Military service
Burial/memorial information
Son of Andrew Skene and Mary Elizabeth Skene of Aberdeen, Scotland. Husband of Gertrude Emma Sayer of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Father of June Carole Skene. Andrew enlisted on May 6th, 1915 with the 45th Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force, regimental number 425322, fought in France and Belgium with the 8th Battalion, was seriously wounded in action at the Battle of the Somme on September 25th, 1916 and was discharged on August 12th, 1918 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
He enlisted with the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada and transferred on October 21st, 1941 to the 1st Battalion, Winnipeg Grenadiers to fight in Hong Kong with C Force and as a prisoner of war in Japan. He had 1,293 days of service, including 901 overseas.
To commemorate his sacrifice, the Manitoba government named Skene Lake located southeast of Pike Lake in his honor in 1972.
Digital gallery of Private William James Skene
Digital gallery of
Private William James Skene
Digital gallery of
Private William James Skene
Digital gallery of
Private William James Skene
Digital gallery of
Private William James Skene
Image gallery
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 444 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
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YOKOHAMA WAR CEMETERY Japan
YOKOHAMA WAR CEMETERY is 9 kilometres west of the city on Yuenchi-Dori, Hodogaya Ward, which branches left off the old Tokkaido highway. The nearest railway station is Hodogaya, 5 kilometres to the north on the JNR line but the cemetery is easily reached by bus from Yokohama station.
For more information, visit Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
The Poppy Design is a trademark of The Royal Canadian Legion (Dominion Command) and is used with permission. Click here to learn more about the poppy.
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