Brothers 7th June 1944: N.W.G. Skinner and H.J Skinner ,Royal Army Service Corps

Remembered during the D-Day memorial ,Portsmouth

Captain SKINNER, NORMAN WILLIAM GEORGE
Service Number 264083

Died 07/06/1944

Aged 38

Royal Army Service Corps

Son of John Henry and May Skinner; husband of Gladys Florence Skinner, of Hillingdon, Middlesex.



INSCRIPTION
HE DIED THAT WE MIGHT LIVE

Buried at HERMANVILLE WAR CEMETERY

Location: Calvados, France
Number of casualties: 903

Cemetery/memorial reference: 1. D. 16.



https://images.findagrave.com/photos/2016/95/56491398_1459881612.jpg

 

Hi CL1,

Details of Captain Skinner's death is recorded in WO171/2232 - 21 Tpt Coln RASC War Diary:

"7 June 1944 Hermanville
The work of organising the beach exits and entrances and of clearing the beaches are quickly put into operation at Dawn.
CRASC attended Commander 101 Beach Sub Area Conference and Ferry Control Conference (Morning and evening).
Owing to tactical situation B.M.A. as laid down in the First Key Plan could not be established. Depots were opened in Sector Stores Dumps.
The beach was repeatedly attacked and machine-gunned by enemy craft, one bomber being shot down by A.A. 25 yards from CRASC HQ; no casualties to H.Q.
Queen Red and Queen White beaches were opened. Anchorage again smoked. Smoke plan made in England worked very successfully.
During the night Beach was again bombed. The O.C.299 G.T. Coy (Major Person), 2 Capts (Capt. Skinner and Capt. McAngus) and 2 Corporals were killed by direct hit on DUKW Control Post."

Regards

Tom

 

His brother was killed on the same day


Howard John Skinner (W) Sergeant, Royal Army Service Corps, died 7 Jun 1944, aged 32 Norman William George Skinner (W) Captain, Royal Army Service Corps, died 7 Jun 1944, aged 38. Both are buried in Hermanville War Cemetery in Normandy. The village of Hermanville lies behind Sword Beach, where British troops landed on D-day, 6 June. The cemetery contains 1,003 war dead, most of whom died on 6 June or during the first days of the drive to Caen. Norman, born 1906, and Howard, born 1912, were the sons of John Henry and May Skinner of 147, Friern Barnet Lane (the house which is now the Rectory). Norman was married in 1936 to Gladys Florence Woods. They had two children. Newspaper obituaries: Killed in France in June 1944 Capt N W G (Togo) Skinner, husband of Gladys (née Woods) and 2nd son of Mr & Mrs J H Skinner of Friern Barnet Lane Skinner Lance Sgt Howard John Skinner RASC of Friern Barnet Lane killed in action in North West Europe on the same day as his brother Togo Parish magazine, August 1944: “Capt Norman Skinner and L/Sgt Howard Skinner,


http://www.friern-barnethistory.org.../War_Memorials/Second-World-War-Memorials.pdf

Serjeant SKINNER, HOWARD JOHN
Service Number T/223373

Died 07/06/1944

Aged 32

Royal Army Service Corps

Son of John Henry and May Skinner, of Whetstone, Middlesex.


INSCRIPTION
YOU ARE ALWAYS WITH US, HOWARD. MOTHER, FAMILY AND FRIENDS

 

1939 Register
45 Beechwood Avenue, Ruislip-Northwood U.D., Middlesex

Name - DOB - Occupation - Marital status
Norman W G Skinner - 04 Dec 1905 - Insurance Superintendent - Married (HAC Infantry Reg)
The record for this person is officially closed.
George A P Bull - 04 Nov 1899 - Insurance Official - Married
Elsie G Harford (Bull) - 01 Aug 1910 - Female - Unpaid Domestic Duties Married




1939 Register
147 Friern Barnet Lane, Friern Barnet M.B., Middlesex

Name - DOB - Occupation - Marital status
John H Skinner - 18 Sep 1876 - Joint Managing Director Royal London Mutual ? - Married
May Skinner - 04 May 1878 - Unpaid Domestic Duties - Married
John D F Skinner - 28 Aug 1904 - Bank Clerk - Married (ARP Warden)
Alan A Skinner - 05 Dec 1909 - Bank Clerk - Single (ARP Warden)
Howard J Skinner - 18 Dec 1911 - Bank Clerk - Single

 

It looks to me like Sgt Skinner was serving in 536 Coy RASC (General Transport) when he was killed (source: WO171/2493):

7 June 1944 La Riviere
HQ lorries and breakdowns arrived. 2 DUKWS damaged on mines, causing the death of LSgt SKINNER (A pl) and injuries to Major HURMAN. Major HURMAN evacuated to England. Capt Hall assumed command of unit. First coasters arrived and unloaded by DUKWS in Initial Dump Area.

Regards

Tom

 

My Great-Uncle was the OC of Captain Skinner's Company, he's buried next to him.