maxwell ernest skinner royal engineers ,somaliland scouts,mpbw doe.

[normandy1944]

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.

[CaroleW]

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?

[barryd]

Ministry of Public Business and Works

[alanmack]

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

Alan

[CaroleW]

Thanks Alan - abbreviations can be very misleading. 

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

[alanmack]

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. 

Alan

[normandy1944]

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. 

[wyndham]

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.

[Ahmed Saeed]

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