Harold Skilling's Letters From World War One

Letters home from Harold Skilling who served in the 5th Field Ambulance Corps of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces. During the Battle of the Somme on September 28, 1916, he was wounded in the abdomen while rescuing a wounded German soldier. He was invalided to England and when he had recovered, became a Flight Cadet with The Royal Flying Corps and received his temporary Commission as a 2nd Lt. on October 29, 1918. The war was over 13 days later, before he could fly any missions.

Showing posts with label bell tent. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

25 June 1915 Otterpool Camp, Kent, England

Harold writes to his parents in Teeswater, Ontario from Otterpool Training Camp where he is living in a bell tent.

Harold Skilling front right
Otterpool Camp
1915

Harold Skilling's Family

Parents: John Skilling and Agnes Ruxton

Florence Elizabeth (Floss) -- Born December 6, 1878
Eugenia Maude (Maude) -- Born June 29, 1881
Orville Ruxton -- Born June 16, 1883
Marion Emma (Mae) -- Born June 2, 1885
Gertrude Edna (Gert) -- Born April 14, 1887
William Milton (Bill) -- Born August 20, 1889
(see: http://www.morelettersfromww1.blogspot.com/)
John Alexander -- Born April 28, 1891 -- Died May 1, 1891
Harold Roy -- Born July 31, 1893
Agnes Norma -- Born July 25, 1896
Vernon David -- Born August 8, 1900

*Etta Redburn was Harold's high school sweetheart

Harold R. Skilling

Harold Skilling was born in Teeswater, Ontario on July 31, 1893, the eighth child of Agnes Ruxton and John Skilling. He enlisted in The Canadian Expeditionary Forces on November 21, 1914, a year before his older brother William Milton Skilling, and joined the 5th Ambulance Corps.

Harold saw some bloody action on the Western Front. He was wounded September 28, 1916 during the Battle of the Somme, suffering shrapnel wounds to his abdomen and liver.

He was invalided to England and after a period of rest and rehabilitation, transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and trained to be a pilot on the Sopwith Camels. The war ended just after he completed training and received his wings.

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Tuesday, January 15, 2013

25 June 1915 Otterpool Camp, Kent, England