William Dolan Skidmore (1897-1917)
From West Hartlepool, served in 10th Battalion DLI, killed in action at Arras
William Dolan Skidmore, the son of William Edward and Catherine Skidmore, was born in West Hartlepool at the end of 1897. He had three brothers and five sisters and lived in the West Hartlepool area all his life. He was working in a sawmill when he enlisted in the 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry at West Hartlepool on 8 December 1915.
Private Skidmore landed with his battalion in France on 14 October 1916. He was killed in action on 10 April 1917 during the Battle of Arras.
Civil Parish: West Hartlepool
Birth date: 1897
Death date: 10-Apr-1917
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: 14 Hill Street, Seaton Carew, Hartlepool (1901 census)
5 Sarah Street, West Hartlepool (1911 census & British Army WWI Service Records, 1915)
Education: St Aidan’s Primary School, West Hartlepool (St Aidan’s Primary School, West Hartlepool, 1914-1918 Plaque)
Employment: Labourer in a sawmill (British Army WWI Service Records, 1915)
Family: Father: Edward William Skidmore (known as William)
Mother: Catherine Skidmore (nee Dolan)
Siblings: Margaret Ellen, Mary Ann, Sarah, Catherine, John, David, Lily & Robert Skidmore
Military service:
Enlisted in 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry at West Hartlepool on 8 December 1915
Regimental no.: 32606
Private
Medal(s): British War Medal
Victory Medal
Memorial(s): Arras Memorial, Bay 8
Durham Cathedral Book of Remembrance
Hartlepool Book of Remembrance of the Fallen 1914-1918
St Aidan’s Church, west Hartlepool Memorial Panels
St Aidan’s Primary School, West Hartlepool, 1914-1918 Plaque
Victory Square, West Hartlepool Obelisk
West Hartlepool 1914-1918 Roll of Honour
Gender: Male
Contributed by John Edwards