SKIDMORE, David

David Skidmore was a Wordsley man who volunteered for the South Staffords. He went to the 1st Battalion and probably joined them early in 1915. They had moved to the Western Front with the 7th Division in October 1914 and went immediately to the defence of Ypres. In 1915 they took part in the Artois attacks at Neuve Chapelle, Festubert and Loos. In each case their casualties reflected the bravery of what had been the pre-1914 regular army. In 1916 they were in the front line for the 1st July, the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Their target was the fortified village of Mametz and this was captured according to plan. Casualties in this sector were not heavy but did include Private David Skidmore who was killed in action. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial and on the Wordsley Memorial.