PRIVATE FREDERICK SKELTON

Frederick Skelton is one of the 49 heroes whose name is on the St Mark’s Church Cenotaph. He was born on 12 June 1893 to Frank and Mary Skelton and according to 1901 Census he lived at Plumbley Farm, Mosbro in the Civil Parish of Eckington, the 1901 Census showed that Frederick was 7 years of age. By the age of 17 Frederick’s family had moved to Laugton-en-le-Morthen, Nr Rotherham. He still lived with his family and his brother Frank and his sister Kathleen, they were 9 years of age. He worked as a Butcher Beef and was still single.

He enlisted into the 58^th Bn Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment), his regimental number was 123293.

He died on 8 October 1916 at the age of 23, his final resting place is unknown. His name is listed on the VIMY MEMORIAL; Pas de Calais, France, Memorial ID 56683630.

INDEX NO M.R.23 VIMY MEMORIAL PART VII (S)

Fred probably fought in The Battle of Arras, which began on Easter Monday, 9 April 1917, and saw the four divisions of the Canadian Corps, fighting side by side for the first time. They scored a huge tactical victory in the capture of the 60 metre high Vimy Ridge. After the war, the highest point of the ridge was chosen as the site of the great memorial to all Canadians who served their country in battle during the First World War, and particularly to the 54,000 who gave their lives in France and Belgium. It also bears the names of 11,000 Canadian servicemen who died in France – many of them in the fight for Vimy Ridge – who have no known grave.

Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald – Saturday 27 January 1917

AN ECHO OF THE PAST – LETTER RECEIVED BY MOSBRO’ RESIDENTS

An echo the death Pte, Fred Skelton of the Canadian force, who was killed in France in October last as reached Mosbro from Canada in copies of letters that have been received by and Mrs Frank Skelton, Kippen, Ontario. and who formerly lived at Plumbley, Mosbro. Shortly before his death Pte. Skelton was in Mosbro on a visit to his uncle and aunt, Mr and Mrs M. Scott, Queen Street.

The letters received include one written by the lad himself to be delivered only case of his death. He writes:

Dear Mother

Should you ever receive this letter you will know that I am dead. It seems rather foolish of me to be writing such a letter as this, but some of the boys will see that and it will not keep you waiting so long for news, which you might have to do. I have been very lucky so far by God’s protection. But now. mother dear, are moving down to the Somme and I hear things are pretty rough down there, but I’m quite ready to do my bit, as I came out to do. and if I am to die I am quite prepared. But 1 don’t want you worry, mother, for we shall all meet again in Heaven, if not on earth, and there are lots of boys dying every day, so I don’t see why I should be afraid to die. I must close this time mother, with heaps love you all, I remain. as always, your loving son. Fred Skelton.

Another letter came from General Sam Hughes. Minister of Militia of Defence for Canada, and reads:

Dear Mrs Skelton

Will you kindly accept my sincere sympathy and condolences in the decease of that worthy citizen and heroic soldier your son Private Fred Skelton. While one cannot too deeply mourn the loss of such a brave comrade there is consolation in knowing that did his duty fearlessly and well and gave his life for the cause of liberty and the upbuilding of the Empire. Again, extending to you my heartfelt sympathy, Faithfully yours Sam Hughes. Lieu. General.”

There also a letter from the Sergeant of the Lewis Gun team. of which young Skelton member. Writing from Folkestone Hotel, he says: —

My Dear Mrs Skelton

l suppose you will have heard now of your son’s death. on the morning of the 3th. I am enclosing a letter which found in his pay book. Which I took from him after he was killed. It was a sad blow to you to lose your son as indeed it was to me. He has been with me from the time of enlistment I was his sergeant in the 70th. I was wounded shortly after his death. He was killed instantly by a machine-gun bullet, I have just recovered enough move about a little. I know it is hard to lose him but will bring some satisfaction to know that he made the supreme sacrifice and died serving his country, and flag, and what better way can one die than on the field of honour. I am not Christian, but poor Fred was and if there is a hereafter he will have reward in Heaven. I extend my heartiest sympathy to you in your great bereavement.