William Skinner was born in St. Thomas, Ontario, on January 2, 1897. He was the grandchild of Angus and Mary McRury (both originally of Scotland), who were living Point Edward, Ontario. William was raised by his grandparents after his own mother and father died when he was an infant. William was also the nephew of Miss Sarah McRury, of 175 North Front Street, Sarnia, and Mrs. George Culley, L. McRury and Mrs. D.J. McRury, of the city of Sarnia. William enlisted October 26, 1915 in Sarnia with the Depot Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles. At the time of his enlistment, William was living with his grandparents in Point Edward. He listed his occupation as machinist and that he was single.
William went overseas with the Mounted Rifles, became a member of the Army, Canadian Light Horse, with the rank of Trooper, but was later transferred to the artillery. On November 7, 1917, William would lose his life while fighting in Belgium and has no known grave. William Skinner would officially be listed as, Killed in Action. Twenty-year old William Skinner is memorialized on the Menin Gate (Ypres) Memorial, Belgium, Panel 10. William Skinner’s name is also inscribed on the plaque on the Memorial in the Village of Point Edward.
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, L, N, 2C, 2D, 2G