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Auction: 26002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 182

A Post War C.B., Second World War C.I.E. and O.B.E. group of nine to Temporary Major General F. H. Skinner, Indian Army, late 8th London Regiment

The Most Distinguished Order of the Bath, Military Division, Companion's (C.B.) breast Badge, silver-gilt, silver and enamel, in case of issue; The Most Eminent Order of the British Empire, Companion's (C.I.E.) neck Badge, gold and enamel; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Military Division, Officer's (O.B.E.), breast Badge, 2nd Type, silver-gilt; British War Medal 1914-20 (2-Lieut. F. H. Skinner.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (Lt. F. H. Skinner, 2/12/Pnrs.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, the last eight mounted as worn with the C.I.E. incorrectly worn as a breast Badge, very fine (9)

C.B. London Gazette 1 January 1948.

C.I.E. London Gazette 1 January 1945.

O.B.E. London Gazette 14 January 1943.

'This officer has been connected with the Force in Iraq from the date of the preliminary reconnaissance in March 1940 and has done consistant good work. His services were put to the Comd. 10th Indian Division to act as G.S.O.I. during the local operations against the Iraquis (sic) in May 1941.'

Frank Hollamby Skinner was born at Herne Bay, Kent on 24 March 1897. He was originally commissioned on 5 June 1917 into the 8th Battalion London Regiment (Post Office Rifles) but was seconded to the 2-12th Pioneers, Indian Army, from 26 September 1917. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 5 June 1918. Skinner was awarded a sole British War Medal 1914-20 for his Great War service. He was promoted to Captain on 10 May 1921 and on the disbandment of the Pioneers he joined Coke's Rifles in Razmak in 1929 and promoted to Major on 10 May 1935.

Despite not going to the Staff College he had an outstanding ability as a staff officer and was brought him a series of staff appointments on formations and at Army Headquarters. He was acting Lt. Col between 2 September 1939 and 14 November 1939 and again between 16 July 1940 and 5 August 1940. Skinner served as Temporary Lt. Col between 6 August 1940 and 9 May 1943 and was finally promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on 10 May 1943. Whilst never commanding Coke's Rifles, he did get a command of a battalion of the 19th Hyderabad Regiment (19th Kumaon Regiment). During the Second World War he was employed on the staff and reached the rank of Temporary Major-General on 24 October 1944 and put in command of the Nagpur District. Skinner was made Acting Lieutenant General between 5 December 1944 and 6 January 1945.

In his retirement he turned his hand to growing apples and pig farming. He was Chairman of the Piffer (Punjab Frontier Force Officers Association) Executive Committee in the 1960s and died at Crowborough, Sussex on 18 April 1979; sold together with the following archive:

i)
Warrant for the Order of the Bath, with covering letter from the Central Chancery.

ii)
Warrant for the Order of the Indian Empire.

iii)
Warrant for the Order of the British Empire, with covering letter from the Central Chancery.

iv)
A copy of The Piffer, October 1975.

v)
Pakistan Diary, Volume I and II, by C.J.W., a private diary where profits went to the P.F.F. association.

vi)
Photocopies of commissioning Warrants (4).

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Estimate
£2,000 to £3,000

Starting price
£1600