Arthur Edward Skipper
Mayor of Oxford 1941/2
Arthur Edward Skipper (1874–1964) was born at Kings Lynn in Norfolk and educated at St John’s School there.
He married Lydia Roles (known as Lillie) at Petersfield in Hampshire in 1899, and the 1901 census shows the couple living in Swindon at 2 Euclid Street. Arthur, then aged 26, was a grocer’s assistant. They had four children:
- Gladys Skipper (born in Swindon in c.1902)
- Arthur Skipper (born in Swindon in c.1904)
- Marjorie Skipper (“Mollie”, born in Swindon in c.1905)
- Minnie Skipper (born in Swindon in c.1906).
Early in 1911 the family came to Oxford, where Skipper started business as a credit grocer with a capital of £19. The 1911 census shows them living at 2 Bedford Street
In 1920 Skipper was a founder member of the Oxford Credit Traders’ Association. He was also a member of the YMCA and a supporter of its literary and debating society.
Skipper’s wife Lillie died in 1921.
In 1923 Skipper was elected Liberal councillor for the East ward of the city council, and acted as Chairman of the Public Assistance Committee. He was elected Sheriff of Oxford for 1938/9, and Deputy Mayor for 1940/1.
In 1941 Skipper was elected Mayor of Oxford (for 1941/2).
Skipper died at his home at 15 Wykeham Crescent in Cowley on 10 April 1964 at the age of 89.
See also:
- Oxford Times, 17 April 1964, p. 11d (obituary)
- 1901 Census: Swindon (St Paul’s), 1909/57