Edward John SKINNER
- Born: 1889
- Marriage (1): Mabel Everal WILLS
- Died: 23 Nov 1939, P&O Liner Rawalpindi, At Sea aged 50
- Buried: 23 Nov 1939, Faeroe Islands, At Sea
 General Notes:
Name: SKINNER, EDWARD JOHN
Initials: E J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Petty Officer
Regiment: Royal Navy
Unit Text: H.M.S. Rawalpindi
Age: 52
Date of Death: 23/11/1939
Service No: D/224064
Additional information: Husband of Mabel Everal Skinner, of Exmouth, Devon.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 33, Column 1.
Cemetery: PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
In early November 1939 the Rawalpindi set out from Tilbury to Scapa Flow in North Scotland to escort convoys on the North Atlantic route. On 23 November, disaster struck the Rawalpindi as it was patrolling the North Sea to the north of Faeroe. It was intercepted by the German battleships, Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. The Rawalpindi didn't stand a chance against these superior battleships and after a brave fight was sunk in the cold grey waters. There were 38 survivors, but sadly 238 went down with the ship. This was only the second naval action in WW2.
Edward married Mabel Everal WILLS, daughter of Samuel William WILLS and Laura Elizabeth SMALRIDGE. (Mabel Everal WILLS was born Jun Q 1894 in Teignmouth, Devon, England.)
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