ISAAC JAMES SKIPPER
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Born: 1884, East Dereham, Norfolk.
Died: 25th October 1917; age 33; KiA.
Evening Star – Friday, 30th November 1917 – Mrs. Skipper, of 69, Surrey Road, Ipswich, has received information that her husband, Fitter Isaac James Skipper, of the R.F.A., was killed in action on the 29th October. He had been through many battles.
Norfolk News – Saturday, 17th November 1917 – Fitter Isaac James Skipper, Royal Field Artillery, was killed on the 29th October. He was a married man, with one child, and was the son of Mr. Robert Skipper, of Crown Road, East Dereham, who has two other sons in the Army. This makes the fiftieth Dereham man who has lost his life in the war, including 23 missing, who have not been accounted for. The total casualties for the town to date amount to 228.
Residence: 69, Surrey Road, Ipswich.
Enlistment Location: Ipswich.
Rank: Fitter; Service Number: 889608.
Regiment: Royal Field Artillery, ‘C’ Battery, 76th Army Brigade.
Medals Awarded: Victory & British War.
Grave Reference:
III.E.37.
West- Vlaanderen,
Belgium.
Isaac was killed at the same moment as John Arthur Lawrence and Lawrence Monks.
JOHN ARTHUR LAWRENCE, Gunner, 711553, for the Royal Field Artillery, ‘C’ Battery, 76th Army Brigade. John was born in 1894, in Leicester, Leicestershire, the son of Arthur Henry Lawrence and Annie Lawrence (nee Griffiths), of Canton, Cardiff, Wales. In January 1917, at Colchester, Essex, Lawrence married Eva Grace Watts, of 10, Llanfair Road, Canton. John was employed as a motor body builder for Messrs. James Howell & Co., Canton.
LAWRENCE MONKS, Driver, 189445, for the Royal Field Artillery, ‘C’ Battery, 76th Army Brigade. Larence was born on New Year’s Day, 1898, in Leeds, Yorkshire, the only son of Oliver Monks and Mary Ellen Monks (nee Hall), of Wallasey, Cheshire. Oliver Lawrence was Chief Engineer of the S.S. Northland, of the Red Star Line, and the Monks’ family were based in Antwerp, Belgium, where, after Ashville College, Harrogate, Lawrence received his education.
CENSUS
1891 9, Nursery Buildings, East Dereham, Norfolk.
Isaac was 6 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
Robert Skipper, 41, a Bricklayer, born Shipdham, Norfolk.
Ann mary Skipper (nee Patrick), 36, born North Creake, Norfolk.
Gertrude Clara Skipper, 11, born East Dereham, Norfolk.
Alice Alma Skipper, 8, born East Dereham.
Fanny Louisa Skipper, 4, born East Dereham.
May Skipper, 1, born East Dereham.
1901 9, Nursery Buildings, East Dereham, Norfolk.
Isaac was 16 years old, a Carpenter’s Apprentice. He was living with his parents & siblings.
Robert, 51, a Bricklayer & Carpenter.
Ann, 47.
Fanny, 14, a Mother’s Help.
May, 12.
Walter David Skipper, 10, born East Dereham.
Agnes Sibyl Skipper, 7, born East Dereham.
Sidney Harold Skipper, 5, born East Dereham.
Charlie Skipper, 1, born East Dereham – died 1908, East Dereham.
On the 10th January 1916, at All Saints Church, Ipswich, 31 year old Isaac, a Gunner for the R.F.A., married 32 year old Esther Eliza Godbold, born November 1883, Stowmarket, Suffolk, a domestic servant at The Moat, Tuddenham Road, Ipswich – daughter of James Godbold, a tanner, and Emma Godbold (nee Miller), of 69, Surrey Road, Ipswich
Esther and Isaac had one daughter:
Doris Angela Skipper, born 27th November 1916, at 69, Surrey Road, Ipswich and was baptised on the 10th January 1917, at All Saints Church, Ipswich. Isaac was recorded as a Fitter for the R.F.A.
Soldiers’ Effects to Esther Eliza Skipper – widow.
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