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Royal Corps Of Signals




The Royal Corps of Signals (sometimes referred to incorrectly as the Royal Signal Corps and often known simply as the '''Royal Signals''' or '''R SIGNALS''') is one of the 'arms' (combat support corps) of the British Army . It is responsible for installing, maintaining and operating all types of Telecommunications equipment and Information systems.

The Corps Motto is ''Certa Cito'', which freely translates as ''Swift and Sure''. The flag and cap badge feature Mercury , the winged messenger of the gods, who is referred to by members of the corps as "Jimmy".


HISTORY


In 1870 , 'C' Telegraph Troop, Royal Engineers , was founded under Captain Montague Lambert. The Troop was the first formal professional body of signallers in the British Army and its duty was to provide communications for a field army by means of visual Signalling , mounted orderlies and Telegraph . By 1871 , 'C' Troop had expanded in size from 2 officers and 133 other ranks to 5 officers and 245 other ranks. In 1879 , 'C' Troop first saw action during the Anglo-Zulu War . On 1 May 1884 , 'C' Troop was amalgamated with the 22nd and 34th Companies, Royal Engineers, to form the '''Telegraph Battalion Royal Engineers'''; 'C' Troop formed the 1st Division (Field Force, based at Aldershot ) while the two Royal Engineers companies formed the 2nd Division (Postal and Telegraph, based in London ). Signalling was the responsibility of the Telegraph Battalion until 1908 , when the ''' Royal Engineers Signal Service ''' was formed. As such it provided communications during World War I . It was about this time that Motorcycle Despatch Rider s and Wireless sets were introduced into service.

A Royal Warrant for the creation of a Corps of Signals was signed by the Secretary Of State For War , Winston Churchill , on 28 June 1920 . Six weeks later, King George V conferred the title '''Royal Corps of Signals'''. It was given precedence immediately after the Royal Engineers.

Throughout World War II , members of the Corps served in every theatre of war. By the end of the war the strength of the Corps was 8,518 officers and 142,472 men. In the immediate post-war period, the Corps played a full and active part in numerous campaigns, including Palestine , Malaya and the Korean War . Until the end of the Cold War , the main body of the Corps was deployed with the British Army Of The Rhine confronting the former Communist Bloc forces, providing the British Forces' contribution to NATO with its communications Infrastructure . Today's Corps has now moved into the developing Information Warfare era of the future. On the No 2 uniform the Royal Signals wear a dark blue lanyard signifying its early links with the Royal Engineers.


PERSONNEL


Soldiers join the Royal Corps of Signals in one of many trades (open to both men and women), some of which include:

  • Communication Systems Operator

  • Electrician

  • Driver Lineman

  • Information Systems Engineer

  • Installation Technician

  • Electronic Warfare Systems Operator (formerly known as Special Operator)

  • Systems Engineering Technician

  • Technical Supply Specialist


All recruits do their basic military training at an Army Training Regiment . Special-to-arm training is carried out with 11 Signal Regiment at Blandford Camp in Dorset .


ROYAL CORPS OF SIGNALS UNITS



Brigades


There are three signal Brigade s in the British Army:



Regular Army


  • 2 Signal Regiment

  • ---214 Signal Squadron

  • ---219 Signal Squadron

  • ---246 Gurkha Signal Squadron


  • 7 ( Allied Rapid Reaction Corps ) Signal Regiment

  • ---Headquarters Squadron

  • ---229 Signal Squadron

  • ---231 Signal Squadron

  • ---232 Signal Squadron


  • 10 Signal Regiment

  • ---238 (London) Signal Squadron

  • ---241 Signal Squadron

  • ---243 Signal Squadron

  • ---251 Signal Squadron

  • ---ECM Signal Squadron (Northern Ireland) (Formerly Romeo Troop 15 Sig Regt which dispanded May 2006)


  • 14 Signal Regiment (Electronic Warfare)

  • ---Headquarters Squadron

  • ---224 Signal Squadron (Electronic Warfare) is the most recent addition to the regiments/squadrons.

  • ---226 Signal Squadron (Electronic Warfare)

  • ---237 Signal Squadron (Electronic Warfare)

  • ---245 Signal Squadron (Electronic Warfare)


  • 15 Signal Regiment (Dispanded May 2006) (Only Romeo troop survives which is now Sqn strength)

  • --- Headquarters Squadron

  • ---233 Signal Squadron

  • ---225 Signal Squadron


  • 16 Signal Regiment

  • ---Headquarters Squadron

  • ---230 Signal Squadron

  • ---255 Signal Squadron

  • ---252 Signal Squadron (disbanded 2002 to DCSA but is due to reform 2007)



  • 21 Signal Regiment (Air Support)

  • ---HQ Squadron

  • ---220 Signal Squadron

  • ---244 Signal Squadron

  • ---248 Gurkha Signal Squadron (To move to 22 Signal Regiment 2007)


  • 22 Signal Regiment

  • ---HQ Squadron

  • ---217 Signal Squadron

  • ---222 Signal Squadron (From 3 (UK) Divisional Signal Regiment)

  • ---248 Gurkha Signal Squadron (From 21 Signal Regiment (Air Support))


  • 30 Signal Regiment

  • ---Support Squadron

  • ---250 Gurkha Signal Squadron

  • ---256 Signal Squadron

  • ---258 Signal Squadron



  • 3 (UK) Division Headquarters and Signal Regiment

  • ---Headquarters (Somme) Squadron

  • ---202 Signal Squadron

  • ---206 Signal Squadron

  • ---222 Signal Squadron (To move to 22 Signal Regiment 2007)








  • 39 Infantry Brigade Headquarters and Signal Squadron (213)



  • 8 Infantry Brigade Headquarters and Signal Squadron (218)





  • 264 ( SAS ) Signal Squadron (renamed 18 (UKSF) Signal Regiment in early 2005)


  • 628 Signal Troop (UK DCM(A)) - 1 NATO Signal Battalion (Formally 280 UK Signal Squadron Dec 05)


  • Defence Communication Services Agency (DCSA) (Many locations throughout UK and Germany)




  • Joint Communications Unit (Falkland Islands)


  • Band of the Royal Corps of Signals


1: Joint Service Signal Unit (Cyprus) is a tri-service unit.


Territorial Army













  • 1 (Royal Buckinghamshire Yeomanry) Signal Squadron (Special Communications) (Volunteers) {Link without Title}





  • 97 (BRITFOR) Signal Squadron (Volunteers)


  • 98 (Balkans) Signal Squadron (Volunteers)




ORDER OF PRECEDENCE


  Before Corps Of Royal Engineers
  Title Order Of Precedence



SEE ALSO


The book "Through to 1970" which was devised by the Royal Signals Institution to mark the Golden Jubilee of the Royal Corps of Signals and the Centenary of the formation of the first Telegraph Units in the British Army. (c) 1970 Royal Signals Institution, 1970 the book was edited by Lt Col E.G.Day OBE TD, authored by Col R.M. Adams and designed by Miles Hutchins.

Association Of Harrogate Apprentices


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