Pte 25530 Richard Harold Skinner

• Age: 22
• From: Widnes, Lancs
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• Died Sunday 4th June 1916
• Commemorated at: Farnworth, Widnes, St Lukes
  Panel Ref: 15.O11.96

Richard Harold was born in the third quarter of 1893, he was baptised at St Mary's Church, Widnes in 1893. He was one of two children and the only son of Charles Skinner and his wife Elizabeth (nee Lee). His father was born in Westbury Wiltshire and his mother was born in Widnes. They married in 1892.

The 1901 Census shows the family are living at 108 Oakland Street, Widnes. Richard is 7 years of age. His parents are both resident in the household, his father is a 33 year old working as a soap labourer. His place of birth is showing as Trowbridge, Wiltshire. His mother is 35 years of age, born in Widnes in 1866. Also present is a boarder, William Wallace a 25 year old Commercial clerk born in Warrington.   

The 1911 Census shows the family are still living at 108 Oakland Street, Widnes. Richard is a 17 year old student.  His father was working as a general labourer for a soap manufacturer. His parents state that they have been married for 18 years and have had two children, sadly one of whom has died.  THere is a boarder also living at the property, THomas Shaw a 71 year old widower who is also working as a general labourer at a soap manufacturer's. 
 
Richard was educated at West Bank  School where he won a County Council scholarship to study at Widnes Secondary School. A bright pupil he passed the Oxford Junior and Senior Matriculation exams and studied at Chester College. He was a keen sportsman and was part of the Rowing Club at Chester College. He became a student teacher at West Bank School and was also a Sunday School teacher at St Mary’s Church in Widnes. Prior to enlistment he was a Science and Music Teacher at Brassey Street School in Birkenhead. 

Richard enlisted in the 19^th Bn of the Kings Liverpool Regiment on 18th January 1915. Following training at Knowsley Hall and at Belton park, Grantham he was stationed at Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain in September 1915 when he injured his right shoulder. Subsequently a tumour developed and he was admitted to Millbank Hospital, London for treatment,where, sadly his right shoulder blade had to be surgically removed. Shortly afterwards his right arm had to be amputated. He returned home to Widnes where his condition continued to worsen.

He was awarded the Silver War Badge and was discharged on 18th May 1916.

Richard died at home at Oakland Street on 04th June 1916 aged 22.

His death was reported in the local press under the header:

SAD DEMISE OF PRIVATE H.SKINNER

"Members of the teaching profession and a wide circle of friends in the army and in civil life heard with deep regret of the death of Private Richard Harold Skinner which took place at his home 98 Oakland Street, Widnes. Deceased was 22 years of age and a Private in the 22nd King's (Liverpool) Regiment. While Science and Music master in the boys department at Brassie Street Council School, Birkenhead he enlisted in January 1915 in the 19th King's afterwards being transferred to the 22nd Battalion.

In September last whilst training at Salisbury Plain, he developed, as a result of a sprain, a tumour in the right shoulder. He was taken to Millbank Military Hospital in London where in October he had the shoulder blade taken out and in the following month his arm was amputated. At the end of December he came home, gradually sank and passed away as stated.

Private Skinner was an old boy of West Bank Council School where he won a Lancashire County Council scholarship and proceeded for four years to Widnes Secondary School. There he passed with honour the Oxfoprd junior and Oxford senior, was successful in his matriculation examination and was for twelve months student teacher at West Bank Council School. He was also a teacher at St Mary's Sunday School. At Chester College, where he spent two years, he joined in all the sports of the school, as he had done in Widnes, and was an oarsman in the Rowing Club. He was also a prefect of the College. H epassed his final examinations with honours and then proceeded to Birkenhead.

Private Skinner was buried with nilitary honours at St Luke's, Farnworth on Wednesday afternoon of last week. The Reverend R. A. Thomas (principal of Chester College) and the Reverend W. C. Jordan (vicar of St Mary's) officiated. As the cortege left the house, teachers and scholars of West Bank Council School lined both sides of Oakland Street. 

At a service at St Mary's Church prior to the interment the Reverend R A Thomas, in a touching address, dealt with the two years spent at Chester College by the deceased. Honour, he said, was one of his strongest characteristics, and he had died as noble a death as Lord Kitchener. He was a man who had chosen the right profession. He loved children, loved the beautiful and had high ideals. He also spoke of the patience with which he had borne his long suffering. The committal service at the graveside was read by the Rev. W. C. Jordan. The coffin was covered with the Union Jack and a firing party and bearer party under the command of Lieut Webster attended fro the 2/5th Welsh Regiment. A salute was fired and the Last Post sounded."                  

Richard Harold now rests in the family grave at St Lukes Church, Widnes. Where the family placed the epitaph:

"FOREVER WITH THE LORD" 

Pension to father Charles and mother Elizabeth, 55 Oakland St, Widnes

Richard is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Widnes Secondary School

St Mary's Church, Widnes

His mother died on 28th January 1935 aged 69 and his father died 16th March 1956 aged 82. 

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