Thomas Skelton, Age 27

Private, 201012, 1/4th Battalion, Kings Shropshire Light Infantry.

K.S.L.I Regiment Cap Badge.

Samuel and Thomas were the sons of Thomas and Hannah Skelton of 21 Holly Road, Little Dawley. Thomas senior was a miner and according to the 1901 census the family were living at 6 Holly Hedge, with the two sons being aged 7 & 9. Both sons had joined the KSLI originally with Samuel (KSLI 2829) later being transferred to the Gloucestershire regiment.

Thomas had married and was living at Harboro’ Grange, Ashton on Merseyside with his wife Florence when on 14th August 1918 he was killed in action whilst serving in trenches near Locon on the La Bassee canal. The trenches ran through standing corn fields which the Germans bombarded with gas shells at night and the KSLI suffered comparatively heavy casualties as the gas lingered amongst the corn.

He now lies buried at Pernes British cemetery in grave IV.A.6.

On Aug 14th 1919 a notice appeared in the Shrewsbury and Wellington Journal from Thomas’s Wife:
Skelton — In loving memory of my dearly loved Husband, Pte Tom Skelton, died of wounds Aug 14th 1918 “Tis only the actions of the just that smell sweet and blossom into dust” silently mourned by his Wife Flo

Pernes British cemetery, IV. A. 6.

Inscription added to head stone by: Mrs. F. E. Skelton, Harboro Grange, Ashton-on-Mersey, Chesire.

Thy Will Be Done

WWI Medal Rolls Index Card

Commonwealth War Graves
Buried Pernes British cemetery

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Victory Medal	British War Medal