SKINNER, Company Serjeant Major, JOHN, V C, D C M, 6895. 1st Bn. King's Own Scottish Borderers. Killed by enemy sniper, at Passchendaele, 17th March 1918. Age 35. Son of Walter Skinner; husband of Annie E. Y. Skinner, of 173, St. Andrew's Rd., Pollokshields, Glasgow. Native of Inver-by-Tain, Ross-shire. Awarded Croix de Guerre (France). Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery XIII. H. 15. An extract from the Second Supplement to the London Gazette dated 14th Sept., 1917, recording the award of V.C., reads-"For most conspicuous bravery and good leading. Whilst his company was attacking, machine gun fire opened on the left flank, delaying the advance. Although C.S.M. Skinner was wounded in the head, he collected six men, and with great courage and determination worked round the left flank of three blockhouses from which the machine gun fire was coming, and succeeded in bombing and taking the first blockhouse single-handed; then, leading his six men towards the other two blockhouses, he skilfully cleared them, taking sixty prisoners, three machine guns, and two trench mortars. The dash and gallantry displayed by this warrant officer enabled the objective to be reached and consolidated.