Henry Thomas Skellley AKA: Henry Thomas Skelly: DOB: 28 Oct 1866

[Skelley]

I am doing some family research and am interested in the career of my paternal grandfather; Henry Thomas Skelley.  Grandpa Skelley was a member of the Gordon Highlanders in Scotland and was involved in the Boer War as well as being in India and other foreign postings.  As I understand it he was a Sgt. Major.  Upon retirement he moved to British Columbia where he associated himself with the Seaforth Highlanders in some capacity; remaining so for many years. I have been told that all his medals that he earned while with the Gordon Highlanders are displayed in the Seaforth Highlander Armory in Vancouver, B.C.  Any information that would assist the family in completing the service history would be appreciated.  It is unknown whether he used the name Henry Skelley/Skelly or Thomas Skelley/Skelly. 
Thank-you in advance. 

Wayne Skelley

 

[Michael OLeary]

Could this be him?

Name:  SKELLY, HENRY THOMAS
Rank:  LT
Reference:  RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 8957 - 37
Date of Birth:    28/10/1866

Prior service - 21 years, 3 months; 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders

Attestation form:
Front - http://data2.archives.ca/cef/gat3/100450a.gif
Back - http://data2.archives.ca/cef/gat3/100450b.gif

How to order a copy of a complete service file

 

[Michael OLeary]

London Gazette
Search page - http://beta.gazettes-online.co.uk/AdvancedSearch.aspx?GeoType=London

Gazette Issue 30794 published on the 12 July 1918. Page 11 of 16

British Columbia Regt.
Temp. Lt. H. T. Skelly is [seconded], for duty while holding the appt. as Adjt. 22 Feb. 1918.

Gazette Issue 30253 published on the 24 August 1917. Page 9 of 14

Temp. Lt. H. T. Skelly relinquishes the actg. rank of Capt. 15 May 1917.

Gazette Issue 30152 published on the 26 June 1917. Page 7 of 16

Temp. Lt. H. T. Skelly to be actg. Capt. while spec, empld. 6 Dec. 1916.

 

[Michael OLeary]

From Regiments.org (website currently offline), here are the locations of the 1st Bn Gordon Highlanders between 1881 and 1909:

1881.07.01 1st Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders 
1881      Malta 
  1882      Egypt 
  1884      Sudan 
  1885      Malta 
  1888      Ceylon 
  <1894> India: Subathu 
  1895.03 Chitral expedition 
  1895.08 Subathu? 
  <1897> Gharial 
  1897.06 Tirah 
  1898.04 Gharial 
  1898      Scotland: Edinburgh 
  1899.12 South Africa (19 Bde)
  1902      Scotland: Glasgow 
  1904      Ireland: Cork 
  1909      England: Colchester 

 

[Michael OLeary]

http://www.northeastmedals.co.uk/india_1895_rolls/gordon_highlanders_relief_chitral_3.htm

The India Medal 1895 to the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders

Relief of Chitral 1895 - 1st.Gordon Highlanders. Roll of Individuals entitled to the India Medal of 1895 with clasp "Relief of Chitral 1895" under the terms of Army Order 72 of 1896.

Name         Rank           Number

Skelly, H.T. L/Sergeant 3405

The India Medal 1895

 

[Michael OLeary]

For the First World War, you may find him in the War Diary of the British Columbia Regiment:

Reference: RG9 , Militia and Defence , Series III-D-3 , Volume 4953 , Reel T-10769
File : 486 , Access code: 90
File Title: War diaries - British Columbia Regiment Depot
Outside Dates: 1917/03/10-1919/02/28
Finding Aid number:  9-52

Unfortunately, the page images are not on line at this time.

 

[Michael OLeary]

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