Raymond Skinner

Ray was the sixth child born to James and Rosa Skinner of Abernant Farm on Bulmore Road. Ray was born 5th November 1903 and was christened alongside his six siblings at All Saint’s Church in Kemeys Inferior in 1912. Ray was an active child and worked with his brothers on the farm from a young age.

He left school before his 13th birthday and was a vital help at Abernant when his two eldest brothers enlisted in the army. Ray grew into a strong young man and played rugby for Usk seconds. Whilst working at Abernant Farm, Ray developed the skills of a butcher, a trade that he would make into a career. In doing so he followed in the footsteps of his uncle and aunt William and Jessie Locke, who had been butchers on Chepstow Road in Newport.

When his brother Donald took on the management of Abernant in 1931, Ray stayed at the farm and supported his brother throughout the 1930s. As the decade ended, Ray started to spend time living with his uncle George Watkins at Dranllwyn Farm on the old Roman Road, and by the early 1940s this became his permanent address.

In 1936 Ray opened a butcher shop at 111 Caerleon Road in Newport and was listed in the Johns Newport Directory of that year. He was described as a well-liked member of the local business community and the shop became an institution on Caerleon Road for almost 40 years. Ray also farmed pastureland in Goldcliff for many years.

As WWII broke out Ray was working in the reserved occupations of farmer and butcher but wanted to serve his country and joined the Langstone Patrol. As the threat of invasion seemed less likely, the requirement for the Auxiliary Units passed. In November 1944 they were ordered to stand down. The Monmouthshire Area and Group Commanders organised a Christmas meal at stand down 1944 which Ray attended. Ray made friends for life in the
Patrol and was proud of his time with them.

In April 1947, Ray, now aged 43, married 23-year-old Dulcie May Nicholas at St John’s Church in Maindee. The newly-weds lived for a short while in Goldcliff as well at various addresses in Newport. The couple had one child: Paulette born in 1948. For much of their married life, they lived with Ethel Nicholas, Dulcie’s elderly mother, they divorced in 1966.

Ray died in hospital 9th February 1974 from injuries sustained in a road traffic accident near Pontypool. At the time he was living in Goldcliff and still working at his shop on Caerleon Road. Ray was cremated at the Gwent Crematorium and his ashes lie in the peaceful Garden of Remembrance.