Name
Stanley Oliver Skeggs
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
26/10/1917
27
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
235076
South Staffordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Panel 90 to 92 and 162 to 162A.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Primitive Methodist Church Memorial, Watford, Watford Printers Memorial, Watford, Sun Engraving Company Memorial, Watford, Not on the Markyate memorials
Pre War
Stanley was the son of Elizabeth (nee Jarman) and the late James Skeggs; and husband of Grace (nee EAST) Skeggs.
His parents were married on 23 Dec 1871 at St Mary’s, Redbourn, Herts. James died in 1916 in Watford aged 72, and was buried 19 April in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Elizabeth died in 1919 in the Luton, Beds, district aged 72.
Stanley Oliver was born 1890 in Markyate, Herts, and was baptised on 6 Apr 1890 at St John the Baptist, Markyate.
On the 1891 Census, the family of parents, Daisy (born 1875), a straw Hat Finisher, Annie (born 1878), Thomas (born 1876), Archibald (born 1878), Edith (born 1880), Kate (born 1884), Norman (born 1886), Olive (born 1888) and Stanley were living in New Town Flamstead.
On the 1901 Census, he still lived in Markyate, with his parents, Annie, Thomas, a carpenter, Archibald, a butcher, Catherine (Kate), a dressmaker, Olive, Stanley and adopted daughter Ethel Evans (born 1890) were living at the Horse and Groom, New Town , Markyate. His father was a grocer and licensee.
On the 1911 Census, the Family of parents, Annie, Olive, a folder print works, Stanley, plate maker print works, were living at 57, Vicarage Road, Watford. Also recorded was Marmaduke Lock, a lodger & print clerk.
Wartime Service
No Service record was found for Stanley who was enlisted in Watford as Private 202720 Essex Regiment. At some time he was transferred to 1st Battalion , South Staffordshire Regiment as Private 235076. 1st Battalion were part of 7 Division .which had been in France since 1914. He probably joined them in 1917 and may have been present at the Battles of Arras in Apr 1917 and 3rd Ypres (Passchendaele) including the Battles of Polygon Wood (26 September – 3 October), Broodseinde (4 October) and The Battle of Poelcapelle (9 October).
Stanley was reported killed in action on 26 Oct 1917, the opening day of the Battle of Passchendaele ( 26 October – 10 November). His remains were not recovered and he is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial. Ypres.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £3 and arrears of £3 6s 8d was paid to his widow, who also received probate of £139 15s. His mother was still trying to find him in May 1919. She received a letter from The British Red Cross and Order of St. John stating they had asked all the men of his unit whom they were able to see together with released prisoners but learnt nothing.
Stanley Oliver Skeggs and his brother-in-law Benjamin East are also commemorated on the family headstone in Watford Cemetery. Their part of the inscription reads:
Also of BENJAMIN EAST SON OF THE ABOVE [Arthur & Emily East),
WHO DIED FOR HIS COUNTRY ON 0CT. 31ST 1914. AT WARWICK BELGIUM. AGED 25.
AT REST
Also in Loving Memory of
STANLEY OLIVER SKEGGS WHO GAVE HIS LIFE FOR HIS COUNTRY OCT. 26TH 1917, AGED 27.
Unfortunately, Stanley’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
