John Kendrick Skinner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Kendrick Skinner
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| Born | 5 February 1883 Inver, near Tain, Scotland |
| Died | 17 March 1918 (aged 35) Vlamertinghe, Belgium |
| Buried |
Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery
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| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1899–1918 † |
| Rank | Company Sergeant Major |
| Unit | The King's Own Scottish Borderers |
| Battles/wars | Second Boer War |
| Awards |  Victoria CrossDistinguished Conduct Medal Croix de Guerre (France) |
John Kendrick Skinner was a very brave Scottish soldier. He received the Victoria Cross (VC) and the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM). The Victoria Cross is the highest and most respected award for bravery given to soldiers in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth forces. He was born on 5 February 1883 and died on 17 March 1918, at the age of 35.
Contents
Early Life and Joining the Army
John Kendrick Skinner was born in a place called Shore Street in Inver, near Tain, Scotland. His father, Walter C. Skinner, worked as a tailor's cutter. John went to school at Queen's Park Higher Grade School and Allan Glen's School in the city. He joined the British Army and became a soldier.
A Hero in World War I
During World War I, John Kendrick Skinner was an acting Company Sergeant Major (CSM). This is a senior non-commissioned officer rank in the army. He served in the 1st Battalion of The King's Own Scottish Borderers regiment.
Bravery at Passchendaele
Skinner earned his Victoria Cross for his amazing bravery on 18 August 1917. This happened during the Battle of Passchendaele in Wijdendrift, Belgium.
His Incredible Actions
Here is what he did, in simpler words:
- His company was attacking, but enemy machine guns started firing from their left side. This stopped their advance.
- Even though CSM Skinner was wounded in the head, he didn't give up.
- He quickly gathered six other soldiers.
- With great courage, he led them around the left side of three enemy strongholds called "blockhouses." These were where the machine guns were firing from.
- He bravely attacked the first blockhouse all by himself, using bombs. He managed to capture it alone!
- Then, he led his six men towards the other two blockhouses.
- He cleverly cleared them out, capturing 60 enemy soldiers, three machine guns, and two trench mortars.
- His quick thinking and bravery helped his unit reach their goal and secure the area.
Receiving His Medal
CSM Skinner received his Victoria Cross medal from King George V himself. This special ceremony took place at Buckingham Palace on 26 September 1917. After getting his medal, he was given two weeks of leave, which is like a holiday from duty. He was then sent to a reserve battalion in Edinburgh. However, he soon returned to the front lines to be with his men, even though it meant risking trouble with the army.
His Final Sacrifice
Sadly, John Kendrick Skinner was killed in action on 17 March 1918. This happened in Vlamertinghe, Belgium. He died while trying to rescue a wounded soldier. He was buried at Vlamertinghe New British Cemetery in Belgium, about 3 miles (5 km) west of Ypres. Six other soldiers who had also received the Victoria Cross helped carry his coffin.
Where His Medal Is Now
Today, John Kendrick Skinner's Victoria Cross is on display. You can see it at the Regimental Museum of The King's Own Scottish Borderers. This museum is located in Berwick Barracks, in Berwick upon Tweed, Northumberland, England.
