Colin Boyd has provided the following:
Robert was born on 7th January 1882.
After previous service in the Royal Navy he was a member of the Royal Fleet Reserve.
He was working as a blacksmith living with his wife, Mary Jane at 21, Addison Street, North Shields when he was called up and posted to the Drake Battalion on 17th September 1914.
Robert was killed in action in Gallipoli on 9th July 1915. Lt. K. R. Dundas RNVR wrote: "Yesterday evening as I was going through the Drake lines a shell burst and killed four men and wounded seventeen."
When Robert's medals were forwarded in 1919 his widow had become Mrs. M. Sheppard.
Robert Skipsey is remembered in North Shields on N34.16 and in Tynemouth on T36.14 page 24