Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery

History Information (Source: CWGC) 

For much of the First World War, Vlamertinghe (now Vlamertinge) was just outside the normal range of German shell fire and the village was used both by artillery units and field ambulances. Burials were made in the original Military Cemetery until June 1917, when the New Military Cemetery was begun in anticipation of the Allied offensive launched on this part of the front in July. Although the cemetery continued in use until October 1918, most of the burials are from July to December 1917.

 

The cemetery now contains 1,812 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.

 

Served with

  • United Kingdom (1602)
  • Canadian (154)
  • Australian (44)
  • German (5)
  • South African (3)
  • New Zealand (1)

Served in

  • Army (1794)
  • Air Force (13)
  • Miscellaneous (1)
  • Navy (1)
Vlamertinghe New MC
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VICTORIA CROSS

Company Serjeant Major John Kendrick SKINNER - 6895 - 1st Bn. King's Own Scottish Borderers

Died 17 March 1918 Age 35

Country of Service: United Kingdom

Awards: Victoria Cross, Distinguished Conduct Medal

Skinner London Gazette
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Citation

An extract from the Second Supplement to the London Gazette dated 14th Sept., 1917, recording the award of V.C., reads- "For most conspicuous bravery and good leading. Whilst his company was attacking, machine gun fire opened on the left flank, delaying the advance. Although C.S.M. Skinner was wounded in the head, he collected six men, and with great courage and determination worked round the left flank of three blockhouses from which the machine gun fire was coming, and succeeded in bombing and taking the first blockhouse single-handed; then, leading his six men towards the other two blockhouses, he skilfully cleared them, taking sixty prisoners, three machine guns, and two trench mortars. The dash and gallantry displayed by this warrant officer enabled the objective to be reached and consolidated."

Grave Reference: XIII. H. 15.

(Source: Wikipedia)