Sgt. Skinner was born in Gloucester, and was the son of a WWI RFC pilot. He was educated at the Merchant Taylors' School and worked for the Midland Bank before the war.

He joined the RAFVR in April 1937 as an Airman u/t Pilot, and accrued sufficient flying hours and ability to be recommended for a full-time training period with the regular RAF.
In June 1939 he joined 74 Squadron at Hornchurch. Over Dunkirk on 24th May, he shot down a Ju 88 and damaged a He 111 and on the 27th he destroyed a Do 17. He shared a He 111 on 8th July, destroyed a Bf 109 on the 31st, shot down a Bf 110, shared two others and damaged another on 11th August, and destroyed one Do 17 and damaged another on the 13th.
During a routine patrol on 30th August, he collided with Pilot Officer E.W.G. Churches and baled out, unhurt. His Spitfire, X 4022, crashed and burned out.
On 2nd November, he destroyed a Bf 109 and on the 14th two Ju 87s.
He was awarded the DFM (21st December 1940).
In March 1941 he was posted to 59 OTU, as an instructor. He was commissioned in May and rejoined 74 Squadron on 10th June 1941. He was shot down on 6th July, 1941, during a Roadstead operation to attack shipping near Gravelines, and was later reported to be a PoW.
He was released from the RAF in 1946 as a Flight Lieutenant.
He later rejoined the RAFVR as a Flying Officer.