P&EE sign
Proof and Experimental Establishment
In 1905, the Experimental Branch of the School of Gunnery at Shoeburyness became an independent unit and, in 1920, was renamed as the Experimental Establishment, commonly referred to as XP.
In 1948, XP was re-organised as the Proof and Experimental Establishment (P&EE) which became responsible for co-ordinating the work of the Experimental Ranges then in operation throughout the UK.
This work included weapons development, ammunition trials, environmental testing and disposal of explosive ordnance.
In 1995, the P&EE became the Defence Test and Evaluation Organisation (DTEO). The DTEO was subsequently incorporated into the Defence Research Establishment which in turn became part of QinetiQ, a private contractor, which continues to operate at MOD Shoeburyness on the New Ranges today.
History and design of the P&EE sign
The P&EE sign on display at the Cart and Wagon Shed was recovered from storage on the New Ranges. It is believed to have been commissioned in the early 1990s with a view either to hang on the main entrance gate to MOD Shoeburyness off Blackgate Road or to replace the existing sign on the Central Office building.
After this new sign was made, but before it could be installed, the P&EE had already changed its name so the new sign became redundant. It sat safely tucked away unused for many years until it was brought to the attention of Major Tony Hill, who carefully put it amongst his collection of archives and artefacts stored in building G16 at MOD Shoeburyness. When Major Hill died it passed into the custodianship of the Shoeburyness and South Essex Branch, Royal Artillery Association for display at the Cart and Wagon Shed.
The displayed sign is painted in bright intense colours with a high gloss finish, creating a strong and vivid impression. The design represents ordnance exploding in a ball of flame on top of the the sea with streaks of yellow light illuminating the sky above. The sign includes the full name of the establishment and the word Shoeburyness in gold lettering.
Below are two further examples of P&EE emblems. The one on the left is topped by a Queen’s crown. The photo on the right shows, in the background, the sign that hung outside the Central Office building.
