Trafford

Born 1889 at Dunham, the son of Mark & Mary Ann Skelhorn.  In 1881, they
were residing at Sinderland, Dunham with their eldest daughter - Rachel,
aged: 1.

1891 Census - No Trace of the family.

1901 Census - 21 Church Street, Altrincham.     Son - aged: 13 - born:
Dunham, Cheshire.     Head of household - Mark Skelhorn - Married - aged:
46 - occ: General Labourer - born: Dunham,    Also - Mary Skelhorn (Mary
Kidson actually) - Wife - aged: 33 - born: Much Wenlock, Shropshire.   Plus
- 4 siblings.

His father married Mary Kidson in 1905.

1911 Census - Mere Side Farm, Millington.    Servant - Umarried - aged: 22
- occ:  Waggoner on Farm - born: Dunham, Cheshire.   Employed by Peter
Worthington and his family.

Married Annie Sanders during the March quarter 1914 in the Bucklow R.D. -
ref: 8a/299.

In 1911, Annie, also aged: 22, was in service at New Hall Farm,
Millington.

He was later employed by Farmer - John Blackburn, as a Teamsman at Birken
Heath Farm, Rostherne.

Something drastic must have happened to this Battalion on the 22nd November
1917.  Hit by a stray shell perhaps???   Twelve men from the 5th Battalion
died that day - all of them are commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial -
they all have no known grave.

His death was reported in the 25/10/1918 edition of the Altrincham Guardian
which stated that he was from Rostherne.

Received the two basic war medals - BWM & the VM.

In 1920, his widow - Annie, married Frank Belsham, a Baker's Assistant, who
was residing at Millington in 1911.  Frank was the brother of Private
Charles Belsham, killed in action in 1916.