Trafford

Born on the 31st December 1881 and his birth registered during the March
quarter 1881 in the in the Altrincham R.D. - ref: 8a/177, the eldest son of
John Henry & Elizabeth Skelhorn (nee Newbigging).  Birth registered in the
name of ARCHIE Skelhorn.

1881 Census - 51 Police Street, Altrincham.  (Family listed under the name
of Skelhorne)  Son - aged: 3 months.   Head of household - Henery Skelhorn
- Married - aged: 26 - occ: Labourer - born: Millington, Cheshire.   Also -
Elizabeth Skelhorn - Wife - aged: 27 - born: Scotland.  Plus 1 elder
sister.

1891 Census - 40 Police Street, Altrincham.   Son (listed as Archie B.
Skelhorn) - aged: 10 - Scholar - born: Altrincham.  Head of household -
Henry Skelhorn - Married - aged: 35 - occ: Stoker at Gas Works - born:
Millington, Cheshire.   Also - Elizabeth Skelhorn - Wife - aged: 36 - born:
Scotland.  Plus 6 siblings, including his younger brother - Thomas who was
also killed in WW1.

Attended St. Margaret's C.of E. School.

1901 Census - 40 Police Street, Altrincham.   Son (listed as Archibald
Skelhorn) - aged: 20 - occ: Bricklayer - born: Altrincham.  Head of
household - Harry Skelhorn - Married - aged: 48 - occ: Bricklayer's
Labourer - born: Altrincham, Cheshire.   Also - Elizabeth Skelhorn - Wife -
aged: 47 - born: Scotland.  Plus 7 siblings, including his younger brothers
- Thomas & Samuel who were also killed in WW1.   His maternal uncle is
listed as is a visitor.

Attended the Altrincham Presbyterian Mission Hall.    Employed by Mr.
Samuel Crossley, Stamford New Rd, Altrincham the later at the Richmond Gas
Stove & Meter Co, Grappenhall, Warrington.

1911 Census - No Trace - Just arrived in Canada.

Sailed from Liverpool to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on the S.S.
Corinthian on the 11th March 1911, arriving on the 21st.   He was sailing
on his own - unmarried - occ: Labourer.

His father - John Henry Skelhorn died in 1914, aged: 61.

He was residing at 615 Helen Street, Port Arthur, Ontario, Canada at the
time of his enlistment.   His Canadian attestation form, signed on the 8th
July 1916, at Port Arthur, Ontario, states that he was aged 34 years 7
months, 5 feet 6 inches in height, had a 33½ to 35½/ inch chest (fully
expanded).   His complexion was - fair, his eyes - grey and his hair -
brown.    The papers also state that he was a Stationary Fireman by trade
and that he had previously served  for 3 months in the 96th Regiment.  
Enlisted into the 141st Overseas Battalion, C.E.F., which was a unit in the
Canadian Expeditionary Force, based in Fort Frances, Ontario.  The unit
began recruiting in late 1915 in Rainy River district of northern Ontario. 
 After sailing to England in April 1917, the battalion was absorbed into
the 18th Reserve Battalion on the 7th May 1917.  He was posted to the front
in September 1917. 

Religion - C of E.   He was married and his wife - Sarah Skelhorn, 615
Helen Street, Port Arthur, Ontario, was listed as his next of kin.   When
he was killed, he left a widow and 4 children.   At the time of his death,
his mother was living in Canada.

Mrs Mostyn lived at 40 Police St, Altrincham.    Archie Skelhorn was her
eldest brother.    Her husband was serving in the South Lancashire Rgt.   
Her two other brothers - Private Samuel Skelhorn, Cheshire Rgt and Private
Sam Skelhorn, Canadians had also been killed.     Her youngest brother -
Private Matthew Skelhorn was a POW.    Her brother in Law - Private John
Houghton was also serving at the front.   See local newspaper report
18/12/1917.

M.I. - "Gone but not forgotten by loving wife and children.  Rest in
Peace".