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{{Infobox military unit
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = 12th Signal Group<br>12th Signal Brigade
| unit_name = 12th Signal Group<br>12th Signal Brigade
| image = Royal Corps of Signals cap badge.svg
| image = 12th Signal Group (British Army) patch.jpg
| image_size = 150px
| image_size = 150px
| caption = [[Cap badge]] of the Royal Corps of Signals
| caption = Brigade patch
| dates = 1967–1992<br>2004–2009
| dates = 1967–1992<br>2004–2009
| country = {{flag|United Kingdom}}
| country = {{flag|United Kingdom}}
Line 10: Line 10:
| role = [[Military communications]]
| role = [[Military communications]]
| size = [[Group (British Army)|Group]] & [[Brigade]]
| size = [[Group (British Army)|Group]] & [[Brigade]]
| command_structure = [[Territorial Army (UK)|Territorial Army]]
| garrison = [[Duke of York's Headquarters]], [[Chelsea, London|Chelsea]], [[London]]
| garrison = [[Duke of York's Headquarters]], [[Chelsea, London|Chelsea]], [[London]]
| garrison_label = Brigade Headquarters <small>(to 1992)</small>
| garrison_label = Brigade Headquarters <small>(to 1992)</small>
| colors = [[Beacon Barracks]], [[Stafford]]
| colors = [[Beacon Barracks]], [[Stafford]]
| colors_label = Group Headquarters <small>(from 2004)</small>
| colors_label = Group Headquarters <small>(from 2004)</small>
| identification_symbol = [[File:12th Signal Group (British Army) patch.jpg|100px]]
| identification_symbol = [[File:Royal Corps of Signals cap badge.svg|100px]]
| identification_symbol_label = Brigade patch
| identification_symbol_label = [[Cap badge]] of the [[Royal Corps of Signals]]
| identification_symbol_2 = [[File:Royal Signals TRF.svg|100px]]
| identification_symbol_2 = [[File:Royal Signals TRF.svg|100px]]
| identification_symbol_2_label = Royal Corps of Signals [[Tactical Recognition Flash|TRF]]
| identification_symbol_2_label = Royal Corps of Signals [[Tactical Recognition Flash|TRF]]

Revision as of 04:55, 18 December 2021

12th Signal Group
12th Signal Brigade
Brigade patch
Active1967–1992
2004–2009
Country United Kingdom
Branch British Army
RoleMilitary communications
SizeGroup & Brigade
Brigade Headquarters (to 1992)Duke of York's Headquarters, Chelsea, London
Group Headquarters (from 2004)Beacon Barracks, Stafford
Insignia
Cap badge of the Royal Corps of Signals
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 but disbanded a short time later before 2012 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 (ie: battalion (regiment in the RCS)) were rare, and usually only temporary regional formations.[citation needed] However, following that defence paper, 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).[1][2]

A year after the 1966 Defence White Paper, on 1 April 1967, the 12th Signal Group was formed with its headquarters at the Duke of York's Headquarters in Chelsea, London.[3][page needed] 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.[citation needed] Additionally, the group providing rear area duties assistance to the corps.[citation needed] The role of the group was described as follows: "to establish and operate telecommunication connections in the Rear Combat Zone and the Communications Zone".[citation needed]

Following the 1981 Defence White Paper, the Territorial Army was given roles of increased priority,[citation needed] and more emphasis was placed on supporting BAOR.[citation needed] As a result of this paper, the 12th Signal Group was redesignated as the 12th Signal Brigade.[2][4][5][6]

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.[7]

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.[2]

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. By 2007, the regiments which joined the brigade (33rd (Lancashire & Cheshire), 34th (Northern), and 35th (South Midlands) Signal Regiments) were grouped into the 12th Signal Group. 12th Signal Group's commander was the deputy commander of 11th Signal Brigade, and was first appointed in 2004.[8][9] Sometime later, by August 2011 the group transferred to 1st (United Kingdom) Signal Brigade with the same role.[10]

The group established its headquarters at Beacon Barracks in Stafford and oversaw the TA regiments within the brigade.[11][12][13] 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.[9][14]

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".[15][16]

Organisation

The independent signal squadrons were removed following the brigade's initial disbandment.

First Formation

Second Formation

Commanders

Commanders of the brigade/group have included:[29]

  • April 1967 – December 1968: Brigadier Peter D. Vaigncourt-Strallen[3]
  • December 1968 – June 1971: Brigadier Arthur J. Jackson[30]
  • June 1971 – August 1972: Brigadier Henry Arthur John Sturge
  • August 1972 – October 1974: Brigadier Oliver J. Peck
  • October 1974 – January 1978: Brigadier William A. Sykes
  • January 1978 – February 1981: Brigadier Ronald L. Stonham
  • February 1981 – July 1984: Brigadier John R. Burrows
  • July 1984 – May 1988: Brigadier Thomas H. Wheawell
  • May 1988 – October 1990: Brigadier Stanley G. McK. Gordon
  • October 1990 – November 1992: Brigadier K. P. Burke

Footnotes

  1. ^ Lord & Watson, p. 136
  2. ^ a b c d Lord & Watson, pp. 131–132
  3. ^ a b Royal Corps of Signals Association, The Wire The Royal Signals Magazine for 1968. Corps Headquarters, Royal Corps of Signals. Catterick, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  4. ^ a b c Vieux-Bill, Louis (May 2021). "British Army of the Rhine Order of Battle, July 1989" (PDF). 1985 Orders of Battle. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  5. ^ a b British Army, 1991 Master Order of Battle, Ministry of Defence, London. London, United Kingdom. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  6. ^ 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 .
  7. ^ Staff Officers' Handbook for 1988, p. 47
  8. ^ "International Confederation of Reserve Officers Symposium 2019" (PDF). CIOR/CIOMR SUMMER CONGRESS 2019. 7 August 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  9. ^ a b c "11th Signal Brigade". 2007-06-10. Archived from the original on 2007-06-10. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  10. ^ a b "The Posthorn: Magazine of the Postal & Courier Services Branch, Royal Engineers" (PDF). Postal & Courier Services Branch of the Royal Engineers Association. August 2011. p. 5. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  11. ^ "MoD Stafford". TheyWorkForYou. Retrieved 2021-12-17.
  12. ^ "MOD Stafford (Beacon Barracks) - Stafford | military". wikimapia.org. Retrieved 2021-12-17.
  13. ^ "Defence Digest: Magazine of the Defence Support Group". Yumpu. September 2009. p. 5. Retrieved 17 December 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ^ "Digital Communications". 2007-06-26. Archived from the original on 2007-06-26. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  15. ^ "Reserves (Review) - Tuesday 28 April 2009 - Hansard - UK Parliament". hansard.parliament.uk. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
  16. ^ Royal Corps of Signals, The Wire for October 2009: The Journal of the Royal Corps of Signals. Retrieved 15 December 2021
  17. ^ Lord & Watson, pp. 152–186
  18. ^ Lord & Watson, pp. 207–208
  19. ^ a b Lord & Watson, p. 141
  20. ^ a b Lord & Watson, p. 142
  21. ^ Lord & Watson, p. 145
  22. ^ Lord & Watson, pp. 182–183
  23. ^ "United Kingdom". 2007-10-06. Archived from the original on 2007-10-06. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  24. ^ "33 Signal Regiment (Volunteers)". 2008-01-01. Archived from the original on 2008-01-01. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  25. ^ "55 (Merseyside) HQ Signal Squadron". 2007-10-09. Archived from the original on 2007-10-09. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  26. ^ Lord & Watson, p. 140
  27. ^ "Squadron Locations". 2008-10-13. Archived from the original on 2008-10-13. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  28. ^ "35 Signal Regiment - How to find us". 2007-10-22. Archived from the original on 2007-10-22. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  29. ^ Mackie, Colin (26 June 2020). "Directorates of the British Armed Forces (1860–Present), Volume III: Senior Army Appointments 1860–Present" (PDF). Gulabin. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  30. ^ Royal Corps of Signals Association, The Wire The Royal Signals Magazine for 1969. Corps Headquarters, Royal Corps of Signals. Catterick, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom. Retrieved 17 December 2021.

References

  • Lord, Cliff; Watson, Graham (2004). The Royal Corps of Signals : unit histories of the Corps (1920-2001) and its antecedents. Solihull, West Midlands, England: Helion & Company. ISBN 978-1-874622-92-5. OCLC 184820114.
  • Staff Officers' Handbook. Army Code No. 71030, D/DAT/13/35/54. Whitehall, London, United Kingdom: Ministry of Defence. September 1988.


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