old; single; 5' 9.5" tall; 129 lbs;
medium complexion; blue eyes; brown hair; Church of England

27/2/1941        enlisted in RAAF at Adelaide, South Australia
27/2/1941        appointed to No.5 Initial Training School, Pearce, Western Australia

26/8/1941        awarded  "Flying Badge"
                       successfully completed No.12 (P) 3 Flying course, at Geraldton, WA
                       passed as Pilot Officer

17/11/1941      appointed to No.3 PRC

17/11/1941      embarked from Australia
24/2/1942        disembarked in UK

21/4/1942        appointed to No.3 (P) Australian Flying Unit

22/6/1942        appointed to No.7 PRC

14/8/1942        joined No.10 Squadron

1/10/1942        Commission - E.A.T.S  at Mount Batten  (to  1/9/1943)

1/8/1943          ceased attachment to the RAF and posted from RAF Station Mount Batten
                       to No.10 Squadron RAAF (overseas)

Flight Lieutenant in 10 Squadron

18/8/1943        Sunderland II - 10 (RAAF) Squadron - W3985/T - lost over Biscay Bay.

409027  F/O Victor Denis William COLLINS - RP187 - Pilot
407977  F/Lt Hickson William SKINNER - RP187 - Pilot
414966  F/O Ronald Ross SWINSON - RP190 - Pilot
401820  F/O William Noel HILL - RP188 - Nav
414990  F/Sgt Hugh Edward BURBIDGE - RP192 - Ag
402704  F/Sgt Ronald Arthur GIBBS - RP192 - WOp/Ag
404754  F/Sgt Kenneth Morwick MELDRUM - RP193 - WOp/Ag
5226      Sgt Alfred Ramsay ALDRIDGE - RP195 - Fitter 2A
19707    Sgt Walter Paul GREATZ - RP195 - Fitter 2E
51797    Sgt Norman Henry ORFORD - RP197 - Armourer
19194    Sgt Walter SLATER - RP197 - flt engineer
655726  F/Sgt Donald Stanyon CROXFORD - RAF(VR) - RP136 -passenger.

(Except CROXFORD all crew were RAAF.)
-- names courtesy of RAFCommands - Henk Welting (24/9/2002)

18/8/1943        presumed killed in action, whilst flying overseas - off coast of UK
                       NO known grave

8/9/1943         Written by Wing Commander G C Hartwell, Commanding No.10 Squadron
                      to father - William Henry Skinner:

                      "All that we know is that he went out on patrol on 18th August and failed
                       to return.   The last signal we had from him told us that he had sighted
                       some aircraft which he presumed to be enemy.  Since then we have heard
                       nothing at all and as his patrol was over sea, we regret to say that we hold
                       out very little hope for his safety."

                      "Hec had shown himself to be a very capable pilot and was doing
                        excellent work in the Squadron.  He was so thoroughly reliable and
                        always such good company in the Mess that it is hard to write and
                        tell you how much we thought of him."
                      "Just before his last flight, Hec had told me that he had become ENGAGED
                       (to Miss White), and intended being married in September.  
                       His fiancee has since been down to see me and told me she intended writing
                       to you and Mrs Skinner. She is a very nice lass and someone whom I know you
                       would have liked.  She has been rather upset, but very brave throughout and
                       requested some small trinket of Hec's.   I am therefore sending her a small
                       brooch we found amongst his belongings."

5/10/1943       Written by MC Langslow - Secretary, to Father William Henry Skinner:
                       - a report received from Air Ministry, London:-

                       "Your son's aircraft was engaged on an anti-submarine patrol and at
                         approximately 6:50pm on the 18th August 1943, a signal was received
                         advising that an ememy aircraft was attacking.    This signal was
                         immediately followed by an SOS and the approximate bearing of your
                         son's aircraft at that time was 222 degrees true.   Nothing further was
                         heard from the aircraft, and I regret that enquiries so far have failed
                         to reveal any further news of the crew.
                         I desire to extend to you again the sincere sympathy of this Department
                         in your great anxiety."

His name is commemorated on Panel 187 at the Air Forces Memorial, Runnymede, Surrey, England.

His name is commemorated on Panel 100 at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, ACT.

Sourced and submitted by Julianne T Ryan.  26/6/2016.   Lest we forget.