1st Signal Brigade (United Kingdom)

The 1st Signal Brigade, formally known as the 1st Signal Group was a communications command of the British Army. The group was first formed in 1968 as a result of the 1966 Defence White Paper which expanded support for NATO and the British Army of the Rhine. In 1987 the group was disbanded and merged into the 2nd Signal Brigade.

1st Signal Group
1st Signal Brigade
1st (United Kingdom) Signal Brigade
1st Signal Brigade Formation Sign
Active1968—1987
1995—Present
Country United Kingdom
Branch British Army
TypeSignals
RoleCommunications brigade
SizeBrigade
Part of6th UK Division
Allied Rapid Reaction Corps
Garrison/HQImjin Barracks, Innsworth, UK
formerly Rhine Garrison, Germany
EngagementsBosnian War
Commanders
Current
commander		Brigadier John R. Collyer

In 1995 the brigade was reformed as 1st (United Kingdom) Signal Brigade with its headquarters in the 'Big House' in JHQ Rheindahlen, Germany and units in Krefeld and Elmpt. During the 1990s the Brigade deployed to Bosnia as part of NATO's IFOR. Today, it is based in Gloucester and commands, prepares and generates forces which are held at high states of readiness to support current and future military operations all over the world. The Brigade delivers robust and resilient Command Support, Communications Information Systems and Real Life Support to formations including the NATO Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC), the Vanguard Aviation Force, the Air Assault Task Force and the Vanguard Field Hospital.

History

First Formation

On 1 April 1968 as a result of the 1966 Defence White Paper, Headquarters, 1st Signal Group (STRATCO) was formed at Erskine Barracks, Wilton. The new formation was formed to command those UK-based signal units earmarked for NATO reinforcement and 'Out of Area' operations.[1][2] The Group was also known as Headquarters, Army Strategic Command (Signals).[3] Under this command, the group was tasked with providing communications for the 5th Division and other Army Groups with no signals support.[3]

After formation, the group commanded the following units:[2][3]

In 1970 the group's HQ moved to Old Sarum in Salisbury.[7] After moving the group gained control of 55 (Merseyside) Signal Squadron (V) which the group provided technical and training for.[7] The group also gained two new TSC-500 mobile satellite earth stations in addition to gaining a new unit under HQ's direct command, Mobile Force Radio Troop which supported Allied Command, Europe.[7] The group also took control of the 34th (Northern) Signal Regiment (V) for training and mobilisation directives.[7]

In 1973 the group gained control of 234 Signal Squadron (Malta).[8] In 1975 the group took control of 51 (Highland) Signal Squadron (V), which was tasked with supporting the 14th Signal Regiment.[9] By 1976 the group gained control over 3 Squadron, 30th Signal Regiment. This squadron was expanded and made independent and later renamed as 249 Signal Squadron (AMF(L)).[10] Following the 1975 Mason Review, the group was reorganised into the following structure;[10]

  • Group Headquarters under Colonel J H Hild in Old Sarum
  • 30th Signal Regiment in Blandford
  • 216 Signal Squadron in Aldershot
  • 234 Signal Squadron (Malta) in Malta
  • 249 Signal Squadron (AMF(L)) in Old Sarum
  • 603 Signal Troop in Masirah and Salalah
  • 633 Signal Troop in Belize, supporting British Forces Belize
  • 642 Signal Troop in Gibraltar, supporting British Forces Gibraltar
  • 644 Signal Troop in Cyprus, supporting British Forces Cyprus
  • [Administrative Control] 51 (Highland) Signal Squadron (V), Aberdeen
  • [Administrative Control] 55 (Merseyside) Signal Squadron (V), Liverpool

In 1979 the group HQ was moved to Tidworth in accordance with the reforms of the 1975 Mason Review. In 1980 the Commandant of the Royal Corps of Signals made a visit to Blandford where he announced possible changes to the group and the overall signal group. As part of this announcement, the master of signals announced 1 Signal Group's role would change, and be able to help with the "Rhodesian Situation".[11] The group was later involved in this when it supported the communications for a smooth independence movement.[12]

In 1982 the group was re-titled with accordance with the 1981 Defence White Paper [The Way Forward], to become the 1st Signal Brigade.[1][2][12] In addition to the name changes, the brigade also gained command of 244 Signal Squadron (Air Support) at RAF Brize Norton.[13] In 1987 the group was disbanded and merged into the larger 2nd Signal Brigade.[1][2]

Reformation

The brigade was re-formed on 1 January 1995 and was deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina under Brigadiers Tony Raper and James Shaw in 1995/96 as part of IFOR and, later, in 1999, as part of KFOR.[14] Under Army 2020, 1st (United Kingdom) Signal Brigade was re-organized into four specialist units.[15]

Organisation and Roles

Each unit is trained to carry out a unique and challenging role in support of the overall brigade mission and is prepared to deploy at short notice anywhere in the world.[15]

  • 13th Signal Regiment providing third-line support to British Forces communications networks and Cyber Defence.[16]
  • 299 Signal Squadron (Special Communications), based at Bletchley, which is a small specialist unit that provides communications and command support direct to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office overseas.
  • 22nd Signal Regiment, based in Stafford and Innsworth, deliver Information Communication Systems to the NATO Allied Rapid Reaction Corps Headquarters at their permanent base in Gloucester and when deployed on exercises or operations overseas anywhere across the globe.
  • 30th Signal Regiment, based in Bramcote, supports the British Armed Forces's PJHQ's deployable Joint Force Headquarters, Very High Readiness Field Hospital, the Air Assault Task Force and Joint Helicopter Command.[17]
  • 32nd (Scottish) Signal Regiment providing Apps/Data support.[18]
  • 39th (The Skinners) Signal Regiment providing Apps/Data support.[19]
  • ARRC Support Battalion, based in Innsworth, provide a bespoke and resilient staff working environment which can be deployed anywhere in the world at short notice to allow the NATO Allied Rapid Reaction Corps Headquarters to carry out their command role in any type of armed conflict. The Battalion also provides the crucial real life support and protection that enables the headquarters to focus on its role.

Commanders

The following have commanded 1st Signal Brigade since its inception as a separate command:[20]

1st Signal Brigade

  • Colonel E J Winn (1968[3]—1971[4])
  • Colonel D L Sylvester-Bradley OBE (1971[4]—1973[8])
  • Colonel J H Hild MBE[10] (1973[8]—1976[21])
  • Colonel Robert "Bob" Benbow (1976[21]—1979[22])
  • Colonel Keith H Olds (1979[22]—1982[13])
  • Colonel Mike Marples OBE (1982[13]—1987)

1st (UK) Signal Brigade

  • Brigadier Tony Raper, Apr 1995 - Jan 1996
  • Brigadier James Shaw, Jan 1996 - May 1998
  • Brigadier Robert Baxter, May 1998 - Mar 2000
  • Brigadier David McDowall, Mar 2000 - Jan 2002
  • Brigadier Tim Inshaw, Jan 2002 - Jan 2004
  • Colonel David Hargreaves, Jan - Mar 2004
  • Brigadier Neil Couch, Mar 2004 - Sep 2005
  • Brigadier Nick Pope, Sep 2005 - Dec 2007
  • Brigadier Andy Bristow, Dec 2007 - Jul 2008
  • Brigadier Ivan Hooper, Jul 2008 - Nov 2010
  • Brigadier David Robson, Nov 2010 - Sep 2012
  • Brigadier Tim Carmichael, Sep 2012 - Aug 2014
  • Brigadier Sharon Nesmith, Aug 2014–2016
  • Brigadier Paul R. Griffiths 2016–2019
  • Brigadier John R. Collyer 2019–Present

Notes
  1. DCN - Defence Communications Network

See also

References
  1. Lord and Watson, Royal Corps of Signals Page 127
  2. Lord and Watson, Royal Corps of Signals Page 128
  3. "The Wire" (PDF). Royal Corps of Signals Association. 1969. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  4. "The Wire" (PDF). Royal Corps of Signals Association. 1971. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  5. British Army units from 1945 on
  6. Controlled directly from the MOD(A)'s respective branches
  7. "The Wire" (PDF). Royal Corps of Signals Association. 1970. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  8. "The Wire" (PDF). Royal Corps of Signals Association. 1973. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  9. "The Wire" (PDF). Royal Corps of Signals Association. 1975. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  10. "The Wire" (PDF). Royal Corps of Signals Association. 1976. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  11. "The Wire" (PDF). Royal Corps of Signals Association. 1980. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  12. "The Wire" (PDF). Royal Corps of Signals Association. 1981. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  13. "The Wire" (PDF). Royal Corps of Signals Association. 1982. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  14. Lord, Cliff (2014). "The Royal Corps of Signals: Unit Histories of the Corps (1920-2001), and Its Antecedents". Helion & Co. p. 304. ISBN 978-1874622925.
  15. "Army 2020 Report" (PDF). Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  16. "Armed Forces announce launch of first Cyber Regiment in major modernisation". British Ministry of Defence. 4 June 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  17. "1st Signal Brigade". army.mod.uk. British Army. 6 September 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2019. 30 Signal Regiment is responsible for enabling PJHQ's deployable Joint Force Headquarters and supporting other High Readiness Formations such as the Very High Readiness Field Hospital, the Air Assault Task Force and Joint Helicopter Command.
  18. "Royal Signals The Caduceus Programme A Corps for the 21st Century" (PDF). Royal Signals. October 2018. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  19. "Royal Signals The Caduceus Programme A Corps for the 21st Century" (PDF). Royal Signals. October 2018. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  20. "Senior Army Appointments" (PDF). Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  21. "The Wire" (PDF). Royal Corps of Signals Association. 1977. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  22. "The Wire" (PDF). Royal Corps of Signals Association. 1979. Retrieved 17 September 2019.

Sources
  • Lord, Cliff, and Graham Watson. The Royal Corps of Signals Unit Histories of the Corps (1920-2001) and Its Antecedents. Helion and Company, 2003. ISBN 1874622922
  • British Army units from 1945 on at british-army-units1945on.co.uk http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/royal-signals
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