12th Signal Brigade (United Kingdom) explained

Unit Name:12th Signal Group
12th Signal Brigade
Dates:1967–1992
2004–2009
Country: United Kingdom
Role:Military communications
Size:Group & Brigade
Garrison:Duke of York's Headquarters, Chelsea, London
Garrison Label:Brigade Headquarters (to 1992)
Colors:Beacon Barracks, Stafford
Colors Label:Group Headquarters (from 2004)
Identification Symbol Label:Cap badge of the Royal Corps of Signals
Identification Symbol 2 Label:Royal Corps of Signals TRF

The 12th Signal Brigade, later 12th Signal Group was a military communications formation of the British Army commanding regiments of the Royal Corps of Signals. Initially formed in 1967, the brigade would provide rear defence communications for the British Army of the Rhine until its disbandment in 1992. In 2004, the group was reformed to provide territorial army and rear support to the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps in Germany. However, in 2009 the group was disbanded following reductions to the Royal Corps of Signals and Territorial Army.

History

First Formation

Before the 1966 Defence White Paper and subsequent wide-ranging reorganisation of the Army, signal formations larger than those controlled by a Lieutenant Colonel (i.e.: battalion (regiment in the RCS)) were created. Within the Royal Corps of Signals, eight new 'signal groups', commanded by a Colonel, were formed to oversee specialist units with specific duties, including those tasked with supporting the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR). Among these was the 12th Signal Group, which undertook rear area duties within the BAOR.[1] [2]

A year after the 1966 Defence White Paper, on 1 April 1967, the 12th Signal Group (Volunteers) was formed with its headquarters initially at Erskine Barracks in Wilton. The regiments of the group were tasked with providing support to the logistic units in the rear area of supporting I (BR) Corps in West Germany. Additionally, the group providing rear area duties assistance to the corps. The role of the group was described as follows: "to establish and operate telecommunication connections in the Rear Combat Zone and the Communications Zone".[3]

Eventually, the brigade's headquarters moved from Wilton to the Duke of York's Headquarters in Chelsea, London, where it remained until the brigade's disbandment.[4]

Following the 1981 Defence White Paper, the Territorial Army was given roles of increased priority, and more emphasis was placed on supporting BAOR.[5] As a consequence of this announcement, the Army reorganised many of its old 'Field Forces' and 'Groups' (renamed as such under the 1975 Mason Review), as 'Brigades'. Thus, on 1 January 1982, 12th Signal Group (V) became 12th Signal Brigade (Volunteers).[6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]

According to the 1988 Staff Officers' handbook, each regiment had an established strength of appx. 600 personnel. The brigade headquarters totalled around 100 personnel, and 81 Squadron had 100 personnel, leaving a total of 2,000 personnel for the brigade.[12]

Following the Dissolution of the Soviet Union and subsequent End of the Cold War, the Options for Change defence review was announced. Among the massive changes was the wholescale disbandment of many units based in the United Kingdom. Under this review, the 12th Signal Brigade was disbanded on 13 November 1992.[13]

Second Formation

Following the Future Army Structure changes announced in 2004, as a supplement to the 2003 Defence White Paper, the 11th Signal Brigade would expand from just three regiments in 2004 to six regiments by 2007. On 1 April 2004, the TA regiments equipped with the PTARMIGAN communications system of 11th Signal Brigade (33rd (Lancashire & Cheshire), 34th (Northern), and 35th (South Midlands) Signal Regiments) were grouped into the 12th Signal Group.[14] 12th Signal Group's commander was the deputy commander of 11th Signal Brigade, and was first appointed in 2004.[15] Shortly after formation, the group transferred to 1st (United Kingdom) Signal Brigade providing rear trunk communications.[16] [17]

The group established its headquarters at Beacon Barracks in Stafford and oversaw the TA regiments within the brigade.[18] [19] [20] The group's, and its regiments roles were now to provide support for CIS (Combat Information Systems), EW (Electronic Warfare), and ARRC rear support to Land Forces (established in 2008). Because of their unique role, the group's regiments were equipped with the state-of-the-art, but expensive Ptarmigan communications system.[21] [22]

The new group, however, was only short-lived as in 2009, a 'supplement' to the Future Army Structure was provided. In addition, a reorganisation of the Reserves was announced in 2009, and the Royal Corps of Signals would face the majority of the cuts. As a cost saving measure, the 12th Signal Group with its three regiments (33rd, 34th, and 35th), in addition to several other regiments: 31st, 36th, 38th, and 40th Signal Regiments would all disbanded. As a result, in late 2009, the group headquarters was disbanded and its regiments reduced to squadrons, and in turn their squadrons became signal troops. As part of the review, the 33rd, 34th, and 35th had their equipment 're-allocated [those resources to] higher defence priorities".[23] [24]

Organisation

First Formation

Following the reorganisation of the Army under the 1966 Defence White Paper, each regiment in the group consisted of a regimental headquarters, headquarter(s) squadron, three signal squadrons, and an attach light aid detachment (LAD) – company sized, commanded by a Major – provided by the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME).[25]

initially, all the regiments were equipped with the C41/R222 communications system, however in 1987 these regiments were re-equipped with the new EUROMUX system. 56 Signal Squadron meanwhile was equipped with the VRC333/BID860 RATT communications system and would be based in the Lines of Communications (between the Channel Ports & Belgium). 81 Signal Squadron provided maintenance work and installation of the STARNET system at RAF airfields in Germany alongside 16th and 21st Signal Regiments.[26]

Second Formation

Following the 2003 Defence White Paper, the 33rd, 34th, and 35th Signal Regiments were all equipped with the PTARMIGAN communications system, which their regular counterparts had been equipped with in Germany.

Commanders

Commanders of the brigade/group have included:[44]

Footnotes

  1. Lord & Watson, p. 136
  2. Lord & Watson, pp. 131–132
  3. Web site: The Wire: The Royal Corps of Signals Magazine. live. 18 December 2021. Royal Corps of Signals Museum. Royal Corps of Signals Association. 92. February 1993. February 1993. https://web.archive.org/web/20210722161221/https://www.royalsignalsmuseum.co.uk/wp-content/wire/Wire1993.pdf . 2021-07-22 .
  4. Web site: The Wire: The Royal Corps of Signals Magazine. live. 18 December 2021. Royal Corps of Signals Museum. Royal Corps of Signals Association. 92. February 1993. February 1993. https://web.archive.org/web/20210722161221/https://www.royalsignalsmuseum.co.uk/wp-content/wire/Wire1993.pdf . 2021-07-22 .
  5. Web site: June 1981. The United Kingdom Defence Programme: The Way Forward. 18 December 2021. United Kingdom Parliamentary Publishings.
  6. Vieux-Bill, Louis (May 2021). "British Army of the Rhine Order of Battle, July 1989" (PDF). 1985 Orders of Battle. p. 86 Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  7. Web site: The Wire: The Royal Corps of Signals Magazine. live. 18 December 2021. Royal Corps of Signals Museum. Royal Corps of Signals Association. 92. February 1993. February 1993. https://web.archive.org/web/20210722161221/https://www.royalsignalsmuseum.co.uk/wp-content/wire/Wire1993.pdf . 2021-07-22 .
  8. British Army, 1991 Master Order of Battle, Ministry of Defence, London. London, United Kingdom. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  9. Fritz, Alter (October 2018). "British Army of the Rhine & Royal Air Force Germany 1989: Organisation and stationing of the British Armed Forces in Germany in 1989 " (PDF). Relics in Upper Saxony & Bremen. Retrieved 15 December 2021 .
  10. Web site: The Wire: The Royal Signals Magazine. 18 December 2021. Royal Corps of Signals Museum. 352. January 1981. January 1981.
  11. Watson & Rinaldi, pp. 73–76
  12. Staff Officers' Handbook for 1988, p. 47
  13. Web site: The Wire: The Royal Corps of Signals Magazine. live. 18 December 2021. Royal Corps of Signals Museum. Royal Corps of Signals Association. 92. February 1993. February 1993. https://web.archive.org/web/20210722161221/https://www.royalsignalsmuseum.co.uk/wp-content/wire/Wire1993.pdf . 2021-07-22 .
  14. Web site: The Wire: The Royal Corps of Signals Magazine. 18 December 2021. Royal Corps of Signals Museum. Royal Corps of Signals Association. 9–10. February 2005.
  15. Web site: 7 August 2019. International Confederation of Reserve Officers Symposium 2019. 17 December 2021. CIOR/CIOMR SUMMER CONGRESS 2019.
  16. Web site: The Wire: The Royal Corps of Signals Magazine. 18 December 2021. Royal Corps of Signals Museum. Royal Corps of Signals Association. 9–10. February 2005.
  17. Web site: August 2011. The Posthorn: Magazine of the Postal & Courier Services Branch, Royal Engineers. 17 December 2021. Postal & Courier Services Branch of the Royal Engineers Association. 5.
  18. Web site: MoD Stafford. 2021-12-17. TheyWorkForYou. en.
  19. Web site: MOD Stafford (Beacon Barracks) - Stafford military. 2021-12-17. wikimapia.org. en.
  20. Web site: September 2009. Defence Digest: Magazine of the Defence Support Group. live. 17 December 2021. Yumpu. 5. https://web.archive.org/web/20211217171813/https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/53566452/digest . 2021-12-17 .
  21. Web site: 2007-06-10. 11th Signal Brigade. 2021-12-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20070610145350/http://www.army.mod.uk/royalsignals/11sigbde/index.htm. 2007-06-10.
  22. Web site: 2007-06-26. Digital Communications. 2021-12-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20070626035247/http://www.army.mod.uk/royalsignals/equipment/digital.html. 2007-06-26.
  23. Web site: Reserves (Review) - Tuesday 28 April 2009 - Hansard - UK Parliament. 2021-06-29. hansard.parliament.uk. en.
  24. Royal Corps of Signals, The Wire for October 2009: The Journal of the Royal Corps of Signals. Retrieved 15 December 2021
  25. Web site: The Wire: The Royal Corps of Signals Magazine. 18 December 2021. Royal Corps of Signals Museum. Royal Corps of Signals Association. 371. January 1983. January 1983.
  26. Web site: The Wire: The Royal Corps of Signals Magazine. live. 18 December 2021. Royal Corps of Signals Museum. Royal Corps of Signals Association. 92. February 1993. February 1993. https://web.archive.org/web/20210722161221/https://www.royalsignalsmuseum.co.uk/wp-content/wire/Wire1993.pdf . 2021-07-22 .
  27. Lord & Watson, pp. 152–186
  28. Lord & Watson, pp. 207–208
  29. Web site: The Wire: The Royal Corps of Signals Magazine. live. 18 December 2021. Royal Corps of Signals Museum. Royal Corps of Signals Association. 92. February 1993. February 1993. https://web.archive.org/web/20210722161221/https://www.royalsignalsmuseum.co.uk/wp-content/wire/Wire1993.pdf . 2021-07-22 .
  30. Lord & Watson, p. 141
  31. Lord & Watson, p. 142
  32. Lord & Watson, p. 145
  33. Lord & Watson, p. 168–170
  34. Lord & Watson, pp. 182–183
  35. Web site: August 2011. The Posthorn: Magazine of the Postal & Courier Services Branch, Royal Engineers. 17 December 2021. Postal & Courier Services Branch of the Royal Engineers Association. 5.
  36. Web site: 2007-10-06. United Kingdom. 2021-12-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20071006202559/http://www.army.mod.uk/royalsignals/uk.htm. 2007-10-06.
  37. Web site: 2008-01-01. 33 Signal Regiment (Volunteers). 2021-12-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20080101233827/http://www.army.mod.uk/royalsignals/33sigregt/index.htm. 2008-01-01.
  38. Web site: 2007-10-09. 55 (Merseyside) HQ Signal Squadron. 2021-12-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20071009140236/http://www.army.mod.uk/royalsignals/55sigsqn/index.htm. 2007-10-09.
  39. Lord & Watson, p. 140
  40. Web site: 2008-10-13. Squadron Locations. 2021-12-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20081013174716/http://www2.army.mod.uk/royalsignals/34sigregt/contact_us/index.htm. 2008-10-13.
  41. Lord & Watson, p. 141
  42. Web site: 2007-10-22. 35 Signal Regiment - How to find us. 2021-12-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20071022004621/http://www.army.mod.uk/royalsignals/35sigregt/regimental_organisation/index.htm. 2007-10-22.
  43. Lord & Watson, p. 142
  44. Web site: Mackie. Colin. 26 June 2020. Directorates of the British Armed Forces (1860–Present), Volume III: Senior Army Appointments 1860–Present. 26 June 2021. Gulabin.

References

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "12th Signal Brigade (United Kingdom)".

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