"CAPTAIN P. W. SKELLEY. Advice has been received in Wellington of the death of Captain Percy William Skelley, who died as the result of wounds received while on active service in France. Captain Shelley, who leaves a widow and three children, was a member of the D Battery, N.Z.F.A., for a number of years before he became a staff officer. Starting as a gunner it was 13 years before he accepted a commission, which he held for two years. On March 17th, 1911, he was appointed lieutenant and adjutant of the 9th East Coast Regiment on July 8th, 1911. In 1913 he was appointed officer in charge of No. 7 Group Area, and was promoted to captain on April 1st, 1914. In November 26th, 1914, he was appointed assistant adjutant-general at General Headquarters; and left New Zealand on December 6th, 1916, with the 20th Reinforcement. Captain Skelley was attached to the Rifle Brigade, and was promoted to the rank of major (temporary) on March 31st, 1917, while employed on administrative staff as officer of the Infantry Reserve Group. On December 30th, 1917, he relinquished the positions of D.A.A. and Q.M.G., and was a. member of the Brigade Staff when wounded. Captain Skelley was a popular officer and belonged to a well-known Wellington family. His brother Lieutenant Claude H. T. Skelley, went away with the 10th Reinforcement on March 18th, 1916, and was attached to the N.Z. Rifle brigade. On returning to the Dominion in September, 1917, he was appointed assistant provost marshal of the Otago district on November 12th, 1917."[New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 9998, 15 June 1918, Page 3]