Pte 23636 John Skirrow

• Age: 24
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• D.O.W Thursday 13th July 1916
• Commemorated at: Wallasey, Rake Lane Cem
  Panel Ref: 5.NC.13

John (Jack) was born in Toxteth Park in Liverpool on 12th July 1892 the son of John Skirrow and his wife Ellen (nee Waterworth) who married at St Mary's Church, Edge Hill on 04th October 1887. 

He was educated at Granby Street Council School enrolling on 10th January 1898 when his father is shown as a Fruiterer and the family address is shown as 74 Hatherley Street, Liverpool.

The 1901 Census shows the family are living at 41 Clifton Road  Birkenhead. Jack is 8 years of age and lives with his parents and three sisters. His father is a 34 year old fruit merchant born in Liverpool, whilst his mother is also 34 and was born in Yorkshire in 1867. His sisters, all born in Liverpool are listed as; Alice aged 12, May 9 and Ellen 3. 

Jack was enrolled at St Margaret's C of E school in 1903. 

The 1911 Census shows that the family have returned to Liverpool and are living at 16 Norwood Grove. However, Jack is shown as a farm servant at the home of William Frankland at Thorlby Skipton, Yorkshire. This Yorkshire connection is through mother Ellen who was born in Slaidburn, and the farmer William Frankland, also born Slaidburn, had a late wife Mary who was born in Everton.

He enlisted in Liverpool joining the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 23636. He was living in Wallasey at the time and gave his next of kin Miss L. Skirrow, 15 Hoseside Road, Wallasey, Cheshire.

Jack embarked for France with his Battalion on the 7th November 1915.

He was wounded in the opening stages of the Battle of the Somme and he was treated for his wounds in France before being evacuated to England for further treatment. He sadly succumbed to his wounds on 13th July 1916 the day after his 24th birthday.

A report of his wounding was featured in the Wallasey News on 08th July 1916:

"On Saturday evening Mr.J.Skirrow of 15, Hoseside,Liscard,received a telegram from the military authorities at Preston informing him that his only son,Private Jack Skirrow, of the Liverpool Pals was seriously wounded.He is lying in hospital in France with a shot wound to the spine. Mr.Skirrow has since heard from his son and hopes are entertained that the wound is not as serious as was at first thought".

The same newspaper also carried a detailed account of his death under the header:

Shot In Five Places

In our last Saturday’s issue was recorded the fact that Mr. and Mrs. John Skirrow, of 15, Hoseside Road, Wallasey, had received intelligence that their only son, Private Jack Skirrow, of the Liverpool “Pals had been dangerously wounded in the spine. It is now our sad duty to relate that Private Skirrow has succumbed to his injuries. It appears that he was shot in no fewer than five places, the most dangerous wound being the injury to the spine, After lying some days in a base hospital in France, he was taken to the 4th General Military Hospital at Lincoln, where he was visited by his father and mother, the latter of whom remained at the lovely old cathedral city in order to be near her son. Mr. Skirrow again saw him on Wednesday, which happened to be his 24th birthday. Hopes were at first entertained of his recovery, but he had a sudden relapse at 7.30 on Thursday morning, and passed peacefully away.

The body was brought to Wallasey yesterday (Friday) and it will be interned with military honours at Wallasey Cemetery, Rake Lane, on Monday afternoon, the cortege leaving Hoseside at one o’clock.

Jack now rests at Wallasey Rake Cemetery. His private headstone features the Pals crest which gives an indication as to the sense of pride that his family felt about his service. The Inscription on the headstone reads

PTE JACK SKIRROW,
17TH BATT, K.L.R. (1ST PALS) 
DEARLY LOVED AND ONLY SON OF 
JOHN AND ELLEN SKIRROW, 
WHO DIED OF WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION
IN FRANCE 13TH JULY 1916 AGED 24 YEARS
"HIS DUTY NOBLY DONE"

There are 259 First World War burials in the Cemetery.

Jack is also commemorated on the Wallasey Civic Memorial, and Claremont Road Methodist Church Wallasey.

His family placed a notice on the first anniversary of his death  in the Daily Post on 13th July 1917:

Skirrow John 23636 – : 

“In loving birthday remembrance of our dear Jack, 17^th K.L.R. (Pals), who died of wounds received in action July 13, 1916. Sadly missed by Father, Mother, Alice, May, and Nellie, 15 Hose Side, Wallasey. “

We currently have no further information on John Skirrow, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.