Born in 1889 at Woodford, son of Joseph (Carman, later Borough Council Road Man) and Maria Skingsley. 1891: With his family at Edward Villas, West Grove, Woodford Green. 1901: A Scholar with his family at 5 Lina Terrace, Horn Lane, Woodford Green. 1911: A Private with 1 Essex stationed in India. The family home had moved to 11 Palmerston Villas, Walpole Road, South Woodford.
He was sent with his Battalion to the Balkans, arriving on 25th April 1915 with the initial British landings around Cape Helles. Strong Turkish opposition severely restricted progress inland from the beach head.
6th August 1915 saw the 4th Battle of Krithia, The previous day 1 Essex were moved into the line, with the objective of advancing 100 yards from Essex Knoll and 50 Yards from Hampshire Cut, so capturing two lines of trenches and a small redoubt. An artillery barrage began at 14.20, but the Turks who were expecting an attack, at once shelled British support and front line trenches causing many casualties. When the advance began at 15.50, two battalions were quickly shattered by machine gun fire, but 1 Essex and 1/5 Manchesters were seen to reach the Turks first line trench. However the weight of Turkish fire stopped their progress towards trench two, forcing men to retreat and take cover in trench one. The attack succeeded in gaining only a small portion of that first trench. By daybreak next day, what was left of 1 Essex was back on Gully Beach. It proved to be the worst day of the war for the Battalion. 200 men were wounded, 263 all ranks were killed - about 463 losses from 700 attackers.
Leonard Skingsley was one of those who did not survive the attack, and he was not recovered from the field of battle.
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Principal Sources:
Ancestry.com
Regimental History