16328 Trooper Robert Henry McSkimming, 2/7/1893-27/11/1917.

On Monday evening Mr R. H. McSkimming, on tho eve of his departure from Patearoa for training with the Fifteenth Reinforcements, was entertained at a social by a large number of friends. Since the declaration of war Mr McSkimming has been eager to get away, but not until now has he found the way free. He is the son of the local postmaster. Mr McAtamney (chairman of the Patearoa Patriotic Association) was in the chair, and on behalf of the public he presented Mr McSkimming with a purse of sovereigns, to which he added a speech of warm commendation. Mr J. Wilson, on behalf of the Cricket Club, presented Mr McSkimming with a handsome gold medal watch pendant, with appropriate inscription, and Mr F. Bleach, on behalf of the Football Club, presented a sum of money and a tobacco pouch. During the evening Mr Miller, a son of Mr Peter Miller, of Dunedin, was presented with a sum of money in recognition of his action in joining the Fifteenth Reinforcements. Mr Miller has been at Patearoa only a short time, but has won many friends.  -Otago Daily Times, 5/4/1916.

Patearoa.

Our hall was filled on Monday night at the social given in honour of Mr R. H. McSkimming on his departure to join the Fifteenth Reinforcements. Mr McAtamney (President Patearoa Patriotic Association) was in the chair, and he expressed his great pleasure at the presence of so many people from all the district around who had come to show the respect in which they held the young soldier. In asking Mr McSkimming to accept from the public a bulging purse, Mr McAtamney paid a high and well deserved tribute to young "Bob's" character as a man and as an athlete, and expressed his decided opinion that whatever fell to his lot to do in the war would be well done. Mr J. Wilson (captain of C.C.) then presented to our young friend a handsome gold medal watch pendant having the inscription; "Presented to R. H. McSkimming by the Patearoa Cricket Club (with best wishes from his clubmates) on his enlistment for the Great War, April 3rd, 1916." Mr Wilson said that the Cricket Club couldn't possibly let Bob go without some recognition of his services to the club and of his ability as a player. The winner on different occasions of the batting and of the bowling averages, it was not his skill as a cricketer that appealed to him (Mr .Wilson) as captain as the sportsman like manner in which he played the game. Bob was also always ready to help in the fixing of the pitch, the carrying of water, and so on, and, whatever part of the field he was sent to, and whether he was taken off or put on bowling, every order was obeyed with the most cheerful readiness. Mr F. Bleach (capt. of F.C.) followed with a sum of money and a tobacco pouch from the football club, of which Bob was the most efficient local product. Mr Bleach's remarks met with much approval but, owing to his quiet speaking voice and to my badly placed position for hearing, his words were unfortunately inaudible to me. Mr Crerar was the only other speaker, and, as one who had known Bob since the latter was a week old, he corroborated every word uttered by the previous speakers, and added some of his own. As regards Bob's truthfulness and straightforwardness, the speaker instanced an occasion, years ago when our schoolboy cricketers, captained by young Bob, won a well played and rather decisive victory against the Naseby juniors. The young skipper asked him, when the game was over, what he ought to say. The advice was "Oh! just say that you ve beaten them, of course, but, just to give them a little encouragement, you know, Bobby, you might suggest that possibly the position might be reversed next time." The victorious leader took two steps to the front and said: "Well chaps. I'm very glad we've beaten you, and I hope we'll give you a bigger thumping next time." Among other things, the speaker said that Bob was afraid of nothing, at least, nothing in trousers. He had been much astonished to hear that Bob had been more than once observed to turn pale and to tremble at the knees when he saw a girl approaching. The only conclusion he could come to was that in this case the theory of heredity didn't fit the facts. Mr McSkimming, in a few manly words, returned thanks to all for their kindness to him, and his father, on behalf of himself and Mrs McSkimming, spoke most fittingly in thanking the public for the honours heaped upon their boy. Songs and dances, mixed with refreshments, carried the night well on. During the evening, the chairman handed to Private Miller (who is joining the 15th) a sum of money scribed by his friends here. Mr McAtamney said that, although Mr Miller had been only a short time here, he was of the opinion that all soldiers, whether native or comparative strangers, were worthy of equal honour, and, from that point of view, he had much pleasure in wishing Mr Miller every success. Mr McSkimming, sen., as old friend of the young soldier's father (Mr Peter Miller, saddler, Dunedin), also spoke some words of appreciation. Last week, private Ed. Griffiths (of whom I wrote before), of the 12th Reinforcements, was presented, during his final leave, with a substantial purse of sovereigns by Mr McAtamney, on behalf of the large number of Mr Griffiths' friends who attended the social given in his honour. Messrs Crerar and McSkimming also spoke appropriately, and a long list of songs and dances was gone through.  -Mt Ida Chronicle, 7/4/1916.

Photo courtesy of the Imperial War Museum.

The military authorities now report that Robt. Henry. McSkimming (Patearoa) of the Camel Corps was killed in action. He was previously reported missing.  -Mt Ida Chronicle, 14/12/1917.

The Official History of New Zealanders in the Imperial Camel Corps, "With the Cameleers in Palestine," describes the activity on the day that Robert McSkimming died:

On November 25 the Fourth Battalion I.C.C., left its quarters near Richon le Zion at 2.30 a.m., and moved across the Plain of Sharon (but no "dewy roses" were apparent) to a position eight miles north-east of Jaffa, known to us as Bald Hill, or Hill 265, where it relieved the Second Battalion. Some Scottish Cameliers whom we relieved told us it was "a good possie," as there was a village a short distance ahead where eggs, milk and oranges could be bought. One of our patrols did visit the place without noticing anything unusual, but it was found afterwards that an advance party of the Turks must have been concealed there while the patrol was passing through.

At this time the British front line, with its left flank resting on the Mediterranean Sea, swung round in a curve, and then ran south-east across the foothills until it faced east in the higher country, where the 52nd and 75th Divisions were forcing the Turks eastwards towards the Jerusalem-Nablus road. Bald Hill was on an exposed part of the curve facing north-east across low ridges running down to a level plain, two or three miles wide, and extending away to the north. This portion of the front line was held by two Brigades of the Anzac Mounted Division, the 161st Brigade of the Infantry and the Imperial Camel Brigade. There was no continuous line, outposts being placed at suitable positions sometimes not within sight of each other. All troops that could be spared were needed for the more difficult task of forcing the enemy up the gorges and steep ridges leading to the plateau on which Jerusalem was situated. The day after (November 26) we entrenched ourselves at Bald Hill, signs of activity could be seen in the enemy’s country. Down the level plain between us and the foothills, reinforcements, artillery, and transport vehicles could be seen advancing from the north for the greater part of the day. They would have made a splendid target for our artillery, but we evidently had none in support of us. Our own guns of the Hong Kong and Singapore Battery were away in support of our forces in the mountain country, so the Turks advanced unmolested. That night was a bright moonlight one and till well on in the morning we were kept awake by a continual howling of jackals in the gullies round about us. Whether it was the moon or the Turks that caused such an outcry we could not tell by further observation as on the following night there was quite a different kind of a disturbance to keep us awake.

When we took over our sector of the line there were no trenches in the position, so we dug in on selected spots on the neighbouring ridges, but dug trenches only long enough to accommodate the small parties into which we were divided. Next morning (November 27) the Turks began to shell our position. Their guns could be seen across the level flat near the foothills in front of us. At first it was interesting to watch for the flash and then duck down and wait for the arrival of the shell, but a whizz-bang or two soon stopped that practice. The bombardment with shrapnel and high explosives was kept on for several hours, and on our left enemy troops could be seen working their way up towards our line. The attack was so fierce that a company on our left flank was compelled to retire. The Turks entered these trenches and began to enfilade the trench next to it which was occupied by a section of the 16th Company. This section put up a stout resistance, but soon their casualties were so heavy that they were ordered to retire to the next ridge, and to keep the line intact; our other two sections on the extreme right in the afternoon were ordered to fall back also. As we were retiring the Sergeant in charge of our section was wounded and had to be assisted back. He was a general favourite with all ranks, being the leader in all the physical activities of the company. He had a considerable sum of money in his belt, and this was known to the men of his section. One of his comrades, evidently wishing to do something to help his wounded Sergeant, innocently asked if he could carry the latter’s money-belt for him. The Sergeant’s sense of humour and knowledge of his man refused to see any selfish motive in the offer. During the retirement another member of the section heard that his Sergeant had been wounded, and returned to the trench to see if he could give any assistance, but finding the trench empty, evidently climbed out again to rejoin his party, when he was struck by a bullet, and fell just behind the trench. He was not missed until later on in the day, but his body was found in the evening untouched by the Turks.

The soldier mentioned above is the only New Zealander reported in the Official History as having died on that day.  It is reasonable to suppose that the soldier was Robert McSkimming.

FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE

DEATHS

McSKIMMING. — On November 28, 1917, killed while in action in Palestine, Robert Henry (Imperial Camel Corps), eldest son of Robert and Ellen McSkimming, Patearoa; aged 26 years. 

'Twas fitting that the young and brave should die 

To build a nation's name;

That strong young hands should mould her destiny 

In an undying fame.   -Otago Daily Times, 23/1/1918.

IN MEMORIAM.

FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE.

McSKIMMING — In loving memory of Corporal R. H. McSkimming, killed in action "Somewhere in Palestine:" November 28, 1917. 

He died as he lived — Noble and brave His life for Freedom's Cause he gave. 

— Inserted by his loving parents, brothers, and sisters. 

McSKIMMING. — In loving memory of Corporal R. H. McSkimming (16th N.Z. Reinforcements), killed in action near Palestine, November 28, 1917. 

The gamest of soldiers are the first to fall. A pal so true and brave 

The fondest, cheeriest, best of all Has found a hero's grave. 

— Sent as a tribute from Palestine by Vincent Bleach and other comrades.  -Otago Witness, 4/12/1918. 

Ramleh War Cemetery, Israel.

Ranfurly Cemetery.