208138 Pte. Arthur William Skilton British Army 1st Battalion The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment from:Epsom (d.21st Jul 1916) After resarching some family history recently, on my mum's side, I discovered my great uncle, Private Arthur William Skilton, 1st Battalion The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment, died of wounds on 21 July 1916 aged 21. During the night of the 21 July 1916, Arthur's division relieved the 7th division, which had earlier in the day attacked and taken part of High Wood up to Black Road. They were holding the line prior to mounting an attack the next day on the trench 'wood lane' in High Wood. This attack on 'Wood Lane' cost the lives of 132 men from the 1st Battalion Royal West Kents. Before the attack took place, Arthur was wounded by a gunshot to his head, most probably by a sniper. He is buried in plot ii.c.53 Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-l'abbe. At the time this was a centre that had several casualty clearing stations. My family and I plan to go to France in the near future and visit his grave.
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