No soldier photo found.
Rank Petty Officer, Writer
Service # V40638
Unit # Navy R.C.N.V.R. Iroquois
Resident Chatham, Ontario, Tilbury Ontario

William was born in Chatham, Ontario on October 5th, 1918.

His next of Kin are his parents, Mr. Charles and Mrs. Chloe Skipper.  P.O. Skipper and his wife (the former Joan Luke) of Victoria, BC., were spending Christmas at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Skipper at Surlingham Farm, Tilbury East, Kent Co., ON.  His sister is Helen Enyd Skipper Forrest, and brothers, James and Robert.

His place of enlistment was Esquimalt, Victoria, B.C.  His address at enlistment is Surlingham Farm R.R. #1  Tilbury, Ontario.  He served on the ship HMCS Iroquois out of Halifax; England, Scotland, Ireland, Montreal in approximately 1944.  In addition to other duties Bill was a clerk, recorded daily activities while on board ship.

Skipper was reported to be on his way home in Tilbury East in February of 1944 after service overseas. CDN 28/02/44  The CDN 17/04/44 reported he and his wife Joan had arrived in Halifax, NS and were living on North Street.

William had recently completed five years of service, his past two Christmas had been at sea in European waters. At the time he was stationed with the rehabilitation staff in Montreal, PQ. CDN 21/12/44  The Merlin Standard 28/12/44 reported that Petty Officer Skipper and his wife were spending the seasons holiday with Mr. and Mrs. Charles Skipper at their Surlingham Farm.  He was the brother of FO Robert C. L. Skipper RCAF.     

Place of Enlistment, Esquimalt, Victoria; Address at Enlistment, Surlingham Farm R.R. #1 Tilbury Ontario; Theatre of Service, Ship Iroquois out of Halifax.

Bill’s daughter writes “My father left Chatham and enlisted in Esquimalt, B.C. in 1939.  In February 1944 he was in England, on the HMCS Iroquois.  In 1944 he sent letters to my mother in Montreal  where he was demobilized.  In 1948 they were living in Victoria, B.C. where he went to Sprott Shaw College.  My father passed away in December 1980 from cancer in North Vancouver, B.C.”

 

Skipper William John 1 Skipper William John 2

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Awards Atlantic Star Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, RVSE2E
Sources TT (30/10/41), NB,, ST., CDN(3)

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