SKELDING, William

William Skelding lived at 67 Brook Street, Stourbridge, and attended Hill St. Council School. He was employed by Mr E. Rutland, the wine merchant, before the war. He was one of the earliest Stourbridge men to volunteer in 1914 and joined the 9th (Service) Battalion of the Worcesters. After training they were sent in June 1915 to Gallipoli where the initial attack in April had failed to capture the peninsula. The Worcesters landed on the 6th August at Suvla Bay without opposition. They moved cautiously forward but their assault on the Turkish position on the 9th June was a disaster. No ground was gained and the casualties were huge. Pte William Skelding was one of those killed in action. He was 20 years of age and is commemorated on the Helles, Stourbridge, St. Thomas's church and the Methodist church Memorials.