GEORGE, John H Skidmore

This soldier was originally known as John Skidmore. In 1890 he was living in Bowling Green Road, Stourbridge, when he enlisted in the Grenadier Guards. He served at home until 1899 when he was sent with the 2nd Battalion to South Africa. He was fully involved with the advance of the British forces and fought in the early battles of 1900 at Belmont, the Modder River and Driefontein. He was then engaged in the advance to Johannesburg and Diamond Hill and returned home in 1902. By that time he had been promoted to Company Quartermaster Sergeant of the 2nd Battalion. In 1910 he was commissioned as Lieutenant and in 1914 he was Captain Quartermaster to the 2nd Battalion. The battalion fought on the Western Front but at some point Captain Skidmore was transferred to the Labour Corps. He died at home on the 8th November 1918 at the age of 46 and is buried in Stourbridge Cemetery (D 777). His name is commemorated on the Stourbridge and St. Thomas's church Memorials.