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Auction: 20001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - conducted behind closed doors
Lot: 836

A 1914 casualty group of three awarded to Lance Corporal J. Skinner, Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment, who was killed during the historic stand at Neuve Chapelle on 28 October 1914 - around that time the enemy utilised chemical weapons for the first time

1914 Star (L-7785 Pte. J. Skinner. 1/R.W. Kent R.); British War and Victory Medals (L-7785 Pte. J. Skinner. R.W. Kent R.), nearly extremely fine (3)

James Skinner was born around 1890 at Sevenoaks, the son of James Skinner of Ivy Cottage, Durton Green, and husband to May Ellen Skinner of 2 Crampton Road, Sevenoaks. Posted to the 1st Battalion, Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment, he served in France from 15 August 1914 and was likely killed during the morning of 28 October 1914, when the Germans made a 9am counter-attack against his Battalion, the 47th Sikhs and the 9th Bombay Infantry. Approximately 300 Germans broke through the rudimentary defensive line and successfully attacked 'B' and 'C' Companies from the rear and flank. The events are further described in Deeds that Thrilled the Empire:

'During the fierce fighting at Neuve Chapelle on the last days of October 1914, the 1st Battalion suffered most severe losses. All its officers with 2 exceptions, and more than half of its N.C.O.'s and men were either killed or wounded. But it gained great honour and added yet another glorious page to the splendid records of the old 50th.'

According to the Regimental Histories of No. 16 I.R. and 43rd F.A.R., the Germans first employed dianisidine shells in the commune of Neuve Chapelle from 26-27 October 1914. The effect was minimal, the howitzer-fired shells being effectively filled with non-lethal sneezing powder, later given the name 'stinkgranaten' by German regimental historians. British historians such as Conan-Doyle and Hamilton barely mention the event, likely in consequence of its failure and irrelevance on the battlefield at that time, but the firing of some 3000 shells set a precedent for this type of warfare which would plague the evolving trenches for years to come. Aged just 24 years, Skinner is commemorated upon the Le Touret Memorial; sold with copied MIC and CWGC entry.


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Sold for
£400

Starting price
£100