Tom A Robbie – Application process for job as District Officer in Forestry Commission
The documents were passed on from the family of Tom A Robbie who was the Forestry Training School principal at Glentress 1947-1953 and also at Faskally 1953-1955 and thereafter in Conservancy Office appointments in England and then Scotland. The items were brought to the attention of Forestry Memories by Mairi McGeachy, Business Support Manager, Aberfoyle Office.
This is one of a series of documents the contents of which chart the process and progress of Tom’s application for work as a District Officer II in the Forestry Commission. The full set of documents can be accessed via the PDF just below this text page.
The process begins with securing written confirmation on his academic and work experience profile. The Rector of Mackie Academy (A C Knox) confirms that Tom Robbie attended Mackie Academy from 1925 – 1932 and lists the subjects studied with references to work ethic and sporting abilities.
The second reference is written by District Officer D H Bird who covered the Mearns area and states that Tom Robbie worked for 5 months in Inglismaldie Forest carrying out a rage of general forestry labouring work including in the Forest Nursery and out on the hill.
It seems that Tom was the son of James David Robbie who was a Forester on Inglismaldie Estate before part of it was acquired by the Forestry Commission about 1929.
Confusingly there is a J D Robbie in the early records based at Monaughty Forest but it turns out this was John D Robbie. A James D Robbie turns up in later records but not certain he has any connections with Tom.
The next and following reference is connected to the University Of Aberdeen where evidently Tom Robbie attended from around 1932 – 1935. The referees are Alfred W Gibb Professor of Geology and James C Grassie, Lecturer in Forest Engineering.
The next step in the chain is a letter from Aberdeen Divisional Office in North Silver Street to Tom on the 4 March 1936 informing him that there are job advertisements in the Press and that a copy is attached. By this date Tom is working in Newton Nursery and staying with Grant, Holding No 7, Newton, Elgin. The notice indicates that the Forestry Commission is inviting applications for appointments as District Forest Officer (Male). Applications on the appropriate form had to reach the Secretary, 9 Savile Row, London, not later than 12 March 1936. Pretty tight schedule but it seems Tom was already aware of the notice and the next record shows that an application form is on its way from London to Tom on 6 March.
By 9th March John Cameron, Head Forester, Newton Nursery writes a reference letter detailing the work roles that Tom has carried out since he started there in December 1935. Indeed another glowing reference.
There follows on the 9th March another letter from A G Herbert, Secretary, 9 Savile Row, London with a lengthy two sided application form. On 30 March AG Herbert writes again inviting Tom to attend an interview at 9 Savile Row on 16 April all at his own expense! On 20 April a department note confirms that the following applicants have been recommended for appointment as District Forest Officers ‘subject to their satisfying the Civil Service Commissioners on health and other points’.
C A J Barrington
J H Currie
W Forsyth
T A Robbie
J Q Williamson
There follows from the 22 April a series of letters and instructions from the Civil Service Commission via their Secretary G G Mennell to Tom Robbie for health check, birth certificate and academic qualification evidence. On 10 Jun 1936 Tom is issued with a Civil Service Certificate of Qualification for post of Forest Officer under the Forestry Commission. On the 19 June the Forestry Commission, 9 Savile Row, London after a three month process, are able to offer Tom an appointment as a District Officer at No 2 Division England based at Shrewsbury. As is usual he has to serve a probationary period of two years and starting annual salary is £277.16.0 with annual increments of £18.
On 19 Jan 1938 is a receipt from The Royal Scottish Forestry Society for seven pounds ten shillings from T A Robbie as subscription as a life member. That same year Tom receives a letter written on 28 Jan informing him that as he has satisfactorily completed his two years probation his appointment a District Officer is now confirmed and he is now included in the Department’s Pension Scheme.
Finally in April 1946 is confirmation that Tom Robbie has been graded as District officer Grade I including a letter of congratulations from W H Guilleband based in 25 Savile Row, London.
The enclosed minute lists all the approved gradings from 1 January 1946 for Divisional Officer:
G J L Batters
D H Bird
F E B de Uphaugh
C E L Fairchild
J E James
J A B Macdonald
C C Morrish
W A Muir
G D Rouse
W D Russell
H Watson
J Webster
J Q Williamson
N A Wylie
and District Officer Grade I:
G F Ballance
C A J Barrington
A P Bennett
W A Cadman
W Forsyth
W N Gibson
W J J Portlock
T A Robbie
R G Sanzen-Baker
D S Spraggan
D F Stileman
In 1938 Tom Robbie is confirmed (actually was lent to North Division in 1937) as posted to the North Scotland Division (Inverness) under Divisional Officer James Fraser. His District Officer colleagues are D S Spraggan, W N Gibson (known as Irish) and A M Fraser.
1948 - Head of Forester Training School Glentress
1953 – Head of Forester Training School Faskally
1956 – District Officer Brechin East Scotland Conservancy
1958 – Divisional Officer South West Scotland (Glasgow) under Conservator J E James
1988 Assistant Conservator West Scotland (Glasgow) under Conservator G G Stewart
1973 – Possible retirement year.
Any comments and further observations very welcome
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