2142 Pte. HERBERT THOMAS SKEHAN

Herbert was born at Melbourne St, Kilmore on January 30, 1889, the eldest son of Patrick and Amy Skehan. He was educated at Assumption College, Kilmore Victoria and graduated Dux in 1909. Up until his enlistment, he was a Clerk in the tobacco trade in Melbourne.

ENLISTED.

He enlisted at Broadmeadows on July 28, 1915, 3/29th Battalion.

Promoted to Acting Corporal December 16, 1915. (Note: At the outbreak of WWI, the minimum height requirement to enlist was 5’6”. Herbert was a half-inch short, so he was not eligible until the minimum was reduced to 5’ 2’ in June 1915.)

Embarked at Melbourne per H.M.T (His Majesty’s Transport) “Ballarat” on February 18, 1916, and disembarked at Suez on March 22, 1916. He was taken on strength ex 3rd Reinforcements. 29th Battalion. April 1, 1916.

Embarked the O.C. (Ocean Class) “Tunisian” at Alexandria on June 16, 1916.

Disembarked at Marseilles on June 23, 1916.

Hospitalised with Influenza from November 17 to 29, 1916, at Etaples (Northern France). Hospitalised with Frost-Bite from February 24 to March 31.

He was transferred to the 5th Army School from May 21 to 27, 1917.

KILLED IN ACTION.

Pte. 2142, Herbert Thomas Skehan. 29th Battalion AIF Killed in Action in the field at Polygon Wood Belgium on September 26, 1917.

EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS.

L/Corporal Stevenson.

[sic] On September 26, 1917, the battalion was at Polygon Wood and in action. He was killed by a shell explosion and was dead when we got to him two minutes after. We had to carry on, and I did not see him again or hear of burial.

Col. W. J. Martin 6779;

[sic] He was in B. Company and the 5th. Platoon. I saw Skehan lying dead in Polygon Wood during the hop-over on September 26. He was left in the rear of our objective and was buried.

Cpl. Marshall, W. J. 779;

He was killed by a shell at Polygon Wood; I saw his body soon after. He was buried in a shell hole near where he fell by a party from the company. No cross was erected at the time; he was a machine gunner and was in No: 5 Platoon, B. Company.

His remains were exhumed and re-buried at Ieper (Ypres) Belgium, DUHALLOW A.D.S. Cemetery.

His name appears on the cenotaph in Hudson Park, Kilmore, Victoria.