On the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium, is the name of 1937 Private Robert Skelton, serving with the 1st/7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, who died 19/06/1915.

The husband of Margaret Jackson (formerly Skelton), of 2, Greenfield Terrace, Amble, Northumberland.

David Thompson has submitted the following:-

Robert Skelton was born in 1889, at Jarrow on Tyne, County Durham.

Pre-enlistment occupation:  Coal Miner.

Enlisted in 1914, along with his brother, at Alnwick, Northumberland.

The family story is that Skelton was killed when he answered a continuous call of ‘Bob’ made by who he thought was one of his comrades in trouble.  He put his head over the trench parapet to see who was calling to him only to be shot through the head by a German sniper.  He was buried where he fell.

The Newcastle Journal 05/07/1915 reports:-
Chevington Drift Man’s Death. Mrs Skelton, 43, Simonside Terrace, Chevington Drift, has received intimation that her husband, Private Robert Skelton, was killed action, in France, June 19.

Morpeth Herald 02/07/1915 carries the following:
Mr and Mrs Martin French, of 5 Low Main Place, Cramlington Village, have received a telegram to the effect that their son-in-law, Private Robert Skelton, of the 7th N.F., has been killed in action in France. Private Skelton, who was 24 years of age, leaves a wife and one child.
and
Private R. Skelton, 7th N.F., was killed in action in France on June 23rd. He was the son of Mrs. Skelton, of Chevington Drift.

Robert Skelton is remembered at Chevington on C27.01 and C27.02 in East Chevington on E7.01 and E7.02 and in the Battalion History