15th Signal Regiment (United Kingdom)
General Headquarters Signals, Middle East 15th (Cyprus) Signal Regiment Headquarters Northern Ireland and 15th Signal Regiment 15th Signal Regiment | |
---|---|
Active | 1936—1938 1940—1963 1965—1967 1992—Present |
Country | United Kingdom |
Branch | British Army |
Role | Global Communications |
Size | Regiment |
Part of | 11th Signal Brigade and Headquarters West Midlands |
Garrison/HQ | Blandford Camp |
Nickname(s) | 15 Signal Regiment |
The 15th Signal Regiment is one of four special signal regiments of the British Army's Royal Corps of Signals.
History
The regiment was originally formed before World War II during the expansion of British Army signals units. The unit provided communications for the island of Cyprus but was disbanded shortly after 1963. In 1992, following the Options for Change reforms, it was reformed to support HQ Northern Ireland and other units deployed during Operation Banner.
World War Period
Inter-war
Before World War II, the Egypt Signals unit was formed. It was tasked with providing communications and signals support for British Army units based in Egypt. Their area of responsibility was not limited to Egypt itself, but included the following areas: Mandatory Palestine, Sudan, and Cyprus. During this time, the unit was collectively known as Egypt Command Signals.[1][1][2][3]
In 1940, the regiment was based in Cairo. Following Italy's entry in the war, the regiment's support ranged from providing signals and communications for units in Cyprus, Greece, Macedonia, the Balkans, and Eastern Africa.[1]
Following the end of World War Two, the regiment was re-titled in 1946 as the 3rd General Headquarters Signal Regiment.[1] In 1959, Middle East Command was dissolved and split into two new formations, namely, British Forces Suez Canal and British Forces Arabian Peninsula. As a result, the regiment was renamed as 15th (Cyprus) Signal Regiment to better represent their new role.[1]
On 15 January 1965, the regiment was reformed in Aden.[1] After this reform, the regiment was re-titled as 15th Signal Regiment.[1][1][1]
Post-Cold War
The regiment was reformed for the third time at Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn, Northern Ireland in 1990 and was re-titled as 15th Signal Regiment.[1][4]
After the Options for Change reforms, the regiment gained command of more signal squadrons.[5] After the end of Operation Banner, the regiment was relocated to Blandford Forum in Dorsetshire.[4]
According to a FOI Response, the regiment will fall under the command of 11th Signal Brigade and Headquarters West Midlands.[6][7] The regiment is also due to relocate to Perham Down from Blandford Camp by 2025.[6][7] The regiment's role is to provide "Specialist Technical Support" through information support.[7][8][9] The regiment's current structure is as follows;[10] 233 and 259 Squadrons have moved to 13th Signal Regiment.[11]
- Regimental Headquarters at Blandford Garrison
- 207 Squadron - from 16th Signal Regiment [12]
- 254 Squadron (Army Reserve)[citation needed]
- 255 Squadron[12]
- 262 Logistics System Support Squadron in Bicester
- Land Information Assurance Group (LIAG) (Army Reserve)[citation needed]
The regiment under the reform is to re-organise and become a close support signals unit.[9] The regiment will support the 12th Armoured Infantry Brigade by 2020.[7][9]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Lord and Watson page 54
- ^ "The Monthly Army List" (PDF). London, England, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: The General Staff, War Office. 1939. p. 704. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
- ^ "Files, The Patriot. "The British Army Overseas and the Colonies on 3 September 1939."". Retrieved 20 October 2019.
- ^ a b "15 Regiment". British Army Units from 1945 On. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
- ^ "Headquarters Northern Ireland and 15th Signal Regiment". Archived from the original on 16 February 2004. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
- ^ a b "Army 2020 Refine changes since 2017" (PDF). Dropbox. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
- ^ a b c d "An Update from the Master of Signals" (PDF). 2019. pp. 8, 14. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
- ^ "Transforming the British Army an Update" (PDF). 2019. p. 12. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
- ^ a b c "Royal Corps of Signals Organisation". 2019. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
- ^ "Army 2020 Refine Order of Battle (Updated August 2019)" (PDF). p. 72. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
- ^ "British Army In Front Newsletter Issue 5" (PDF). British Army. 9 July 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
- ^ a b "The Wire Spring 2020" (PDF). royalsignals.org. Royal Signals. 1 April 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
On 13 January 2020, the Regiment assumed control of 207 and 255 Sig Sqn
Sources
- Lord, Cliff, and Graham Watson. The Royal Corps of Signals Unit Histories of the Corps (1920-2001) and Its Antecedents. Helion and Company, 2003. ISBN 1874622922
- "HQ 11th Signal and West Midlands Brigade". www.army.mod.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
- "Royal Signals". www.army.mod.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
- Military units and formations established in 1936
- Military units and formations established in 1940
- Military units and formations established in 1965
- Military units and formations established in 1992
- Military units and formations disestablished in 1938
- Military units and formations disestablished in 1963
- Military units and formations disestablished in 1967
- Regiments of the Royal Corps of Signals
- Regiments of the British Army in World War II
- Regiments of the British Army in World War I
- Regiments of the British Army