The Skelton children in Woodford, Essex (1907)

Earlier this month I published a story on Henry and Benjamin Skelton both of whom lost their lives in the final six weeks of the First World War. This weekend I obtained a postcard which I believe shows the four Skelton children in 1907.

postmarked Woodford Green and posted 6 Dec 1907

The postcard was sent by Mary and Benjamin Skelton of Woodford in Essex to Frances, the wife of Richard Skelton (Benjamin’s brother) in Armstrong, BC. The postmark shows it was posted from Woodford Green in Essex on December 6, 1907. At that time Henry Skelton, the eldest, was 10 years old while his younger brother Benjamin was 7. Richard was 4 and the youngest, Anthony, was just one year old. The Skelton’s only daughter, Myria, died in 1902 aged two. Richard and Frances emigrated to Canada in 1907 and this postcard of their nephews was likely sent just in time for Christmas.

Henry became a 2nd Lt. in the 11/Lancashire Fusiliers and died on October 2nd 1918. Benjamin was a 2nd Lt. in the 10/Essex Regiment and died on November 7 1918. Richard and Frances had a son named Holley who was conscripted in May 1918 and survived the war.