John Skidmore
2465 Corporal John Wilfred Skidmore
2/6th Battalion, the South Staffordshire Regiment
John was born in July 1891 in Ettingshall, nr Bilston, Staffordshire.
He attested for the 6th Battalion on 7th August 1914, having previously served with them, and being time expired. He was a wood machinist at the Sunbeam Motor Works, and lived at 81 Great Hampton Street, Wolverhampton with his mother, Elizabeth, who was dependent on him.
At his medical on 11th August he was passed as “fit”, with good vision and physical development, and a chest of 40″, with an expansion of 4 1/4″.
His military service is listed as:
8th February 1915 - Agreed to Military service overseas
8th February 1915 - Appointed paid Lance Corporal
19th June 1915 - Promoted to Corporal
14th January 1916 - Discharged, after 1 year 153 days service at home
A description is included from his discharge medical : fair complexion, gray eyes and black hair.
He was discharged as no longer physically fit for war service, para. 392 (XVI) K.R.
He had had medicals on 4th November 1915, 3rd December 1915 and 4th January 1916. The reason for his discharge was an industrial accident in 1910 or 1911, when he cut off his left forefinger and thumb on a circular saw. The reports state that he was unable to use a rifle as both forefinger and thumb are amputated close to his hand.
On the November report there is a note “Not willing to be employed in Military Hospitals at Home” from Lt. Col. L. Haywood, NUMWF, 69th(N.M.) W.
His discharge form includes notes from Lt. Col. H Taylor, Commanding Officer 2/6th Battalion. He stated that his military character was very good, he was an excellent NCO, and had been employed and given every satisfaction as a Regimental Policeman.
National Archives WO364