Auxiliary Fireman Harry Richard Skinner was born on 8 December 1908 in Southwark, the third of the six children of John William Skinner (1874-1934) and Louise Skinner née Spratley (1879-1959). His father was a Horse Keeper for a Wholesale Grocer. On 23 December 1908 he was baptised at All Saints Church, Newington, Walworth and the baptismal register shows that the family resided at 2 Bowling Green Lane, Newcomen Street, Walworth.
In the 1911 census he is shown as still living at 2 Bowling Green Lane with his parents and siblings John Frederick Skinner (1905-1940), Louise Elizabeth Skinner (1907-1996) and Charles William Skinner (1910-1987). He had two younger sisters: Nina Skinner (1913-2005) who was born on 17 December 1913 and Maud Skinner (1915-1919 ) who was born 7 October 1915. Electoral registers confirm 2 Bowling Green Lane remained his home until 1934 when his father died.
At some point he moved to 18 Westbury Avenue, Wood Green, London, N.22. and this was his address when he was injured as a fireman in the Auxiliary Fire Service as result of enemy action, aged 32 years, on 17 April 1941 at Costain House, Upper Woburn Place, London, W.C.1. He died later the same day at the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital, Euston Road, London, N.W.1.
He is also commemorated in the Civilian War Dead Roll of Honour 1939-1945 located just outside St George's Chapel at the west end of Westminster Abbey.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
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