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General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: normandy1944 on Wednesday 24 July 13 19:28 BST (UK)

Title: maxwell ernest skinner royal engineers ,somaliland scouts,mpbw doe.
Post by: normandy1944 on Wednesday 24 July 13 19:28 BST (UK)

I am trying to get some military service history on my father from early life through ww2 and post war government service. any recollections or memories would be much appreciated.

Title: Re: maxwell ernest skinner royal engineers ,somaliland scouts,mpbw doe.
Post by: CaroleW on Wednesday 24 July 13 23:10 BST (UK)

Hi

Just adding this info

He was born 1924 and died 1983 Bournemouth

Which regiment did he serve with in WW2?  Do you know his service number?

Re: his post war employment.  What does mpbw stand for?  Presume doe is Department of Employment?

Title: Re: maxwell ernest skinner royal engineers ,somaliland scouts,mpbw doe.
Post by: barryd on Wednesday 24 July 13 23:44 BST (UK)

Ministry of Public Business and Works

Title: Re: maxwell ernest skinner royal engineers ,somaliland scouts,mpbw doe.
Post by: alanmack on Wednesday 24 July 13 23:59 BST (UK)

Ministry of Public Buildings and Works (always referred to as Ministry of Public Blunders and Wonders by my MOD colleagues  ;D). Became Department of the Environment later.

Alan

Title: Re: maxwell ernest skinner royal engineers ,somaliland scouts,mpbw doe.
Post by: CaroleW on Thursday 25 July 13 00:05 BST (UK)

Thanks Alan - abbreviations can be very misleading. 

So doe was Department of the Environment - not Department of Employment

Title: Re: maxwell ernest skinner royal engineers ,somaliland scouts,mpbw doe.
Post by: alanmack on Thursday 25 July 13 08:42 BST (UK)

I forgot to add last night that the Department of the Environment, who took on the building management etc., were known as The Destroyers of Everything.  :o :D :D :D

Alan

Title: Re: maxwell ernest skinner royal engineers ,somaliland scouts,mpbw doe.
Post by: normandy1944 on Thursday 25 July 13 11:18 BST (UK)

Hi all,thank you for all your interesting info on my father, the nicknames of the departments are new to me so thanks for that. the birth and died dates are correct so its my dad for sure. the regiment was the royal engineers and latterly the Somaliland scouts where I then came on the scene.I would love to see my place of birth but not to safe a place to visit.!! thanks again for all repllys. phil. 

Title: Re: maxwell ernest skinner royal engineers ,somaliland scouts,mpbw doe.
Post by: wyndham on Thursday 25 July 13 21:06 BST (UK)

Sorry to be pedantic  but the MPBW became the Property Services Agency (PSA) and was part of the Department of the Environment.  Thatcher was responsible for its demise.

Title: Re: maxwell ernest skinner royal engineers ,somaliland scouts,mpbw doe.
Post by: Ahmed Saeed on Tuesday 08 July 14 10:36 BST (UK)

My father Mohamed Saeed or could have been written at that time Mahamed Said served the Somaliland camel corps & Somaliland scouts both. He retired in 1960 after 35 years of service while he had the rank of RSM Regimental Sergent Major. Meaning he was the highest ranking national staff. Any information leading to his service will be appreciated. His regimental number was 923.
Phil in that case you must have born in Hargiesa - Somaliland where I did too but let me tell you this, it is a safe place if you would like to visit with nice hotels such as Ambassador hotel and Mansoor hotel etc