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CSM. John Kendrick Skinner VC, DCM, CdeG.
British Army 1st Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers
from:Pollokshields, Glasgow
(d.17th Mar 1918)
John Skinner served with the 1st Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers during WW1 and was killed in action on the 17th March 1918. He is buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery in Belgium. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre (France) in addition to Victoria Cross and Distinguished Conduct Medal. Son of Walter Skinner and husband of Annie E. Y. Skinner, of 173, St. Andrew's Rd., Pollokshields, Glasgow, he was native of Glasgow.
An extract from the Second Supplement to the London Gazette dated 14th Sept., 1917, recording the award of V.C., reads- For most conspicuous bravery and good leading. Whilst his company was attacking, machine gun fire opened on the left flank, delaying the advance. Although C.S.M. Skinner was wounded in the head, he collected six men, and with great courage and determination worked round the left flank of three blockhouses from which the machine gun fire was coming, and succeeded in bombing and taking the first blockhouse single-handed; then, leading his six men towards the other two blockhouses, he skilfully cleared them, taking sixty prisoners, three machine guns, and two trench mortars. The dash and gallantry displayed by this warrant officer enabled the objective to be reached and consolidated.
