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12th Signal Brigade (United Kingdom)

August 26, 2023

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.

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

History Edit

First Formation Edit

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 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.[3] 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".[4][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][3]

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).[2][4][3][6][7][8][9]

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.[10]

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][3]

Second Formation Edit

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.[11] 12th Signal Group's commander was the deputy commander of 11th Signal Brigade, and was first appointed in 2004.[12][13] Shortly after formation, the group transferred to 1st (United Kingdom) Signal Brigade providing rear trunk communications.[11][14]

The group established its headquarters at Beacon Barracks in Stafford and oversaw the TA regiments within the brigade.[15][16][17] 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.[13][18]

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".[19][20]

Organisation Edit

First Formation Edit

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).[4][21]

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.[2] 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).[2] 81 Signal Squadron provided maintenance work and installation of the STARNET system at RAF airfields in Germany alongside 16th and 21st Signal Regiments.[3]

Second Formation Edit

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.[29]

Commanders Edit

Commanders of the brigade/group have included:[35]

  • April 1967 – December 1968: Brigadier Peter D. Vaigncourt-Strallen
  • December 1968 – June 1971: Brigadier Arthur J. Jackson
  • 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 Edit

  1. ^ Lord & Watson, p. 136
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Lord & Watson, pp. 131–132
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "The Wire: The Royal Corps of Signals Magazine" (PDF). Royal Corps of Signals Museum (February 1993 ed.). Royal Corps of Signals Association. February 1993. p. 92. (PDF) from the original on 2021-07-22. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d e f 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.
  5. ^ "The United Kingdom Defence Programme: The Way Forward" (PDF). United Kingdom Parliamentary Publishings. June 1981. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  6. ^ a b British Army, 1991 Master Order of Battle, Ministry of Defence, London. London, United Kingdom. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  7. ^ 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 2021-11-24 at the Wayback Machine" (PDF). Relics in Upper Saxony & Bremen. Retrieved 15 December 2021 .
  8. ^ "The Wire: The Royal Signals Magazine" (PDF). Royal Corps of Signals Museum (January 1981 ed.). January 1981. p. 352. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  9. ^ Watson & Rinaldi, pp. 73–76
  10. ^ Staff Officers' Handbook for 1988, p. 47
  11. ^ a b "The Wire: The Royal Corps of Signals Magazine" (PDF). Royal Corps of Signals Museum. Royal Corps of Signals Association. February 2005. pp. 9–10. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  12. ^ "International Confederation of Reserve Officers Symposium 2019" (PDF). CIOR/CIOMR SUMMER CONGRESS 2019. 7 August 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  13. ^ a b c . 2007-06-10. Archived from the original on 2007-06-10. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ "MoD Stafford". TheyWorkForYou. Retrieved 2021-12-17.
  16. ^ "MOD Stafford (Beacon Barracks) - Stafford | military". wikimapia.org. Retrieved 2021-12-17.
  17. ^ "Defence Digest: Magazine of the Defence Support Group". Yumpu. September 2009. p. 5. from the original on 2021-12-17. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  18. ^ . 2007-06-26. Archived from the original on 2007-06-26. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  19. ^ "Reserves (Review) - Tuesday 28 April 2009 - Hansard - UK Parliament". hansard.parliament.uk. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
  20. ^ Royal Corps of Signals, The Wire for October 2009: The Journal of the Royal Corps of Signals. Retrieved 15 December 2021
  21. ^ "The Wire: The Royal Corps of Signals Magazine" (PDF). Royal Corps of Signals Museum (January 1983 ed.). Royal Corps of Signals Association. January 1983. p. 371. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  22. ^ Lord & Watson, pp. 152–186
  23. ^ Lord & Watson, pp. 207–208
  24. ^ a b Lord & Watson, p. 141
  25. ^ a b Lord & Watson, p. 142
  26. ^ Lord & Watson, p. 145
  27. ^ Lord & Watson, p. 168–170
  28. ^ Lord & Watson, pp. 182–183
  29. ^ a b . 2008-01-01. Archived from the original on 2008-01-01. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  30. ^ . 2007-10-06. Archived from the original on 2007-10-06. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  31. ^ . 2007-10-09. Archived from the original on 2007-10-09. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  32. ^ Lord & Watson, p. 140
  33. ^ . 2008-10-13. Archived from the original on 2008-10-13. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  34. ^ . 2007-10-22. Archived from the original on 2007-10-22. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  35. ^ 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.

References Edit

  • 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.
  • Watson, Graham E.; Rinaldi, Richard A. (2005). The British Army in Germany (British Army of the Rhine and After): an Organizational History 1947 – 2004 (Amazon link). Tiger Lilly Publications LLC. ISBN 978-0972029698. OCLC 241300352.
  • Staff Officers' Handbook. Army Code No. 71030, D/DAT/13/35/54. Whitehall, London, United Kingdom: Ministry of Defence. September 1988.

August 26, 2023
12th, signal, brigade, united, kingdom, 12th, signal, brigade, later, 12th, signal, group, military, communications, formation, british, army, commanding, regiments, royal, corps, signals, initially, formed, 1967, brigade, would, provide, rear, defence, commun. 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 12th Signal Group12th Signal BrigadeBrigade patchActive1967 19922004 2009Country United KingdomBranch British ArmyRoleMilitary communicationsSizeGroup amp BrigadeBrigade Headquarters to 1992 Duke of York s Headquarters Chelsea LondonGroup Headquarters from 2004 Beacon Barracks StaffordInsigniaCap badge of the Royal Corps of SignalsRoyal Corps of Signals TRF Contents 1 History 1 1 First Formation 1 2 Second Formation 2 Organisation 2 1 First Formation 2 2 Second Formation 3 Commanders 4 Footnotes 5 ReferencesHistory EditFirst Formation Edit 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 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 3 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 4 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 3 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 2 4 3 6 7 8 9 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 10 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 3 Second Formation Edit 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 amp Cheshire 34th Northern and 35th South Midlands Signal Regiments were grouped into the 12th Signal Group 11 12th Signal Group s commander was the deputy commander of 11th Signal Brigade and was first appointed in 2004 12 13 Shortly after formation the group transferred to 1st United Kingdom Signal Brigade providing rear trunk communications 11 14 The group established its headquarters at Beacon Barracks in Stafford and oversaw the TA regiments within the brigade 15 16 17 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 13 18 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 19 20 Organisation EditFirst Formation Edit 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 4 21 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 2 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 amp Belgium 2 81 Signal Squadron provided maintenance work and installation of the STARNET system at RAF airfields in Germany alongside 16th and 21st Signal Regiments 3 12th Signal Group Brigade 2 4 6 22 23 Group Headquarters at the Duke of York s Headquarters Chelsea London 4 3 34th Northern Signal Regiment Royal Corps of Signals V RHQ in Middlesbrough on mobilisation to provide communications between the Channel Ports and the rear boundary of 1st British Corps 24 36th Eastern Signal Regiment Royal Corps of Signals V RHQ in Wanstead providing communications support to 1st British Corps 25 40th Ulster Signal Regiment Royal Corps of Signals V RHQ in Belfast providing communication support to 1st British Corps 26 56 Signal Squadron Royal Corps of Signals V in Eastbourne providing communications between the Channel Ports and the Belgium 27 81 Signal Squadron Royal Corps of Signals V in Middlesbrough initially known as 81 Northern Ireland Signal Squadron until 1972 then transferred to Middlesbrough from Belfast under 40th Signal Regiment and made independent providing air formation signal communications support at RAF Airfields in Germany 2 28 Second Formation Edit 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 29 12th Signal Group 13 14 30 Group Headquarters at Beacon Barracks Stafford 33rd Lancashire and Cheshire Signal Regiment Royal Corps of Signals V RHQ in Huyton Liverpool 29 31 providing communications support for the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps 32 34th Northern Signal Regiment Royal Corps of Signals V RHQ in Middlesbrough 33 provides theatre level communications support for the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps 24 35th South Midland Signal Regiment Royal Corps of Signals V RHQ in Coventry 34 provides rear area communications in Europe supporting Allied Rapid Reaction Corps 25 Commanders EditCommanders of the brigade group have included 35 April 1967 December 1968 Brigadier Peter D Vaigncourt Strallen December 1968 June 1971 Brigadier Arthur J Jackson 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 BurkeFootnotes Edit Lord amp Watson p 136 a b c d e f g Lord amp Watson pp 131 132 a b c d e f g The Wire The Royal Corps of Signals Magazine PDF Royal Corps of Signals Museum February 1993 ed Royal Corps of Signals Association February 1993 p 92 Archived PDF from the original on 2021 07 22 Retrieved 18 December 2021 a b c d e f 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 The United Kingdom Defence Programme The Way Forward PDF United Kingdom Parliamentary Publishings June 1981 Retrieved 18 December 2021 a b British Army 1991 Master Order of Battle Ministry of Defence London London United Kingdom Retrieved 15 December 2021 Fritz Alter October 2018 British Army of the Rhine amp Royal Air Force Germany 1989 Organisation and stationing of the British Armed Forces in Germany in 1989 Archived 2021 11 24 at the Wayback Machine PDF Relics in Upper Saxony amp Bremen Retrieved 15 December 2021 The Wire The Royal Signals Magazine PDF Royal Corps of Signals Museum January 1981 ed January 1981 p 352 Retrieved 18 December 2021 Watson amp Rinaldi pp 73 76 Staff Officers Handbook for 1988 p 47 a b The Wire The Royal Corps of Signals Magazine PDF Royal Corps of Signals Museum Royal Corps of Signals Association February 2005 pp 9 10 Retrieved 18 December 2021 International Confederation of Reserve Officers Symposium 2019 PDF CIOR CIOMR SUMMER CONGRESS 2019 7 August 2019 Retrieved 17 December 2021 a b c 11th Signal Brigade 2007 06 10 Archived from the original on 2007 06 10 Retrieved 2021 12 15 a b The Posthorn Magazine of the Postal amp Courier Services Branch Royal Engineers PDF Postal amp Courier Services Branch of the Royal Engineers Association August 2011 p 5 Retrieved 17 December 2021 MoD Stafford TheyWorkForYou Retrieved 2021 12 17 MOD Stafford Beacon Barracks Stafford military wikimapia org Retrieved 2021 12 17 Defence Digest Magazine of the Defence Support Group Yumpu September 2009 p 5 Archived from the original on 2021 12 17 Retrieved 17 December 2021 Digital Communications 2007 06 26 Archived from the original on 2007 06 26 Retrieved 2021 12 15 Reserves Review Tuesday 28 April 2009 Hansard UK Parliament hansard parliament uk Retrieved 2021 06 29 Royal Corps of Signals The Wire for October 2009 The Journal of the Royal Corps of Signals Retrieved 15 December 2021 The Wire The Royal Corps of Signals Magazine PDF Royal Corps of Signals Museum January 1983 ed Royal Corps of Signals Association January 1983 p 371 Retrieved 18 December 2021 Lord amp Watson pp 152 186 Lord amp Watson pp 207 208 a b Lord amp Watson p 141 a b Lord amp Watson p 142 Lord amp Watson p 145 Lord amp Watson p 168 170 Lord amp Watson pp 182 183 a b 33 Signal Regiment Volunteers 2008 01 01 Archived from the original on 2008 01 01 Retrieved 2021 12 15 United Kingdom 2007 10 06 Archived from the original on 2007 10 06 Retrieved 2021 12 15 55 Merseyside HQ Signal Squadron 2007 10 09 Archived from the original on 2007 10 09 Retrieved 2021 12 15 Lord amp Watson p 140 Squadron Locations 2008 10 13 Archived from the original on 2008 10 13 Retrieved 2021 12 15 35 Signal Regiment How to find us 2007 10 22 Archived from the original on 2007 10 22 Retrieved 2021 12 15 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 References EditLord Cliff Watson Graham 2004 The Royal Corps of Signals unit histories of the Corps 1920 2001 and its antecedents Solihull West Midlands England Helion amp Company ISBN 978 1 874622 92 5 OCLC 184820114 Watson Graham E Rinaldi Richard A 2005 The British Army in Germany British Army of the Rhine and After an Organizational History 1947 2004 Amazon link Tiger Lilly Publications LLC ISBN 978 0972029698 OCLC 241300352 Staff Officers Handbook Army Code No 71030 D DAT 13 35 54 Whitehall London United Kingdom Ministry of Defence September 1988 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 12th Signal Brigade United Kingdom amp oldid 1085696777, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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