Date of Birth: 28/03/1883
Place of Birth: Boggabri, New South Wales, Australia
Date of Death: 21/05/1979
Place of Death: Wollstonecraft, New South Wales, Australia
Qualifications, occupations and interests
Railway officer. Educated at Boggabri public school; at age fifteen entered the office of E.F Guest, stock and station agent, Boggabri; joined Railways department in 1898, became a trainee telegraphist at Boggabri from 1898 - 1900 and became a junior porter and clerk in Newcastle district 1900 - 1903, clerk and night officer, station master at Matong 1911 - 1912, Jerilderie 1912 - 1913, Boggabri 1913 - 1916, Carrathoul 1916 - 1919, Goulburn 1919, Cockle Creek 1919 - 1922; railway officers' representative on Superannuation Board 1922 - 1931; founded Railway and Tramway Employees Associated Agency in 1927 which amalgamated with Permanent Way Association to become the Railway and Tramwaymen's Service Association (later National Union of Railwaymen of Australia) New South Wales assistant secretary in 1929, first general president in 1930, federal secretary in 1932; edited 'Railway Advocate' in 1940; launched Eventide Homes Appeal, secretary and manager 1946 - 1965; Oddfellow, formed Boggabri branch of United Friendly Societies in 1915, president; formed Railway and Tramway Protestant League in c.1922; Orangeman, Grand Master in 1930; New South Wales Prohibition Alliance, treasurer 1969 - 1976, general secretary 1969 - 1970; member of Protestant Federation; Methodist of New South Wales conference in 1914, Australian conference in 1923, lay preacher.
Personal
Son of John Skelton, fettler, and Margaret Seckold. Married (1) Annie Gray in 1904 and had issue, 3 daughters and 1 son. Married (2) Alexie Stewart in 1916 at Boggabri and had issue, 3 daughters and 3 sons.