THE memory of a daredevil First World War hero has again been honoured as a special ceremony was held in Glasgow.
Sergeant Major John Skinner was awarded a Victoria Cross (VC) by King George V during an investiture at Buckingham Palace on September 26, 1917.
It was the second time the monarch had decorated Skinner, having presented him with the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) at Glasgow Green two years earlier.
Photo credit: Colin Mearns
The Sergeant Major also received the Croix de Guerre in recognition of his VC heroism.
On Wednesday, a WW1 centenary paving stone in his memory was unveiled by Lord Provost Eva Bolander, witnessed by proud relatives, outside the People’s Palace.
The Kings Own Scottish Borderer, who lied about his age in order to sign up when he was 16, was described by Sir Beauvoir de Lisle, the KOSB’s Commanding Officer, as “the bravest man I met in a war won by brave men.”
It was Sergeant Major Skinner’s bravery at Passchendaele on 16 August 1917 that earned him the Victoria Cross.
Photo credit: Colin Mearns
Soldier-journalist Lieutenant James Price Lloyd in a press release for the War Office recounted his bravery, in the face of heavy enemy fortification and fire.
He wrote: "In spite of the fact that Skinner had been wounded in the head, he hastily collected six men and dashed towards the block houses.
"The first he captured single-handed. He reappeared laboriously carrying two machine guns, one under each arm, and followed by the whole garrison as prisoners.
"He went on to capture the remaining block houses, rounding up 23 more prisoners, three more guns and two trench mortars.”
Sergeant Major Skinner was born to Walter and Mary Skinner (nee Kendrick) in Maryhill, the third son of a tailor.
Photo credit: Colin Mearns
By the outbreak of the First World War he had already seen 14 years service in the Boer War in South Africa, followed by campaigns in India and the Middle East.
His Great nephew Stewart Skinner, 70, travelled from Sydney, Australia, to attend the ceremony. He said: “I always get goosebumps when I talk about him. By all accounts, as well as being incredibly brave, he was full of mischief: drunk on duty, drunk in charge of a horse, women in barracks.
“The King apparently asked him, when he pinned the VC on his tunic: ‘How did you manage to keep all these prisoners?’ and he replied: ‘Once I get hold of something I don’t let go.’”
Sergeant Major Skinner was fatally shot in Belgium on March 17, 1918, at the age of 35 years, when trying to rescue a wounded man.
Photo credit: Colin Mearns
At his funeral in Vlamertinghe, Belgium on March 19 his coffin was carried 17 miles for burial, ignoring the rule that the dead were to be buried near the trenches.
A total of nine VC’s attended the funeral, understood to be the only time six VCs have acted as pall-bearers, and therefore unique in British military history.
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