1944 - 1949
The definitive research resource for the 1st KOSB from 1944-1949
Blessé au combat
Capt J.T. Skinner, MM
WOUNDED - NORMANDY 1944
183952
COMPANY -
D
Original Regiment joined- (Based on their Service No).
Officer
Date Wounded:
Thursday, 06 July 1944
Location (from War Diary)
BENOUVILLE
Details of wounds - (Based on War Diary etc.)
Acc. to War Diary, Captain Skinner was wounded whilst on Patrol on night of 5th July
HIS STORY
James Thomson 'Skip' Skinner was born in November 1907 in Kirkcaldy, Scotland. His Mother's maiden name was Thomson.
James was awarded the MM (Military Medal) early in the war (1940) whilst he was Platoon Sergeant-Major (W.O. Class III). His original KOSB Service number was 3184169.
In April 1944 he went south with the road advance party for Exercise HANDS UP, the Battalion's move from Selkirk to its pre-invasion camp near Wickham, Hampshire, representing D Company.
'Skip' Skinner would regularly go on night patrols around Cambes with Sjt Fred Hartle.
At the time of his wounds, he had been in the Army for 19 years.
He married Helen Speedie Robertson in 1947 in Kirkcaldy.
He died in July 1982 at the age of 74, in Surrey.
Newspaper article from The Fife Free Press, Saturday, August 5th, 1944.
WAR DIARY
Thursday, 06 July 1944
1st KOSB WAR DIARY - DATE OF WOUNDS
Allied aircraft were seen over CAEN area. Advance party move out in morning to area of BENOUVILLE.
Bn HQ area was subjected to severe shelling but no casualties occurred.
Patrol was sent out under Lieut Robertson, and succeeded in killing enemy machine gunner, identified as PGR (PanzerGrenadier) from 12 SS Div.
Bn commence moving out to new area towards midnight.
