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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: Nodrogw on Monday 18 January 16 12:12 GMT (UK)
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My great uncle, Robert Skilling was born in Buittle, Kirkcudbrightshire in October 1886. On 31st October 1904 he joined the 2nd Dragoons for a period of 3 years and 9 years as a reserve. His trade was shown as blacksmith. His attestastion oath was sworn at Annan in Dumfriesshire. The Army surgeon passed him fit for service in Dumfries on 1st November, 1904.There is very little about his service. His next of kin are shown as B H Skilling and J Skilling of Castle Lodge Clitheroe Lancashire. On 1st December 1810 he became a police constable in Lancashire, probably Clitheroe.
Robert must have re enlisted in 1914 because he was killed in October 1914 and is commemorated on the Ypres gate. If anyone can tell me where I can get any further information about his army service, I would be very grateful. His service number when he died was 5973 and he was in the 2nd Batallion of the Scots Guards.
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At a glance he would have been at Ypres in Oct. 1914 as part of the BEF.
He wouldn't have re-enlisted. As a reservist in 1914 he would have been recalled.
Are you sure he did 9 on reserve & not 6.
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His Medal card is available from the National Archives: http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D5185375
He is mentioned in De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour and gives the detail you have for rank, service number and battalion. The record also states he served with the Expeditionary Force and was killed in action 28 Oct 1914.
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His effects list shows his NOK as mother Janet + 1 brother & several sisters mostly married.
This gives a good account of what the Battalion were doing from their embarkation & up to the 28/10/1914.
The 2nd. Batt. SG were part of the 20th. Brigade 7th. Div.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01gvj/
He fell fighting at Kruiseke village.