Canadian Virtual War Memorial
William James Skene
In memory of:
Private William James Skene
April 15, 1944
Camp Tsurumi 3D, Yokohama, Japan
Military Service
H/20708
39
Army
Winnipeg Grenadiers, R.C.I.C.
1939-1945 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal 1939-1945, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp.
Additional Information
September 25, 1904
Coulter, Scotland
October 1, 1940
Winnipeg, Manitoba
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.
Commemorated on Page 444 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.
Burial Information
YOKOHAMA WAR CEMETERY
Japan
Sec. B. B. 1.
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.
Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Digital Collection
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Newspaper Clipping – In memory of the men and women memorialized on the pages of the Winnipeg Evening Tribune. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me -
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Photo of WILLIAM JAMES SKENE – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
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Photo of WILLIAM JAMES SKENE – In memory of those who served in Hong Kong during World War 11 and did not come home. Submitted with permission on behalf of the Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association by Operation: Picture Me.
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