Sydney Skelton

Captain Sydney Skelton 1st/5th Battalion The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) died of fever in Iraq on 20th March 1918.

Sydney Skelton was the son of Harry John and Ada Skelton of West Farleigh, Kent.

It was difficult, initially, to find a connection with Woodham Ferrers for Captain Skelton as his Commonwealth War Grave entry mentions that he was the son of Harry John and Ada Skelton of West Farleigh, Kent which was also Sydney’s address stated when probate was taken out on his estate.

According to the census returns in 1891 he was born in Hornsey, Middlesex in about 1888 although later censuses indicate that he was born in Harringay. The war memorial in Woodham Ferrers also lists an A Skelton and a W Skelton also serving but surviving. The A Skelton is probably Allan the husband of Hilda Skelton of Rosewarne Farm, a twelve roomed house, formerly Woodham Lodge, Woodham Ferrers. The house had been renamed as Rosewarne as this was Hilda’s maiden name.

There was a Harry John Skelton listed in Kelly’s Directories for 1914 and 1917 living at Rose Cottage, South Woodham Ferrers. The W Skelton is probably Wilfred the brother of Allan and Sydney but no evidence of a connection with Woodham Ferrers has been found other than Allan’s and Harry’s residence.

The Wye College page of The Kent Fallen website says that he resided at Wynngarth, West Farleigh, Maidstone, Kent. He attended Wye College from 1907 until 1911 and took a National Diploma in Agriculture and the college diploma in 1910, gaining honours in 1911, and also a certificate in Horticulture. After leaving Wye College he purchased Court Lodge Farm at West Farleigh near Maidstone. He was an accomplished musician playing the violin and performed at many college concerts.

Sydney’s medal record shows that he originally served as a lance corporal in the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Yeomanry where he would have enlisted towards the end of 1914. The 1/1st Battalion of the yeomanry served in Gallipoli but Sydney was not with them. He was later commissioned into the East Kent Regiment on 10th January 1916. He served in Mesopotamia from 28th January 1917 and died of fever on 20th March 1918 and is buried in the Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery in Iraq. He was awarded the British War and Victory Medals.

The 1/5th (Weald of Kent) Battalion of The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) was part of 35th Brigade and joined 14th (Indian) Division in May 1916. The 1/1st Battalion of the West Kent Yeomanry served in Gallipoli from October 1915 until January 1916 but Sydney did not serve with them there as he would have qualified for the 1914-15 Star. He was commissioned into The Buffs 10th January 1916 and landed in Mesopotamia 28th January 1917 where the division was serving.

The division was involved in various engagements including the 2nd Battle of Kut 23 February 1917 and the Fall of Baghdad 8th – 11th March 1917 and subsequent engagements up until the 3rd Action of Jabal Hamrin 3-6th December of that year. There is little information about the battalion on line although there is a suggestion that they were the first battalion to enter Baghdad and that Captain G K Harrison raised the Union Flag over the citadel. An armistice with the Ottomans was signed 30th October 1918. The photograph shows the battalion marching at Jabal Hamrin through pretty dusty conditions.

In addition to the war memorial at Woodham Ferrers and The Wye College Memorial he is also remembered on a memorial plaque in West Farleigh, Maidstone, Kent.

Probate was granted to Harry John Skelton at London on 6th September 1918 with effects of £7,069-16-4d (equivalent to £283,000 today). Sydney’s address was given as Court Lodge Farm, West Farleigh, Kent.