RSA Newsletter 2012
RSA Newsletter 2012
RSA Newsletter 2012
Here we are at the start of what should prove to be a very exciting year. The Queens Jubilee celebrations at the beginning of June will surely be a great occasion and Im sure we are all looking forward to the London Olympics later in July and August even if you havent got tickets for any of the events. The past year has seen some sad events as well as great changes. We said our last farewells to Major General Tony Boyle in October at a packed funeral service in Hay on Wye. There were few dry eyes in the church as Colonel Roger Thompson gave an inspiring eulogy over a well known former Signal Officer in Chief and Chairman of the Association. In the autumn, we also said farewell to Major General Jimmy Hellier, a character well known throughout the Corps in his day. We pass our condolences to Ann Boyle and to Margot Hellier and their families. The Corps, in common with other Arms and Services, no longer has a brigadier as its Head of Arm and we have lost the appointment of Signal Officer in Chief. We therefore bid farewell to Brigadier Tim Watts, as the last holder of the appointment, and thank him and his wife Claire for their terrific support of Association activities over the past 18 months or so, and of course we wish them all the very best for the future. We look forward to welcoming Colonel Graham Norton as the first Corps Colonel in due course. The National Memorial Arboretum continues to develop year on year, and we are most grateful to 37 Signal Regiment (V), and its quartermaster Captain Tom Lappin, for overseeing the work on our own memorial there. The surrounds to the base have been improved yet again, by the addition of a low brick wall and it is intended to plant a low yew hedge outside the brickwork. If you havent visited the NMA yet, do find the time to go there, it is well worth the visit. As ever, I am very grateful to all members of RHQ for the unstinting support they give to the Association. Peter Cuckow will be moving on in April and Ian Greig may follow later in the year. Of course we wish them all the very best for the future. They will both be a very hard act to follow. I look forward to seeing many of you again this year, either at your own branches or at the Annual Reunion in Blandford over the weekend 23 24 June. * * *
RSA Headquarters Home Team - L - R: Linda Sizeland, Ian Greig, Terry Canham, Peter Cuckow
Postings. Many more members are now providing details of the units in which they served during their time with the Corps. Using this information I am able to provide a list of those RSA members who served in their units around the same time. It is pleasing to note that many former friends have been reunited through this service including this; Amazing, many thanks for your help. I have had a reply from Colin and we are now in contact with one another. I am over the moon I am still recovering from the shock of finding my buddy after all the years I have tried and it was so simple with your help. Once again many thanks, you have made an old soldier very happy. Best wishes, Ron Branch News. The credit for the success story of the year must go to Tony Knight. Tony resurrected the Hartlepool Branch, which had closed earlier in the year and through his enthusiasm and hard work, now has a flourishing membership list. Derek Fisher has started a new Branch, based in the Tameside area of Manchester, now giving the city its 3rd Branch. Sadly we lost Bill Winder, who died whilst serving as Hon Secretary of the Chester Branch. Bill and I go back to the mid 70s when we served together at 2 Div Sig Regt in Bunde. Also during the year we lost Ray Woolley, who, with the aid of his wife Jean, had been keeping the Cotswolds Branch afloat. Both Bill and Ray were staunch supporters of the Assn and attended our AGM every year. The 602 Sig Tp (SC) Assn of Friends is now known as Assn of Friends (Special Comms). The Special Comms (TA) Assn is now affiliated to the RSA. Contact for these and all our branches/affiliated assns can be obtained from Assn HQ (or, in most cases, on the RSA website). Several of the Branch Secretaries advertise their meetings on the RSA Facebook page and I understand that a few new members have been gleaned in this way. Our 68 branches and 32 affiliated assns continue to give splendid support to the Royal Signals Benevolent Fund and in 2011 they donated a total of 5563.24. WHAT GOES ON IN THE BRANCHES? An insight into branch activities is shown below. It is hoped that perhaps it might prompt some members to find out about their local branch. One thing is for sure, you (and your spouse/partner) will always enjoy a warm welcome as a new member of a Branch. Go on, try it, you may discover that you should have done it sooner! South Staffs Branch - from Vee Moore, Hon Secretary. Derek and I took over as the Poppy Appeal Organisers for the Tamworth area this year. We had a really good year and collected 34,800 which is 12,000 up on last year. We had help from SSgt Paul Chamberlain and a team of signallers from 258 Signal Squadron, Bramcote, Nuneaton. The signallers came to Tamworth on Thursday 10th November, grabbed their collecting tins and boxes of poppies and went to work at Asda and Sainsburys supermarkets. They did a phenomenal job for the Poppy Appeal and they even took the tins back to camp and counted the money themselves (a huge job I can tell you). Imagine my surprise when Paul called me to say they had collected 1540! Derek and I were invited to the barracks for a cheque presentation where we met the signallers who
RSA Newsletter 2012
The RSA Admin Officer in his office with his collection of RSA and Association Branch shields
had volunteered their help. What a great bunch of lads and lasses they are. We had a chat over a cup of coffee then went outside for a photo-call (photo shown). Paul said they are willing to help again this year and to give him a call, which I fully intend to do. Cornwall Branch. Throughout the past year we have continued to hold our bi-monthly meetings at the Truro RBL. We have alternate meetings/get togethers for lunch at pubs in various locations within in the County. On 6 October one of our members, Dave Ward, who works at RNAS Culdrose, arranged for us to visit the base and see a demonstration of fire fighting. Also with the use of a Dummy Deck we saw a demonstration of aircraft handling on board an aircraft carrier. Last year we held one day collections for the RSA Benevolent Fund at Morrisons (Newquay), Tesco (Wadebridge) and our annual 2 day collection at Trago Stores (Liskard). As a result of these collections we were able to send a donation of 1100 for the Benevolent Fund. We are a very small branch of the RSA but in past years we have collected many thousands of pounds and are one of the largest, it not the largest, contributors to the Fund. This was recognised by a letter from the General Secretary Col T W Canham in which he congratulated the Branch on its magnificent contribution to the fund this and past years. As Trago Mills has been our regular annual collection store the Chairman of the RSA Brig N F Wood also sent a letter to them thanking them for allowing the Branch to collect there and went on to say where the monies collected were being spent. In addition our Branch Chairman has also presented a Corps plaque to the manager of Trago Mills, this was duly observed with a press release and photographs. Darlington Branch. To celebrate the Branch Diamond Anniversary, a formal Ladies Dinner was held in the TA Centre, Neasham Road, in July and the Worshipful the Mayor of Darlington, Councilor Lee Vasey and her Escort, Councilor John Vasey, together with the Representative Colonel Commandant of the Royal Corps of Signals, Brigadier John Thomas MBE and his wife Janet were invited as guests. The woodwind section of the Corps Northern Band played a selection of music during a superb 5 course dinner by kind permission of the CO of 32 Sig Regt, Lt Col P Donegan. After dinner the Branch Chairman, Ron Botham welcomed the Mayor and Brigadier, and gave a short history of the Branch, picking out a few notable members over the years, one, who was present, being Jack Dobson, the only member left who was part of the reformation of the Branch in 1945 (Jack was 94 in October). Mr Botham concluded by presenting the Mayor with a Corps Plaque to be displayed in the Mayors Parlour. The Mayor responded with her thanks and a short speech, ending with her presenting the Branch with a Ships Decanter on an inscribed wooden base, this was warmly received by Mr Botham. The Brigadier then followed with a brief resume of the state of the Corps, which appears to be going from strength to strength, and took great delight in being asked to present a 75 year pennant to be displayed with our Branch Standard. Our Branch Standard Bearer, Ken Coates, lowered the Standard to allow the Brigadier, ably assisted by Jack Dobson, to tie the pennant on to the top of the Standard. Our Branch President, Cyril Cooke, was invited to cut the cake and diners were invited to partake of a piece at their leisure. Following the formalities, light music was played in the background and the evening slowly wound down over happy memory discussions. Scarborough Branch. Our monthly meetings are held in the Duchess Pub in Scarborough as the Coldyhill Barracks could no longer accommodate us due to staffing shortage. We meet on the second Monday of each month and on average 20 members attend, bearing in mind we have a mainly elderly membership. Come on all you younger Royal Signals, we welcome your company! We do from time to time enjoy the company of regular Corps members from the Radio Station, CSOS. Besides the normal business side of our meetings we have some well attended social activities (usually involving food!). We are fortunate that the Duchess restaurant side of the business is superb. We raise funds to help needy local families with children who require special equipment due to a disability. The Armed Forces Day in Scarborough this year is to be held on 23rd June and all members are encouraged to take part in the parade which takes place along the foreshore. Last year a rescue display was demonstrated out at sea with all the necessary life boats and air sea rescue helicopter. Although this was a mock rescue it was quite convincing and one could only admire the bravery of all who took part. Berwick Branch. As background Berwick upon Tweed is 2 miles south of the Scottish border and has, through the ages, changed hands between England and Scotland no less than 13 times! Natives of the town describe themselves as Berwickers as opposed to Scots or English. We have a dialect of our own which is a mixture of lowland Scot and North Northumbrian with the odd word of Romany, Afghan and Hindu thrown in for good measure! We also have the first barracks built in Great Britain and one of only 2 churches built during the protectorship of Oliver Cromwell. The Branch was formed in early 2000 with founder Frank Dempster wearing the hat of each office holder until a recruiting campaign attracted enough members to form an official Branch and we were officially recognised as such and given formal approval by the Corps Committee in November of the same year. Our first elected President was Eric Lomax, the Chairman Mick Bennett and Treasurer/Sec Frank Dempster. Since 2000 we have gone from strength to strength. We meet once a month and we encourage wives and partners to join us on a regular basis. As Berwick is a tight knit community, without a functioning RBL Social Club, we spread the net for associate members to include those personnel who had previously served alongside the Corps and were pleasantly surprised at how many who applied to join us. These include RAMC, RADC, RAchD, REME and ACC. So we have our own Medic, Dentist, Padre (still practising), Mechanic and Master Chef!
Eric Lomax is still our President. Eric is the author of the book titled The Railwayman in which he re-counts his experiences at the hands of his Japanese captors on the Burma Railway during the 2nd World War. His book has already been turned into a TV docu/film starring John Hurt but is now being adapted for the big screen with Colin Firth playing the part of Eric, and Rachel Weiss playing the part of Patti his wife. Major Gus Boag is our current Chairman and he commutes from his lair up in Selkirk in the Scottish Borders to all of our meetings, a round trip of 80 miles. We have 2 members in South East Northumberland who travel the same distance but in a northerly direction. We even have a member who resides in Spain (Tony Tait) and he and his wife Sandra travel back to Berwick for the big occasions. Such is the pulling power we have! George Taylor is our Treasurer. Aldershot Branch. A bright Sept morning an enthusiastic group of members, wives and friends left Aldershot, coach-bound for a fascinating day at the Museum of London. We were met by Laurence, an exuberant and highly knowledgeable young man, who was our Guide for the morning. He treated us to nearly 2 hours of the highlights of the Museum. He conducted us first through some remarkable exhibits from prehistoric settlements in the Thames valley, through Londinium of Roman times to the medieval era, where he gave graphic descriptions of the Black Death and the Great Plague, culminating in the Fire of London. On to the more salubrious scene of the recently refurbished Galleries of Modern London, which brought us from the 17th Century to the present day. The exhibits were truly diverse. To name but a few: a cell door from Newgate prison and the walls of the cells interior, a 240-year old printing press, a street of Victorian shops, with original shop fronts, an art deco lift from Selfridges and a section from Joe Lyons Coventry Street Corner House, complete with hologram of a Nippy waitress! Perhaps the most impressive was the Lord Mayors Coach, housed in the Museum and used annually for the Lord Mayors Show. The visit was generally acclaimed as worthwhile and highly enjoyable day out and we recommend it to other Branches that may be considering outings for their members. We held our very first daytime talk at the Fleet Parish Community Centre on 27 Oct. Billed as a pilot run, to test whether our members prefer this kind of event to evening talks, it seems to have been a resounding success. The attendance of 37 was a record, the spacious venue was well-approved by the members and the talk on Victorian Leisure and Pleasure by Ian Bevan was received with enthusiam. Highlights of the talk included descriptions of the huge exhibitions at the Crystal Palace and the popularity of the Music Halls. The speaker even had our audience singing lustily to the Old Bull and Bush! The presentation culminated in a delightful film-clip of Little Tich, performing an acrobatic act. Sunday 6 Nov was the occasion of our Branch Autumn Lunch, a regular and very popular event on our calendar, held in our usual venue, the Camberley Heath Golf Club. We had 57 attendees, only 3 short of maximum capacity, our guest of honour being Brigadier Nigel Wood, Chairman of the RSA. It was a happy occasion and he was delighted to meet several old friends with whom he had served. Brigadier Nigel took the opportunity to give the Branch an update on the Corps in action and some insight into the many discussions and plans as they affect both the serving corps and the Assn in these interesting times. This was a fitting occasion on which to present the award of the Associations 50 Year Badge to Lt Col (Retd) Denis Oakley, who can count 31 years service in the Corps plus 19 in the Assn as ample qualification. A one time instructor in the School of Signals at Catterick, many years in the then Ministry of Technology, plus time in SHAPE and on secondment in Malaya make for an interesting and varied career. Corps Memorial. Capt Tom Lappin (QM 37 Sig Regt(V)) has organised a splendid enhancement of the Corps Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas. Giving Tom vital support in the labour department (to keep the costs down) were WO2 (RQMS) Robbo Robertson and SSgt (SQMS) Andy Milton. The area surrounding the memorial has been extending outwards by 3 metres, with a low brick wall around the circumference. A blessing to mark the redevelopment took place at the Memorial on 27 July 2011. Present were Commander 2 Sig Bde, the Regimental Col, RSA members, plus officers and soldiers from the Regiment. Tom Lappin is now organizing the planting a low hedge to soften the appearance of the brickwork. Donations. In addition to the 5563.24 donated by RSA Branches, the following donations were gratefully received into the Royal Signals Benevolent Fund in 2011: from individuals- 17,319.50. Corps wristband sales - 4,397.88. From units - 8,962.47. From Just giving (online donating) - 6,721.68. Remittances for Life Members of the RSA - 830.00. Newsletter. Every year many copies of our newsletter are Return to sender - person moved away. If the postal address for you on the envelope containing this newsletter is incorrect in any detail, would you kindly inform us in order that we might amend our records. Likewise, if you are moving, we would appreciate your new address so that we can remain in touch with you. Please be assured that members personal details are never divulged to unauthorized persons. If you received this by post and have an e-mail address, you might like to provide us with it in order that we can send you the newsletter and other items of interest by this means. If you wish to add your tribute to anyone in the Corps Online Memorial Book, go to our website and follow the link at the foot of the home page. If you wish to add a name to the book (from any era), please send the details to Assn HQ. * * *
WELFARE
2012 promises to be a year of big celebrations with the Queens Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics. Even though very few of us will be personally involved with these events they will hopefully draw us together as a community and give us a surge of national pride again like we saw with the royal wedding last year. However, unfortunately for many this year will continue to be difficult with increasing pressures on finances causing distress and concern. If you are aware of a former or present Signaller and their dependants who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress please remind them of our existence. All information on eligibility, types of assistance available and contact details can be found on the excellent RSA web-site: www.royalsignalsassociation.co.uk. Basically initial contact should be made with SSAFA or the Royal British Legion (RBL) who then in turn will forward an application to the RSA Welfare for financial assistance. We rely heavily on the casework carried out by SSAFA Forces Help and the RBL to provide all the relevant information upon which decisions can be made. If necessary we liaise with the Army Benevolent Fund The Soldiers Charity, The Officers Association, the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League, Combat Stress, Veterans Agency and many more. 2011 saw an increase of nearly 32k in grants. Our total spend for the year was 372,431. All applications are judged on their merits but in all cases the question of need is the most significant factor. Timing is a very important factor when dealing with cases of need as we endeavour to deal with applications as quickly as possible. It is amazing how one grant at the right time can really make a difference to the quality of someones life and their future. Grants are not made to individuals direct but through the sponsoring welfare organisation. All cases for 600 and below are considered on a daily basis by our Assistant Regimental Secretary; Major Ian Greig. Over the past 12 months the Royal Signals Benevolent Fund (regular and major grants) provided 372,431 of assistance to 697 applicants. These grants have been instrumental in providing 45 Electric Scooters, 6 stair lifts and 16 level access showers. There are numerous other types of assistance requested such as help with priority bills (rent or utilities), clothing, emergency house repairs etc. Assistance over 601 up to the maximum of 1,200 is considered at the Major Grants Meetings (MG). The MG meetings take place once a month. Each meeting is attended by me (Linda) the Welfare Secretary, a Retired Officer, a serving Field Officer and an NCO. The Retired Officer is selected from a list of nine volunteer Chairmen who kindly give up their time once or twice a year to lead a meeting. The Field Officer is selected from within HQ SOinC(A) so, as there is a limited number to pick or nominate, we are often lucky to see the same officer attend more than once during their posting at Blandford Camp. Each attendee has the task of considering the applications and deciding the level of assistance they feel appropriate. We usually have an average of 12 cases per meeting although it has been known to reach over 20 in busier periods. Our average spend (using the figures from Jan 2011 Dec 2011) is 11,260 per meeting. Georgeous little Ashton George had to have heart surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
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A donation to LCpl Kevin George helped to ease the financial burden at an extremely stressful time for the family allowing them to fully focus on Ashton.
LCpl Kevin George - Ashton is doing really well to date. He is still attending Great Ormond Street Hospital every few weeks for his regular check-ups and echos. The consultants and surgeons are pleased with his progress, so we are hoping that there will be no further intervention needed until his third heart surgery that will be due from the age of 2 years. Cpl Christopher Hulse and Miya. Baby Miya has Hurler disease, a degenerative disease requiring ongoing treatment culminating in a bone marrow transplant in the future. Along with the Royal Logistic Corps Association Trust the RSA was able to assist the Hulse family with travel and accommodation costs during little Miyas hospital treatment.
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RSA AWARDS Many congratulations to the recipients of the following RSA awards gained in 2011: Honour Membership (For outstanding service to the RSA over many years) Mr Bill Gardener - Bedford Branch Mr James Anderson - Bedford Branch Mr Peter Howells - Swindon Branch
50 Year Badge (In recognition of 50 years combined service: Regular, TA, NS and active support to a RSA branch) Lt Col Denis Oakley - Aldershot Branch Lt Col Jim M Ross - Dorset Branch Mr Tony Benson - Liverpool Branch Mr Harry OMahoney - Catterick Branch Lt Col Don Capon MBE - Bath Branch Lt Col Ernie C Short - Bath Branch Lt Col Ron C Brodie - Eastbourne Branch Mr Terry Hill - Dorset Branch Maj Ian Forbes - Catterick Branch Mr Roy Baldwin - Bath Branch Maj Jim Peck - Bath Branch Mr Steve Bland - 56 Div Sigs OCA
Associate Life Membership (Awarded to those who did not serve in the Corps, but give outstanding support to a branch) Mrs Mary Pagan - Aldershot Branch * * *
RSA Newsletter 2012 5
A new post, the Corps Colonel, will be created. He will be the head of the serving Corps, like the SOinC(A) is now, with specific responsibilities for ethos, support to recruiting, support to the Military Secretary and the APC, the retired Corps and the wider family, benevolence and operational support, heritage and the Museum. Importantly, he will visit units and provide reports back to HQ Land Forces if necessary to CGS himself helping assure the health and effectiveness of our profession and wider family into the future. These changes are mirrored elsewhere across almost all of the Army, including the Armoured Corps, Infantry, Artillery, Engineers, Intelligence Corps, Logistics Corps and REME.
That said there is plenty that we should now be looking forward to; not least the future signalling challenges that lie ahead during the transitional phases of the draw down in HERRICK. Taking on more responsibility and coming up with a coherent plan to rationalise and enable applications and the delivery of information as well as the usual radio and trunk systems. However our most onerous future task is to maintain the Corps technical excellence within each trade sphere and keep technically relevant to ensure we as a Corps mould what future communications systems are used throughout the Corps and Army. Along with this will be ensuring the rest of the Army know and understand communications and information systems and are trained to the relevant standard to best manage and exploit information (presently referred to as Skill at Information, in the same manner we have Skill at Arms training). Oh, and of course, that is before we mention cyber. Our display teams were once again put through their paces prior to the Opening Show and then went on to have a demanding but very successful display season with the White Helmets and Corps Bands being in particular demand. The Colonel in Chief has continued to show her commitment to the Corps by kindly agreeing to be the presenting officer at the 216 (Parachute) Signal Squadron Operational Medal parade at the Royal Hospital Chelsea and, at a visit to 299 (SC) Signal Squadron. This will continue through-out 2012 with planned visits to some of our Germany based units. Corps Sports continues to go from strength to strength which has seen team and individual success at Inter Corps, Army, Combined Services and National levels. Sport and adventure training in spite of our operational and exercise commitments is still well supported at Regimental and Corps levels. Highlights. The following sports achieved some notable results. a. Snowboarding. There has been a vast improvement in the numbers attending the Corps Snowboarding Championships which has paid dividends with the team being pipped in to second place by one and at the same time gaining 7 gliders being selected for the Army Team. b. Skiing. The Corps Ski Camp was once again extremely successful seeing 9 of the 60 participants qualify for the Divisional Championships with varying results. Of particular note was Sgt Howe 3rd and Maj Arthurton 9th at Ex SPARTAN HIKE with Maj Arthurton also gaining best veteran. c. Bobsleigh. Last year I told you of the success of Cpl Paula Walker with the GB Olympic Bobsled Team. This year Cpl Walker continued to train with the GB Team and focused her efforts towards the World Junior Championships. A focus which clearly paId off as she was crowned World Junior Champion. On top of this she received the Army Sportswoman of the Year Award. d. Cross Country. After a successful winter training camp in Cyprus the Corps has reaped its rewards with 4 teams competing at Inter Corps level for the first time with extremely promising results. Male Junior Team 1st of 5 Female Team Male Senior Team Male Veteran Team 3rd of 8 4th of 10 3rd of 5.
Of particular note our best placed individual was Sig Kiran (30 Sig Regt) placed 2nd Junior Male and 11 (RSS) Sig Regt regained the Army Cross Country Team Championship Crown. e. Football. The Corps Football teams have had another excellent season with the female team in their strongest position for 6 years. At the same time the male team are also in second place in the league still with an outside chance of winning the Massey Trophy Inter Corps League. This is on top of being beaten finalists in the League Cup. In total the Corps had 8 members in the Army Team with 5 members going on to represent the Combined Services against France.
f. Rugby. At Inter Corps level the Corps team is still in a rebuilding process and has encountered some problems in fielding a team this season, however at unit level 21 Sig Regt (AS) secured the Army Challenge Cup win with an impressive but hard fought battle against 26 Regt RA winning after extra time. This win is all the more impressive as the unit is in the final stages of PDT. g. Tug of War. Pre season has gone extremely well with both 11 (RSS) Sig Regt and 30 Sig Regt teams looking forward to a new season in which they look forward to building on last years success at Army and Inter Service level with 11(RSS) Sig Regt once again looking to retain their Braemer Highland games title. h. Orienteering. A successful year for both male and female teams which culminated with the female team being crowned Inter Corps champions. 11 (RSS) Sig Regt were also crowned Army Champions. i. Swimming and Water Polo. An extremely successful year retaining the Army Water Polo crown for a stunning 10 year and being runners up in the swimming. j. Hockey. Once again a very successful year with the male team becoming indoor and outdoor Inter Corps champions and the female out door Inter Corps Champions. These are uncertain but interesting times to be in the Army but great times to be in the Corps, a Corps which is presently highly respected and greatly in demand but most importantly a Corps that still offers massive diversity and opportunity and challenges for all ranks. As I approach the end of my tenure as Corps Regimental Sergeant Major and hand over to Regimental Sergeant Major Mark McMullan, I am immensely proud of how highly our soldiers and the Corps as a whole are regarded by the rest of the Army. Thank you for your continued support to RSA and the serving Corps. Certa Cito AP McBean Warrant Officer Class One Corps Regimental Sergeant Major Eds comment: Tony has been provided much valuable assistance to the RSA during his time as Corps RSM and I am sure that all who know him will join me in wishing him every success as he moves to his next posting. Few outside of the HQ will realise that the CRSM is actually a commissioned officer. He is paid as a captain with seniority from the date appointed CRSM.
LINE BELTS
It is understood from the Corps RSM that, in recognition of its historical importance, the Linebelt will be retained for ceremonial wear by specific appointments. The following is an extract from the Royal Signals Information Note to be published on this subject: 1. From 1st October, we cease teaching line skills in the way we have done previously, and the new Communications Logistics Specialist (CLS) trade has been born, replacing Driver Lineman Storeman (DLS). This reflects the need for individuals with specialist skills to manage our inventory of IT equipment and the continued need for MT specialists. We continue to need installation and fibre specialists our Installation Technicians - and all trades need some basic cabling skills. These are being built into our 21st Century Basic Signalling Skills initiative. These conclusions have been reached through wide consultation across the Corps non-commissioned ranks and from lessons on operations and in training. As a result of the demise of the Line trade a decision has been made to cease the wearing of Line belts with immediate effect. 2. The Line Belt has been something of a divisive influence within the DLS trade and is no longer available through the military stores system. The CLS trade does not represent a trade that could or should be synonymous with the role and history behind the wearing of the Line Belt, therefore after much debate and consultation It has been decided that Line Belts will no longer be worn in Cbt95, MTP, PCS or barrack dress by all Royal Signals soldiers regardless of background (Lineman, Driver Lineman Storeman, or Communications Logistics Specialists). The CofC are requested to ensure this policy is implemented with immediate effect. 3. To ensure the historic value, recognition and worth of the Line Belt and Line Trade is maintained and continues to be passed on throughout the future generations of the Corps, there are 2 exemptions to this regulation and they are: a. Those instructors in Cable System Group who will teach line skill as part of the 21st Century Basic Signalling Skills package. b. Those in Provo Sgt appointments within Royal Signals units.
These appointments have been specifically chosen due to their historic link with Linemen and for that reason they may wear the line belt in the following forms of dress No 1, 2 and 8 dress. This exemption will only apply for the duration of the time in the specific appointments mentioned above. This is both a tough decision to make, and a recognition that we have to move with or, preferably, ahead of the times; but made it is.
THE WIRE
A report by Keith Pritchard, Editor. Over the past year we have continued to develop The Wire by giving it a more up to date feel, full colour pages and more photos. We have also tried to change the format of the content, but not the general layout. What we have tried to encourage, however, is for submissions to be more article rather than report biased. This allows us to do so much more when compiling the magazine. We have also tried to make the magazine more informative, an initiative driven personally by SOinC(A). This covers anything from Corps updates, crucial in these times of the Strategic Defence & Security Review (SDSR), equipment updates and some of the more interesting and obscure postings. Notable ones over the past 12 months include a report from the Military Stabilisation Support Group on Op HERRICK 13, life in the 1 Royal Welsh Infantry Support Team and the latest 2, Cultural Advisor in the Defence Culture Specialist Unit on Op HERRICK and the role of the Somalia Desk Officer in MOD. We are also receiving some great reports from Units on operations, and not just HERRICK. Units are also advertising their roles in an effort to encourage volunteers. As a result we are now about 50% over subscribed for every edition and something has to give. It is difficult editing out articles, especially after knowing the effort involved from individuals producing them. We have already increased the size from 96 to 112 pages and are now at the upper limit. This may be a problem for the editorial team, but it is one that we are happy to confront instead of struggling to find content to put in the magazine. Looking towards the back of the magazine now, the RSA section is sacrosanct. For many it is the bond between old friends and the link to the serving Corps. As such, Branch submissions will always appear, pretty much to their full length without being over-edited. Sadly a perpetual moan from the Wire Office is the quality of photographs. The availability of mobile phones has opened a Pandoras box for opportunity photographs. Sadly the quality is such that whilst we can use them, we cannot do a lot with them and they certainly will not make the front or back covers.
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Royal Signals Motorcycle Display Team (The White Helmets) Show Calendar 2012
21 Apr Corps Opening Show 24 - 27 Apr Armed Forces Careers Exhibition 19 - 20 May BMF Show 26 May AGC Corps Day 1 -2 Jun Dover Military Tattoo 15 - 17 Jun Three Counties Show 23 Jun RSA Reunion 24 Jun NE Lincolnshire Military Tattoo 27 Jun Garrison Cocktail Party 30 Jun Armed Forces Day 4 Jul Jimmys Day 14 Jul ATR Open Day 28 Jul Banchory Show 4 Aug Perth Show 11 Aug Dalbeattie Civic Day 25 Aug Poynton Show 26 - 27 Aug West Midland Game Fair 29 Aug - 2 Sep Great Dorset Steam Fair 8 Sep Chalfont St Giles Show 23 Sep Museum of Flight * * * Blandford Grantham & Bassingbourn Peterborough Worthy Down Kent Malvern Blandford Cleethorpes Blandford Plymouth Chicksands Pirbright Scotland Scotland Scotland Cheshire Nuneaton Blandford Bedfordshire Edinburgh
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NOTICES
Assn of Friends (Special Comms) Annual Reunion Dinner will be held in Hereford on Sat 21 Apr. This is the 25th anniversary of the Assn, which is open to serving and ex-members of; 602 Sig Tp(SC), 1 Sig Sqn, 299 Sig Sqn, partners and friends. If you would like to attend, or require any information, please contact the Secretary; [email protected] 4 Sqn, 22 Sig Regt. A reunion in Sep/Oct 2012 is planned for members of 4 Sqn, 22 Sig Regt, who served there between 1970 and 1975. Anyone interested please contact David Sykes at; [email protected] Air Formation Signals Assn. In line with the idea of moving the reunion around the country the 2012 reunion and AGM will be held at the Britannia Hotel, Leeds/Bradford Airport over the weekend 27/29th April. For those who would like to fly in for the reunion the hotel is situated within 2 miles of Leeds/Bradford Airport. Its location close to both Leeds and Bradford means that we have a very good choice of local attractions such as the Royal Armouries in Leeds and the National Photographic Museum in Bradford. Harrogate is also just a few miles away. Contact David Vickers on 01704-507 918. [email protected] 3rd Divisional Signals Reunion Club. The AGM and Lunch of the 3 Div Sig Reunion Club will be held at 1200hrs 31 March, 2012, at Picton Bks, Bulford. Contact: Colin Spencer Tel: 01603 404471, e-mail: [email protected] 16 Signal Regiment. Were you at 16 Sig Regt during the 1960s? If so, we are looking for new members for The 60s 16ers Reunion Club. There is a very entertaining reunion weekend in Oct at Disley, near Stockport. Interested, then contact secretary Beverley Robb on 01423-562781 or [email protected] Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal. HM The Queen has given approval for the formal wearing of the Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal (awarded to British and Commonwealth veterans who served in the conflict in Malaya in the late 1950s and 1960s). Royal Signals Museum. The Museum is looking for volunteers. They are looking for help in all departments; Curatorial, Archival, Reception and Shop, and Tour Guides. Training will be given. Although knowledge of the Corps, an interest in Military History or museums is an advantage, they are not completely essential. So if you are interested in helping or just looking for something constructive to do in your spare timewe would love to hear from you. Please e-mail Adam Forty at: [email protected] or call 01258-482 248. Remembrance Sunday Parade. The RSA is allocated only a limited number of tickets for the Remembrance Sunday Parade at the Cenotaph, Whitehall and for the opening of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey in November. Any member wishing to march with the Corps contingent at Whitehall, or join the Chairman RSA at the Corps plot at the Abbey, should give their name to Assn HQ. Scholarships. For the Sons and Daughters of Service Families, going to University, the Council of the Lord Kitchener National Memorial Fund offers for competition up to a maximum of 25 scholarships tenable from Oct 2012. The value of each scholarship will be 750 and will be paid to scholars at the beginning of their course. Full details of eligibility and how to apply are available on the website www.lknmf.com If more information is required please contact me as shown. Lt Col David N Hamilton MBE FInstRE, Secretary Lord Kitchener National Memorial Fund 01256465884 07931378876 www.lknmf.com RSA Car Stickers. The RSA car sticker can be obtained by sending a SAE with a 50p coin (for UK addresses) to Assn HQ. It is in Corps colours, with Jimmy in the centre. Project Noel III 7 9 December 2012. The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols will take place in Liverpool Cathedral during the afternoon of 7 December commencing 2.30pm. We are delighted that the Corps Band, The St. Nicholas Singers and Emma James have all accepted an invitation to perform. Following the Service there will be a reception tea at The Adelphi Hotel prior to a Regimental Dinner, previously held on the Saturday, in the evening. On Saturday 8 December there will be a Buffet Dance in the evening with Cabaret by Emma James. If you attended last year or the year before we are quite sure that you will wish to join us once again. If you havent been before then look at our website to whet your appetite. We are making arrangements for 2 and 3 night packages at the Adelphi Hotel as well as separate attendance of your choice at the Dinner on the Friday or Buffet on the Saturday. Full details will be appearing shortly on the website (projectnoelfest.co.uk). An additional facility this year will be arrangement to pay by standing order over a period of months leading up to the event. Payment by Paypal will also be available. We look forward to welcoming you. The Project Noel Team
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RAF Masirah/Salalah Association. Through the miracle of the internet, I, as a former Airfield troop commander of 222 (AF) Signal Squadron (Sharjah), have been kept informed of the formation of an association of (primarily) RAF personnel who served on these 2 airfields in Oman in the late 1960s-early 70s. I do not have contact information for any of the soldiers who were under my command on those detachments during my tour (196970) but I am hoping that you may have the means to pass the word that this group now exists. Their web site is www.omanrafveterans.org and there is a list of their contact emails under the contact tab. Retired officers who might be interested would include my predecessor John Hunter and my Sqn Commander of that time, Peter Treseder. I regret I cannot remember who took over from me!! I now live on the west Coast of the USA, so cannot attend any UK functions, but I would love to here from any of my old troop who contact you. You may share my email address. Maj (Retd) Tony Burtt. [email protected] Special Communications (TA) Association AGM and Reunion The AGM and Reunion will be held on Saturday 16th June 2012, from 10.30 am at Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire. MK3 6EB. Details are available from Julian Webster, [email protected] * * * Stop Press News from the Bath Branch RSA BATH AND DISTRICT - NOTES 2011 Our Branch has a large area mostly in the BA postcode although a few members live outside this area. We have about 120 members and use e-mail to communicate to most of them. The Branch Committee is Howard Ham, President; Richard Davis, Chairman; Bob Vale, Treasurer; Mike Macklin, Secretary; Maurice Davies and Dick Hemming. We were very pleased that 50 Year Badges were awarded to Roy Baldwin, Don Capon, Jim Peck and Ernie Short in 2011. The Branch is fortunate to have Royal Signals units and serving members of the Corps in the local area and our links with them and their support for many of the Branch functions is very much appreciated. We had a fascinating visit to the New Build at Corsham in June 2011. Our guides, Maj Andy Slack and WO1 (GSM) Mark Collins provided a comprehensive tour of the new buildings and a briefing of changes in the Corps before we went to see the new mess accommodation and meet serving members of the Corps over lunch. An excellent day to bring us up to date with what is happening! Dick Hemming organised an Open Top Bus Tour of Bath in October for the families of 21 Sig Regt (AS) while the Regiment was deployed to Afghanistan. His father, Harry Hemming, is a member of the Branch and works for the Bath Bus Company and was the guide. More than 30 wives and children were picked up from Colerne for a full 3 hour tour of Bath and the surrounding skyline before returning them home. Members of our Branch joined many citizens in honouring 21 Sig Regt (AS) at their Homecoming Parade when they were awarded the Freedom of the City of Bath on 23 November. Our Standard Bearer, Alun Stewart, was in attendance at the Abbey and the saluting base by the Guildhall for the March Past. Our AGM and Lunch was held September courtesy of 43 Sig Sqn (V) at their TA Centre in Bath. This was followed by the updates and reminiscences on members past and present over lunch. A dozen members visited Bletchley Park in April where the volunteers responsible for the site made us extremely welcome. The guided tour was first class covering the history of the site and the now famous machines involved in mastering the Enigma. The unchanged nature of the main house and the various huts provided just the right atmosphere for the visit and all agreed it was a most memorable day.
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LAST POST
Our respects are paid to the following RSA Life Members who passed away in 2011. Rank and Name Sgt E H Abrams Col G A Allen Maj J Bonnett LCpl G Baxter Maj Gen A H Boyle CB SSgt W D Brown Maj E R Cox Sig K C H Cattell WO2 A G Coxe Cpl W K Donnelly Maj G W Davey Sig C J Dixon Cpl P A Evans WO2 F P J Edge Cpl G S Fackrell Maj J W Fyfe WO2 P T Fernie WO2 L Gray Cpl E J Gill Sgt R Gordon WO2 G L Hall Sgt R Hadfield BEM Maj Gen E J Hellier CBE LCpl R P Hawkins WO1 A R Jarratt Lt R D King LCpl D Kenward Sig M W Lush Cpl F J Millward Cpl A MacGowan Sig A J Mawson Sgt H R Milnes Lt Col T P OConnor Sgt L Punter Sgt T W Potter Cpl D Parkinson Sig J H Roe Sgt D W Rowan Sgt G T Severs Sig W J Skeet Sig C J Stanley Sgt L A Smith Lt A Salazar Cpl P W Thomas Sig W F Voller-Beard Cpl J Weir LCpl L V Wright LCpl R O Woolley Sig P Yates Service 1942-47 1963-92 1961-93 1949-51 1961-96 1949-59 1939-46 1950-56 1939-69 1963-76 1943-48 1961-69 1957-68 1942-66 1939-47 1939-75 1950-75 1951-78 1959-71 1960-78 1948-60 1950-76 1945-81 1937-48 1943-70 1945-48 1954-57 1944-46 1959-68 1956-68 1959-61 1942-47 1937-77 1979-96 1952-70 1962-86 1950-52 1959-71 1942-54 1952-60 1939-46 1947-72 1941-46 1941-46 1980-86 1958-90 1939-46 1946-52 1955-57 Rank and Name Service Rank and Name Sgt S D J Adcock Sig M R Beadle Maj P H Bolton MBE Lt Col J J Bally Sgt A S Butlin Cpl M Bosworth Cpl P A Challoner SSgt A R Claffey Maj J A Dunbar MBE Lt Col S J R Dunlop Col G L Davies OBE Sig M E I Digweed Sgt G W Ewart Sgt A Everson Sgt S J Franklin WO2 F E Flaherty Cpl R E Gunby Sgt P R Garside Cpl A Gatehouse SSgt W W Hindmarsh Cpl T J A Hardy Sig W H Hughes Cpl M E Hall Sig J H Jackson WO1 G S Kennard Sgt F C Kavanagh Maj, The Earl Kitchener Sig R D Lawrence Sgt M McMain WO2 J P McGovern Col G J C Moss MBE Sig M G OBrien Sgt R T R Peart LCpl C L Pike WO1 R W Price Sgt H V Radcliffe MBE WO1 P Reynolds Sig A Robertson WO1 J W Spry Cpl S D Saunders Sgt E Stanton Sig T J Stitt Sgt B Taylor Cpl E Taylor Sgt E P Wilds Sgt T J Whitehill WO2 F Ward Sgt G Walrond Service 1944-58 1979-86 1941-71 1959-84 1941-57 1942-45 1954-60 1957-82 1935-67 1942-82 1948-76 1958-76 1952-76 1962-75 1965-80 1980-03 1956-59 1972-96 1941-44 1939-47 1966-88 1942-47 1939-43 1946-49 1956-78 1956-78 1940-45 1946-46 1969-90 1963-85 1939-70 1961-70 1939-46 1939-46 1950-83 1941-48 1979-94 1941-46 1933-46 1962-71 1940-46 1944-47 1955-70 1938-60 1938-66 1963-85 1950-76 1947-65
Maj R Acott 1952-89 Cpl D A Alford MBE 1947-49 Cpl K G Bennett 1938-46 Sgt N Bristow 1960-72 SSgt I Blair 1961-83 Cpl S F Bradbury 1943-47 Cpl G A Cooper 1942-47 Sig P J J Clifford 1949-73 Sig M G Caddick 1964-67 LCpl E Davies 1942-43 Cpl A S Davidson 1960-81 Cpl W P Dovey 1949-51 Cpl T Ellis 1939-46 WO2 E S Emery 1940-46 Sgt H D Fennah 1962-67 Capt K M Fogg 1984-08 Maj P W Foakes 1942-71 Sgt D A Goodwin 1952-54 WO1 B Green 1956-79 Lt Col R W Garlick 1959-81 Sig R I Howard 1954-56 Sig P W N Hoskins 1943-47 Sig B R Hayes 1965-72 Sgt D Harman 1964-78 SSgt R P S Jones 1943-47 Sig G Knibbs 1961-70 Lt Col R F Knight MBE 1950-88 SSgt C J Lowe 1964-87 WO1 J F Morrow MBE 1960-92 LCpl H J Mann 1942-46 LCpl T P L McMurray-Taylor 1961-72 LCpl D Naylor 1941-46 Maj D K Pawlow 1971-08 Maj M P Parke 1985-11 Sgt D G Pugh 1962-85 Maj J W Roberts 1948-78 LCpl S A Reggler 1983-94 Cpl J Rhodes 1943-47 LCpl M K Stojanovic 2007-11 Sig A R Siddall 1950-53 Sig N E Speke 1952-58 Maj W H Shepherd 1926-47 Sig V N Sargeant 1941-46 LCpl A J Turner 1941-47 Sgt D Wilson 1941-46 Cpl K J White 1946-49 Sig J W Whelan 1962-64 SSgt W J D Winder 1961-85
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Other useful numbers: Chief Clerk RHQ R SIGNALS: 01258-482161 Clerks: 01258-482083 Wire Editor: Asst Editor: Accounts: 01258-482817 01258-482818 01258-482087 [email protected]
Royal Signals Institution (RSI): 01258-482647 Museum shop: Museum archives: 01258-482248 01258-482413
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