The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

A/CSM E Skiggs

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Acting Company Sergeant Major Edward SKIGGS, 4567, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment. Died 17th October 1917.

Born Woolwich, Kent, enlisted 2nd September 1895, Woolwich, Kent, age 18, height 5ft 8¼ inches, weight 128lbs, resided 9 Lumsden Terrace, Chatham, Kent. Formerly labourer in Telegraph Works.

Previously served 3rd Battalion, (Militia), Royal West Kent Regiment.

Son of John Skiggs, 35 East Street, Charlton, Kent.

Husband of Annie Naomi Skiggs, (nee Steel, spinster), married 14th November 1903, St Michaels, Folkestone, Kent.

Children - Edward Skiggs, born 20th October 1904, Malta, deceased; William Tom Skiggs, born 2nd July 1907, Maidstone, Kent; Kathleen Clara Skiggs, born 20th March 1909, Dover, Kent; Geoffrey Matthew Skiggs, born 11th December 1915, Rochester, Kent.

Home, 2nd September 1895 to 29th November 1897; India, 30th November 1897 to 24th February 1902; Malta, 25th February 1902 to 13th December 1902; Home, 14th December 1902 to 5th April 1904; Malta, 6th April 1904 to 27th December 1906; Home, 28th December 1906 to 14th August 1916.

2nd September 1895, enlisted & posted Depot, Royal West Kent Regiment; 19th November 1895 posted 2nd Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 20th November 1897, posted 1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 26th October 1898, awarded 3rd Class Certificate of Education; 1st April 1899, appointed Lance Corporal; 24th April 1899, awarded 2nd Class Certificate of Education; 6th September 1899, passed Class of Instruction for Corporal; 1st April 1901, promoted Corporal; 13th November 1902, passed Class of Instruction for Sergeant; 19th December 1902, appointed Lance Sergeant; 4th December 1903, reverted to Corporal; 7th April 1904, appointed Lance Sergeant; 27th January 1905, promoted Sergeant; 13th January 1906, Malta, re-engaged for such term as to complete a total service of 21 years; 4th February 1907, posted Depot, Royal West Kent Regiment; 17th February 1909, posted 1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 31st January 1911, Longmoor, passed Mounted Infantry Class of Instruction; 26th October 1912, posted Depot, Royal West Kent Regiment; 26th September 1914, posted 3rd Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment & appointed Acting Company Sergeant Major.

14th August 1916, discharged  as ""no longer physically fit for War Service" due to sickness Silver War Badge issued. 

Pension 14/- a week. Physically unfit, gastric ulcer. Originated in 1903, West Down South, Wiltshire. Since has had constant indegestion. There has been no haemorrhage, but December 08 was in bed for 1 month with vomiting. Medical History sheet shows several illnesses. Bronchitis, boils, sore throat, rheumatic fever, ague, piles, dyspepsia, with dilatation of stomach & tenderness on pressure. Xray reports that an ulcer existed & from the present symptoms it is clear that this ulcer does not satisfactorily heal. Results of ordinary Service, irregular meals, permanent, prevents ½. 

24th August 1916, letter from man applying for an increase, 30/- a week for 12 months, expires 14th August 1917.

10th July 1917, Medical Board, prevents ¼ but will get worse, interim award of 30/- a week for 9 weeks, expires 16th October 1917.

10th September 1917, interim award of 30/- a week for 9 weeks, expires 18th December 1917.

17th October 1917, Pensioner deceased.