100 years to the day, proud city pays tribute to VC hero
A CENTURY ago, Sergeant Major John Skinner won the Victoria Cross at Passchendaele.
On August 16, 1917, the Scot helped capture scores of enemy soldiers in a raid, despite suffering a head wound.
As King George V pinned the medal to his tunic, he asked him: ‘How did you manage to keep all these prisoners?’
Sgt Maj Skinner replied: ‘Once I get hold of something, I don’t let go.’
Yesterday, family members attended a ceremony to unveil a centenary paving stone in his honour in his home town of Glasgow.
Great-nephew Stewart Skinner, 70, came from Sydney, Australia, to attend the ceremony at the People’s Palace on Glasgow Green.
He said: ‘I’m extremely proud. I always get goosebumps when I talk about him. By all accounts, as well as being incredibly brave, he was full of mischief; drunk on duty, drunk in charge of a horse, women in barracks.’
A War Office press release said: ‘In spite of the fact Skinner had been wounded in the head, he dashed towards the block houses. The first he captured single-handed. He reappeared carrying two machine guns, one under each arm, followed by the garrison as prisoners. He went on to capture the remaining block houses, rounding up 23 more prisoners, three more guns and two trench mortars.’
Sgt Maj Skinner served with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers. His greatniece Myra Grant (nee Skinner), 65, of Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire, said: ‘I was a little bit emotional today.
‘He died six months before my father was born, so obviously none of us knew him. But blood is thicker than water.
‘Standing out in the rain today and unveiling his plaque was the least we could do.’
Glasgow Lord Provost Eva Bolander, who unveiled the stone, said: ‘It was incredible to be involved in this momentous occasion. This stone ensures his remarkable achievements will be remembered.’
On March 17, 1918, Sgt Maj Skinner was killed trying to rescue a wounded man in Belgium. He was 35 years old.