TOPIC:

Private 8689 William Skinner who was attached to the 2nd Bn Wiltshire Regiment from the 3rd Bn, East Surrey Regiment

Hello everyone,

The Wiltshire Regiment museum has this photograph of Pte 8689 William Skinner in its collection. As you can see he is wearing the uniform of the New South Wales Lancers. Therefore, he must have transferred whilst out in South Africa. I believe that this might have happened in 1900, as the Wiltshire's were operating with the NSW Lancers in the Colesberg area in the early part of that year.

I would like to find out more about him, where he came from, when he transferred and what happened to him.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Ian

Ian
There is no William Skinner shown on the roll of the NSWL; nor is there any reference on the Oz-Boer database concerning a man of that name. On the roll of 2Wilts (WO100/197 page 267) it shows "8689 Pte. W.Skinner" as having the clasps CC/OFS/Wittebergen on his QSA and there is no marginal note about any attachment/service with NSWL.
Perhaps your man liked the look of the NSWL uniform when he was serving alongside them and had his picture taken wearing it?
Regards
IL.

Thank you.

Well, that might well have been the case, who knows. I have been intrigued by this since first seeing the photograph.

Kind regards

Ian