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34 (Northern) Signal Regiment
Encyclopedia
34 Signal Regiment was a Territorial Army regiment in the Royal Corps of Signals
in the British Army
. The regiment formed part of 12 Signal Group, providing command and control communication for NATO's Headquarters Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps
(ARRC). As a result of the Strategic Review of Reserves it was announced on 28 April 2009 that the regiment was to be disbanded The regiment consisted of three squadrons plus the band:
Two of its operational squadrons took their numbers from 49th and 50th Regiments while the third was numbered 90, after the 90th Signal Regiment (Army Emergency Reserve). There is no doubt however that 34 is proud to have as its parents 49th and 50th Regiments (TA). With the outline established the complex and laborious task of fitting people into the new establishment began. Although, in theory, there should have been enough officers and men in the two parent Regiments to more than man the new one, in practice there were a number of complicating factors.
Firstly, there was the TAVR 'commitment'. To the TA soldier the TAVR commitment, with its 'obligatory days' and liability for full-time service, was at first a formidable challenge. Many felt that it would be too demanding. And initially too there was several classes of volunteer; the majority was Class IIA, equivalent to the present day norm- but there was also Class IIB, somewhat equivalent to the AER with a lower commitment; there was Class I with a greater liability and also Class IV (the band) with a lower commitment and liability. Volunteers of all classes had to be accommodated.
Secondly, there was a major problem with rank and trade structures. Among the Officers there was an over abundance of Majors while among the soldiers certain trades were severely unbalanced against the new establishment.
Thirdly, there was geography. In the TA days there was less readiness than there is now to serve far from home and thus with the concentration on Teesside, Darlington and Leeds, large numbers of otherwise enthusiastic volunteers, on Tyneside, in York etc, were effectively 'disenfranchised'.
Finally, there was age, and many of the 'old and bold' were excluded on that basis alone, removing a lot of experience 'at a stroke' but also loosening some of the stronger ties of conservation traditions. In the longer term this allowed the new Regiment to develop its own identity more quickly.
Lt Col SP Irwin, the Commanding Officer of 50th Regiment was elected as the first Commanding Officer of 34th (Northern) Signal Regiment (Volunteers). Major GC Beadle, the Training Major of the 50th also continued in the new Regiment. The Honorary Colonel designate, Brigadier CC Fairweather was at the time a power in the inner circles of the Volunteer Army. Months of hard work by these three and by the Squadron Commanders designate, led up to the first coming together of 34th (Northern) Signal Regiment amid stacks of 'Larkspur' crates on 1 April 1967.
The story of the Regiment since then can be told as a series of facts, dates, establishments and so on. These are vital, but a Volunteer Regiment remembers the passage of time in terms of Annual Camps and Commanding Officers and so the story of 34th (Northern) Signal Regiment (Volunteers) must be told in these terms. Inevitably, it must be told by someone who has experienced it and therefore its telling will to some extent be subjective, but without it the flavour and the value will be lost. The bare facts must be recorded too, to provide a skeleton on which the more personal story will form the substance. But first a brief description of how the new Regiment related to the old.
Regimental Headquarters was, and still is, at Brambles Farm in Middlesbrough, in a post war TA centre. In the same location were HQ Squadron commanded by Maj SH Knight, and 90th (North Riding) Squadron commanded by Maj RM Stewart. These two squadrons, although the majority of their officers and senior ranks were former members of the 50th Regiment, contained a very large element of entrants from other Arms, prominent among them a contingent from the Yorkshire Yeomanry who were given permission to retain their distinctive 'running fox' badges. In New Harewood Barracks in Leeds, another modern TA Centre was 49th (West Riding) Signal Squadron commanded by Major GJ Malcolm. This squadron was essentially completely formed from former members of the 49th Regiment. In the Bradford Armoury in Darlington was 50th (Northumbrian) Signal Sqn commanded by Maj RW Fawcett, mostly made up of former members of the 50th Regiment. Unofficially, there was a detachment of 90 Squadron on Tyneside, in unofficial accommodation but, as will be described later, determined to maintain a Royal Signals presence in the area.
After the excitement of 1969, this was another year of consolidation. Recruiting was good and the moral of the Regiment was high. Major Stewart had been nominated to take over command from Lt Col Evans in the autumn and the arrival of the first Volunteer CO was awaited with interest. Both within the Regiment and outside.
The Teesside Freedom had been the first honour awarded to 34 (Northern) Signal Regiment (Volunteers); in 1970 another first was recorded - the first piece of Regimental silver commissioned by the Regiment. Its story is well worth recording. Both 49th and 50th Regiment had various pieces of older silver either damaged or otherwise uninsurable, and it was felt that it would be worthwhile to use these to produce a centrepiece for the new Regiment. Major Richard Crosthwaite, a former officer of the 50th Regiment, produced a magnificent statuette of a Signalman of silver-plated epoxy resin, which was completed and handed over at a small ceremony. This unusual and distinctive work of art has attracted attention ever since and was included in an exhibition of military silver held in York in 1973.
Camp in 1970 was held at Lydd, a very good barracks, unfortunately unavailable to the TAVR until then. It followed the usual pattern of in-camp training during the first week followed by an exercise. From a technical standpoint the exercise was more challenging than before and again the command and control techniques were improved. But, like its predecessors, it did not fully stretch the whole of the Regiment for the engineering phase lasted so long that the message handling had to be curtailed.
During the autumn Lt Col Evans left the Regiment and Lt Col Stewart took over. Major Fawcett became Second in Command and Major GC Mitchell took over 90 Squadron.
1971
1971 was without doubt a crucial year in the Regiment's development, and the influence and example of Lt Col Stewart was largely instrumental in ensuring that it was successful. As a Volunteer and thus with limited time at his disposal, the CO had inevitably to rely more on the Permanent Staff and the Volunteer Officers and SNCOs than his predecessors. Under his direction and inspiration, the total commitment of effort throughout the Regiment increased so that the overall efficiency increased out of proportion.
The establishment has been redefined and increased during the previous year so that recruiting and some re-training had to have priority. By the end of the year the numbers were approaching 100% of establishment and, although there were still serious shortages in the technician ranks, the trade balance was satisfactory.
At the technical level, the role of systems control had been more clearly established, and, just as important, had been largely accepted by the operating squadrons. Prior to camp though the engineering still had not looked very encouraging. An exercise, later to become notorious as the nadir of the Regiments technical exercise known as 'Jolly Julius' was held in July in the Catterick area. In almost all aspects it was a disaster, made even less palatable by the realisation that the new Group Commander, Brig John Sturge, had seen the situation as its worst. It was not a good omen for the camp in BAOR in September.
However, once again, the Regiment learned from its mistakes and ensured that the Camp, the most ambitious so far attempted, was a success. 16 Signal Regt was unable to accommodate the Regiment in Barracks, and so had constructed a vast tented camp on Eggelsberg Heath, some 5 miles from Krefeld, to be occupied successively by 36 (Eastern) Signal Regiment and then by 34 (N) Signal Regiment (V). For the majority of the Regiment it was their first experience of a tented camp, and acclimation took longer than usual. From this base, the Regiment sallied forth, in the first week for training in Krefeld, exercise recces and social activities, and in the second week for a major exercise.
Although, yet again, there was no staff participation, the exercise was the most realistic yet, using as it did virtually real locations. Commcen Oscar was set up at Leloh, uncomfortably close to JHQ, with RHQ some half mile away, while Commcen Mike was established in a less-salubrious location among the peat heaps and power stations at Neurath. The various Commheads were based in Ordnance Depots in the vicinity. What made this exercise a landmark was that engineering was quickly accomplished and thereafter the circuit availability remain high, that centralised control worked, and that a lot of traffic was passed. The operators and message handlers were really tested at last. Following on from this was a most important psychological result - the real acceptance at last of the WRAC as a necessary part of the Regiment's functions.
The subsequent benefits ensuring from this successful exercise was equally valuable. With this experience of a stable functioning system the operating squadrons were able to plan improvements to overcome weaknesses and to develop the military deployment of administration aspects of living in the field.
Of all the Regiment's camps to date, Eggelsberg is the one which is most often recalled. Stories of the Hessian curtain around the WRAC lines, which amazed the promenading local German population, of the cookhouse fire which caused the QM to summons the local fire brigade (who duly arrived with three engines), of 90 Squadron's landrover fire which removed the Padre's congregation in double quick time, of how the Sgts Mess curry rice turned to rice pudding, of how the TOT was introduced to German nightlife, of 742 Tp singing around a campfire in the woods and many more have become fixed in Regimental folklore.
1972
After BAOR, 1972 could have been rather a let down. That it was not is due very largely to the confidence gained from the success of 1971. Equipment improvement continued, albeit slowly, with the arrival of the first of the purpose-built box bodies to replace the vintage Commer 4 tonners in the Commcens. The weak link in the communications system, the S+DX, was completely replaced by the 4/12, and in consequence reliability improved. The only disappointment on the communications side was the lapse of HF radio and the inability to make fully effective use of the Pye VHF sets.
Annual Camp was very close to home, at Proteus, and the traditional pattern was followed, with intensive trade training followed by an exercise. Yet again this exercise reached a new milestone. The sister regiment, 36th, were in camp at Scarborough and the exercise 'Humber Gap' incorporated a full link-up between the two. On this exercise Commcen Oscar had the rare luxury of working under cover, in garages and hangars of RAF Hemsworth, a by now disused Bomber Command Station, of which the Regiment were the last occupants before the influx of Ugandan Asians later in the year. The exercise was also notable for the arrival, on the same day, of the SO-in-C, Major General Sawers and the CSO BAOR, Major General Roper who was taking a look at the unit in readiness for the following year.
1973
This was a very busy year, with BAOR schedule for the autumn. In the meantime, however, there was a busy winter and spring programme leading up to Exercise 'Shot Two' in April. This UKLF exercise involved all Regiments and TARR Royal Signals units in the country, in a most ambitious scheme to link all districts and garrison headquarters with operational control at Aldershot. With a little cheating (sending an advance detachment on the Thursday) the exercise worked and 34 with Commcens on Ilkley Moor and near Sheffield with Commheads at York, Catterick, Ripon and Proteus, played its full part.
This was Lt Col Stewart's last exercise and in May he handed over to Lt Col Keith Olds, posted in from 22 Regiment, and went to North East District as Deputy Commander on promotion. For his efforts and achievements while in command he was awarded the OBE in the 1973 New Years Honours.
The new CO set to work with enormous energy to prepare the Regiment for camp, once again in BAOR. This time, however, there was to be no base camp, the sub-units were to move almost directly to their exercise locations and remain there throughout the whole of camp. The reasons for this was that in the second week the Regiment was to take part in a staff exercise, and the first week would be spend in Regimental and Group warm-up exercises. Even HQ Squadron was in the field as Echelon, and only a small pay team was located in Krefeld. The operating locations were very similar to those used in 1971. A certain amount of redeployment of personnel was necessary within the Regiment, in particular the allocation of most of 49 Squadron's commcen operators to 90 Squadron to man Commcen Oscar. All three phases of the exercise were successful, so much to that the operators were frustrated by the relatively light demands made by the staff in the final phase - and the Regiment was spoken of in highly complimentary terms by the staff and by the Royal Signals establishments in BAOR. With the dispersal of the unit much of the traditional camp social life was omitted in favour of location parties etc. However, despite the operational and military success and the result euphoria among the officers, the soldiers regarded it as a very hard camp and undoubtedly a number resigned as a result of this approach to realism.
If the emphasis in 1973 had been on communications, in 1974 it was on military training. The first time that 34 took to the field as infantry was in May in the Catterick area. The training was continued at Camp when again for the first time, arms were carried on the main exercise. Camp was at Westdown on Salisbury Plain and, unusually, the main exercise took place during the first week. The communications side of the exercise was ambitious, while in addition real enemy were laid on. The increased sense of involvement and realism was remarkable. A further innovation on the exercise was the movement of a Commcen, something hitherto not attempted because of the wish to establish communications. And as a final postscript to the weeks proceedings, 90 Squadron insisted on upstaging the rest of the Regiment by formally marching back into camp.
The second week of camp was completely devoted to military training and is remembered largely for the activities of the Group Commander's dogs. Brigadier Jasper Peck had three basset hounds/beagles and when two ran off on Salisbury Plan a disproportionate amount of time and effort was required to reunite them.
A number of command changes took place during 1974. At the beginning of the year Major Ron Fawcett retired as Second in Command and was replaced by Major Colin Beadle. Major JF Smith took over as OC 50 Squadron. At the end of the year Major Jim Malcolm retired as OC 49 Squadron and was replaced by Major AW Illingworth.
At the end of the year the latest in the series of reorganisation was implemented. The CO took the opportunity to make a number of other changes. Most important was to give the Troops letters instead of numbers, so that, for example, the troops which staffed Commcens Mike and Oscar were called Mike Troop and Oscar Troop. For political reasons connected with entitlement to permanent staff, the responsibility for Gateshead Detachment was transferred from 90 Squadron to 50 Squadron.
In compensation, a new HF Troop, made up from the HF Dets scattered throughout the Regiment, was allocated to 90 Squadron. At the same time, the Hull Detachment, which had never really had a viable troop structure, became B Troop (BRLSC). This organisation brought to an end an era in the Regiment's life and made necessary a further period of retraining. It also brought about a profound change in the balance between the operating squadrons. 90 Squadron, from being the largest, became the smallest, while 50 Squadron which had always suffered from a shortage of numbers, found itself as large as 49 Squadron.
1975
1975 opened with staff changes. Major Beadle, the Second-in-Command left the Regiment for a brief sabbatical before taking command later in the year, and Major Mitchell took over. Maj JM Thew replaced Major Mitchell in 90 Squadron while Major RB Atkinson took over HQ Squadron from Major Jim Smiles. The latter transferred to the RAPC and became Unit Paymaster.
As the year went on, it became busier. First was a brief farewell to Brigadier Peck at the end of his time, and indeed at the end of his career. Second was the exercising of the Regiment's Freedom of Entry to Teesside. In the previous year, the young County Borough of Teesside had vanished in a local government reshuffle and the new authority, Middlesbrough, kindly offered to transfer the Freedom to them. The ceremony, stage-managed by Lt Col Olds was the grandest the Regiment had taken part in so far. With the aid of the Corps trumpeters, and with the Regimental Band, enforced with musicians for the Regular band, the parade was a great success. It was followed by a civic tea, and by an evening party at Brambles Farm. It also made an appropriate end to Brigadier Fairweather's tour as Honorary Colonel. After a career of nearly 50 years in Royal Signals he retired in April 1975, and was dined out in the old Headquarters Mess in Catterick in the presence of the Master of Signals, the SO-in-C and a large congregation of other past colleagues.
The new Honorary Colonel, Col LJD Davies, had served with the 49th Regiment and had commanded it from 1958-61.
Annual Camp was a Crowborough and while it went well and the main exercise worked, it lacked the challenge and excitement of its two predecessors. It will be remembered for two things, first was the superb Beating Retreat by the band, who, in marching on a fairly rough sports ground, put on a display of marching and playing which was quite spectacular. The second was the institution of Private Wire, a daily internal newspaper. This was the idea of the CO who persuaded the Second-in-Command to edit it. After initial problems as acceptability it rapidly became a focus of interest and a morale booster, although its double-innuendoes grew steadily less and less subtle.
The final event of 1975 was the change of command. Lt Col Keith Olds handed over to Lt Col Colin Beadle and went to become GSO2 to CC R Sigs 1 (BR) Corps.
1976
The Regiment now had two Lt Cols - Major Peter Halsey, nominally the QM (Tech) but in fact the Operations Officer, had reached the top of the Volunteer TOT roster, and was promoted to Lt Col at the beginning of the year.
Once again, in a BAOR year, preparation for Annual Camp dominated training throughout the year. This time the whole of 12 Signal Group was to take part in major exercise, with full staff involvement - for control purposes much of the staff element was concentrated in the Rheindahlen gymnasium, making necessary considerable modifications to the Regiment's deployment on the ground, and to the normal tactical dispositions. The bulk of the Regiment was to be in the field however Commcen Oscar's old Leloh site had become a bird sanctuary so it moved to Suchteln, while Commcen Mike returned to its traditional but increasingly unsatisfactory location at Neurath. For most of the rest of the Regiment, a semi-derelict camp was discovered at Ritzrode and sterling efforts by the advance party turned it into a very viable base, with facilities even including a sauna bath.
It was unfortunate that the long summer of 1976 broke, amid floods and gale-force winds, during the weekend when the Regiment travelled to camp. The rear party was fully occupied for several days obtaining reassurance from anxious volunteers in BAOR that floods had subsided and storm damage to their homes had been repaired. The weather in Germany was not too good but did not interfere with the operations. With the engineering relatively heavy, the accent was on traffic handling and the Regiment acquitted itself well, certainly well enough to be invited to come back again. During the exercise a call for help from 16 Signal Regiment was answered by the despatch of a group of switchboard operators to help out in their field commcen. The Camp ended as it had begun with pouring rain and gale force winds, on both sides of the North Sea.
At the end of year, WO1 John Robinson, the Regiment's first Senior Volunteer Warrant Office, retired at the end of his time and was replaced by WO1 Derek Graham.
Superb collection of medals
Medals
This superb collection of medals was presented to the Commanding Officer of 34th (N) Signal Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Ian Westerman at the Regimental Burns Supper by Col Illingworth on behalf of the trustees of 49th (WR)Signal Squadrron. The Story of the medals is below. William Francis Jackson was born in Barnsley in 1886. His military career spanned some 32 years, beginning in March 1912 when he was commissioned into the Northern Telegraph Companies, Army Troops, Royal Engineers.Serving in several campaigns during the First and Second World Wars, he was mobilised to Gallipoli in 1915, where, as a Lieutenant, he commanded Cable Section ME 7. In August 1915 he sustained a gunshot wound that left him severely injured and resulted in a long stay in hospital from August 1915 until May 1916. He was Mentioned in Despatches on 10 April and awarded the Military Cross on 2 June 1916.
His amazing career
Col Jackson
After his recovery, he was posted to France in January 1917 as Officer Commanding A Company 3rd Army Signals, serving with 7 Corps Heavies, 2nd Tank Brigade Signals and 18th Divisional Signals. On 2 June 1918, he was awarded a Bar to the Military Cross and was quickly promoted to Acting Captain in September 1918, serving as Second in Command, 18th Divisional Signals Company, with a successive promotion two months later to Acting Major and Deputy Assistant Director 1st Tank Group Signals.
He was demobilised in April 1919 and immediately joined 49th (West Riding) Divisional Signal Company (Territorial Army), the new name of his old Company, reverting to his substantive rank Lieutenant. Between the wars he rose through the ranks to eventually command the Regiment from 1937 to 1940. During this time Lieutenant Colonel Jackson led his men, along with additional sub units, on the Narvik Expedition, to Norway and later to Iceland from July 1940 to April 1942, where he became Chief Signals Officer with the rank of Colonel.
Awarded the Territorial Decoration (TD), for which he held no less than 5 Bars, and the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1940, Colonel Jackson was again mentioned in Dispatches on 20 December 1940. In addition, General Officer Commanding Iceland granted him the Certificate of Merit, Gallantry and Good Service on 20 January 1942. On his return from Iceland to England, he was appointed Signals Liaison Officer to the Headquarters of the United States Army in the United Kingdom. For the role he played in the communication planning for the invasion of France, he won the US Legion of Merit and the Croix de Guerre.
Colonel W F Jackson OBE MC TD retired in 1944 at the age of 58. He was a man of courage resolution and ability, a natural leader, honoured and respected by all. He died on 9 August 1964, after a long illness and received full military honours at his funeral in Leeds that was attended in strength by his old comrades from 49th Signal Regiment.
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The story of the Gateshead detachment goes back to 1967 and illustrates how local spirit and enthusiasm can overcome bureaucratic restrictions. Although the Tyneside squadron of the 50th Regiment had provided a very high proportion of that Regiment's strength it was decided officially that no AVR3 Royal Signals unit would be established in the area to avoid competition with other major units of other arms due to be based there. However, a significant number of members of 90 Squadron came from Tyneside and, as an aid to training and to avoid wasting time in travelling, some accommodation was found for them in Newcastle, along with the AVR3 Signal Troop. Despite adverse circumstances, the group, 742 Troop, increased in numbers, under the influence of its commander, Capt Jack Raw, to an extent that more spacious accommodation in Fenham Barracks had to be found. It adopted the nickname 'F' Troop from the television series of that name and developed a remarkable esprit de corps. So much so that in 1969 it was officially established and moved to the TAVR Centre in Elmgrove Terrace, Gateshead, the former home of 338 Squadron of the 50th Regiment.
In the 1971 reorganisation Gateshead gained a second troop (741) and the establishment, through not the equipment, of a third (744). Although the size of the detachment made 90 Squadron disproportionately large, with an establishment of 211, such was its coherence that it was able to resist attempts to divide it between 50 and 90 Squadrons. However, in the 1974 reorganisation, it was transferred in to 50 Squadron. When troop letters were adopted, one of the Gateshead troops was officially named 'F' Troop.
Summary
Such, in brief outline, is the story of the first ten years of 34 (Northern) Signal Regiment (Volunteers). As it enters its second decade it is worth identifying some of the changes which have taken place. First must be the change from a unit containing a high proportion of officers and SNCOs who had experienced full time service, even war service, to one where only a small number had such a background. In 1977 the first squadron commanders with only volunteer service behind them were appointed. Secondly, the technical ability of the Regiment has improved beyond recognition, and it is now well able to handle the much larger quantity of technical equipment in its possession and to take its place, with confidence, in the order of battle. Thirdly, it has established itself fully in the military and civic consciousness of the North East.
Finally, tribute must be paid, by the Volunteer element, to the hard and dedicated work put in by the attached Regular staff throughout the life of the Regiment. Many, indeed most, came to the Regiment knowing little or nothing of the TAVR, but once having established that they had joined a thriving and worthwhile organisation, devoted their energy to improving its effectiveness. The result is something in which they can take pride, and their experiences can only help to develop the 'one army concept'.
In the 1971 reorganisation, Gateshead gained a second troop (741) and the establishment, though not the equipment, of a third (744). Although the size of the detachment made 90 Squadron disproportionately large, with an establishment of 211, such was its coherence that it was able to resist attempts to divide it between 50 and 90 Squadrons. However, in the 1974 reorganisation, it was transferred in to 50 Squadron. When troop letters were adopted, one of the Gateshead troops was officially named 'F' Troop.
In this factual record of names and appointments (shown in Section 4), lie the bare bones of the story of the 34th first ten years. But, as already stated, the story must record the people in relation to each other and to outside influences. The following account cannot be entirely objective, being written from the inside, nor can it claim to be comprehensive; inevitably it is written from the Officer's point of view, and further restriction from a vantage point which has not always given an equally clear view of all of the Regiment. But so be it.
1967
This was a year of disarray. It began for the new Regiment on 1 April - fittingly as some said at the time Annual Camp was to be Crowborough in Sussex in July and in the meantime there was a vast amount of administration to be done - vehicles, equipment, uniforms to be sorted and issued, documentation to be completed, while at the same time the new Squadrons had to find out who was who, who was to do what, who required training in what, and so on. By the time of Camp, considerable progress had been made, and by the time the last vehicles pulled into Crowborough much had been learned. The logistics of the move to Camp had, in themselves, been a major exercise, and the experience laid a useful foundation on which future, more complex movement plans could be built.
Camp was the first time that the Regiment had assembled. It was the first time that the officers and soldiers of the old 40th and 50th Regiments had come together, and inevitably, there was much comparing of habits, traditions and experiences. It was, too, for the ex AER volunteers their first experience of the more relaxed TA ways, while for the ex TA people it brought the realisation of how high the professional standards of the AER had been.
Operationally the first exercise was a challenging experience for all. The concept of static communication centres, linked by radio relay, seemed straightforward enough but the reality threw out problems which were not fully solved for several years - in particular that of centralised technical control which was foreign to the old TA Regiments. The influence of the Group Commander, Brig Vaigncourt-Strallen was forbidding. His vision of the potential of the system took many of the officers by surprise and the results of the exercise left considerable food for thought. However, the new equipment proved that it could work, and the ultimate success of the exercise left the Regiment with increased confidence in its abilities.
Following Camp, training continued. An exercise later in the year was the first of many attempts to link the main centres. It was unsuccessful - indeed it was many years before this project was satisfactorily accomplished, but at the end of the Year, Lt Col Irwin could be satisfied that the Regiment was shaping up, and that he could hand over in the spring of 1968 with a job well started.
1968
This was a year of steady improvement, in numbers, as the urgent recruiting efforts began to bear fruit, in trade training, as increasing numbers qualified as a result of intensive work and in familiarity with the techniques of the new role. There were few changes in Regiment and Squadron appointments, giving stability to the system and allowing the process of building up group esprit to continue. The only major change was that Major JR Smiles took over HQ Squadron from Major SH Knight who retired after over 40 years with the Corps.
Annual Camp was again at Crowborough, but the difference in performance was noticeable. The concept of centralised technical control was becoming accepted and valiant work of improvisation by the TOT, Maj Gordon Smith, and his team began to make up for some of the inadequacies of the equipment.
In this year too, the new Commanding Officer, Lt Col PJ Evans, began to lay the foundation of the close liaison with the local authorities of the town and cities where the Regiment was based, which have been a valuable and continuing feature of the Regiment at times.
Under Lt Col Evan's inspiration, the Regiment began its continued association with the Signals Training Centre at Scarborough. Regular use of Burniston Barracks as a weekend training centre, or as a base for exercises, began in the autumn of 1968.
1969
Dominating 1969 was Annual Camp in BAOR. This was the Regiments first venture into its mobilisation territory, and from the beginning of the year preparations for Germany was the theme running through all activities. Much of the preparation was administration, training of drivers in continental highway code, writing and rewriting lists of air parties and road parties and recces on the ground by key officers.
The success of the move to BAOR was encouraging and all parties successfully arrived in Bradbury Barracks in Krefeld where 16 Signal Regiment were the host unit. Owing to the lack of space in Krefeld, 40 Squadron were accommodated with 28 Signal Regiment in St Tonis, which made for some complications, but both host Regiments gave generously of time and effort in making the fortnight worthwhile. In particular, the WRAC commcen operators received valuable training in the Krefeld TRC.
On the operational side, the Regiment carried out a limited simulation of its mobilisation role, though not in the actual locations and with no staff participation. Places later to become familiar; Eggelsberg, Leloh, Leuth and Bracht, were used as locations with the main control in Bradbury Barracks. Much experience was gained in operating and in the necessity for good camouflage and concealment, the latter aided by photo reconnaissance sorties by the RAF.
Other activities included the traditional Honorary Colonel's parade on the square at Bradbury Barracks and Beating Retreat by the band in the presence of civic dignitaries from Krefeld.
Also in 1969, Lt Col Evan's policy of involvement with local authorities bore fruit when the Regiment was granted the Freedom of the new County Borough of Teesside in May. The Regiment exercised its right by marching through Middlesbrough in September with 'drums beating, flags flying and bayonets fixed'.
Another innovation in 1969 was the 'second camp'. The Regiment ran a camp at Scarborough in the autumn, on behalf of the whole Group, with an emphasis on recruit training. This camp set the pattern for subsequent similar ventures.
Later in the year various changes took place in the command appointments, Maj CWW Smith, who had been Second-in-Command from the beginning, retired as a Brevet Lt Col and Major RM Stewart took over. Major RW Fawcett took over 90 Squadron and Major GC Beadle, who had left the Regular Army a year or more previously following his time as Training Major, replaced him as OC 50 Squadron in Darlington.
1970
After the excitement of 1969, this was another year of consolidation. Recruiting was good and the moral of the Regiment was high. Major Stewart had been nominated to take over command from Lt Col Evans in the autumn and the arrival of the first Volunteer CO was awaited with interest. Both within the Regiment and outside.
The Teesside Freedom had been the first honour awarded to 34 (Northern) Signal Regiment (Volunteers); in 1970 another first was recorded - the first piece of Regimental silver commissioned by the Regiment. Its story is well worth recording. Both 49th and 50th Regiment had various pieces of older silver either damaged or otherwise insurable, and it was felt that it would be worthwhile to use these to produce a centrepiece for the new Regiment. Major Richard Crosthwaite, a former officer of the 50th Regiment, produced a magnificent statuette of a Signalman of silver-plated epoxy resin, which was completed and handed over at a small ceremony. This unusual and distinctive work of art has attracted attention ever since and was included in an exhibition of military silver held in York in 1973.
Camp in 1970 was held at Lydd, a very good barracks, unfortunately unavailable to the TAVR until then. It followed the usual pattern of in-camp training during the first week followed by an exercise. From a technical standpoint the exercise was more challenging than before and again the command and control techniques were improved. But, like its predecessors, it did not fully stretch the whole of the Regiment for the engineering phase lasted so long that the message handling had to be curtailed.
During the autumn Lt Col Evans left the Regiment and Lt Col Stewart took over. Major Fawcett became Second in Command and Major GC Mitchell took over 90 Squadron.
Royal Corps of Signals
The Royal Corps of Signals is one of the combat support arms of the British Army...
in the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
. The regiment formed part of 12 Signal Group, providing command and control communication for NATO's Headquarters Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps
Headquarters Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps
The Headquarters Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, is a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation High Readiness Force Headquarters ready for deployment worldwide within five to thirty days.-History:...
(ARRC). As a result of the Strategic Review of Reserves it was announced on 28 April 2009 that the regiment was to be disbanded The regiment consisted of three squadrons plus the band:
- HQ Squadron
- 49 (West Riding) Signal Squadron – SHQ and 703 (Trunk Node) Troop, LeedsLeedsLeeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
and 745 Troop, HullKingston upon HullKingston upon Hull , usually referred to as Hull, is a city and unitary authority area in the ceremonial county of the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Hull at its junction with the Humber estuary, 25 miles inland from the North Sea. Hull has a resident population of... - 50 (Northumbrian) Signal Squadron – SHQ, DarlingtonDarlingtonDarlington is a market town in the Borough of Darlington, part of the ceremonial county of County Durham, England. It lies on the small River Skerne, a tributary of the River Tees, not far from the main river. It is the main population centre in the borough, with a population of 97,838 as of 2001...
and 742 (Access) Troop, HeatonHeaton, NewcastleHeaton is a residential suburb and is split into two electoral wards located in the east end of Newcastle upon Tyne, England, about from the City Centre. It is bordered by the neighbouring areas of Benton and Cochrane Park to the north, Walker and Walkergate to the east, Byker to the south and... - 90 (North Riding) Signal Squadron – SHQ HartlepoolHartlepoolHartlepool is a town and port in North East England.It was founded in the 7th century AD, around the Northumbrian monastery of Hartlepool Abbey. The village grew during the Middle Ages and developed a harbour which served as the official port of the County Palatine of Durham. A railway link from...
and 704 (Trunk Node) Troop, MiddlesbroughMiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough is a large town situated on the south bank of the River Tees in north east England, that sits within the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire... - Royal Signals (Northern) Band – DarlingtonDarlingtonDarlington is a market town in the Borough of Darlington, part of the ceremonial county of County Durham, England. It lies on the small River Skerne, a tributary of the River Tees, not far from the main river. It is the main population centre in the borough, with a population of 97,838 as of 2001...
Introduction
34 (Northern) Signal Regiment (Volunteers) was formed on 1 April 1967. It was formed mainly from two old Territorial Army Regiments, 49th (West Riding) and 50th (Northumbrian), but also included personnel from the Royal Signals Army Emergency Reserve, the Yorkshire Yeomanry, 151 Brigade Headquarters. Royal Corps of Transport, Royal Engineers and many others.Two of its operational squadrons took their numbers from 49th and 50th Regiments while the third was numbered 90, after the 90th Signal Regiment (Army Emergency Reserve). There is no doubt however that 34 is proud to have as its parents 49th and 50th Regiments (TA). With the outline established the complex and laborious task of fitting people into the new establishment began. Although, in theory, there should have been enough officers and men in the two parent Regiments to more than man the new one, in practice there were a number of complicating factors.
Firstly, there was the TAVR 'commitment'. To the TA soldier the TAVR commitment, with its 'obligatory days' and liability for full-time service, was at first a formidable challenge. Many felt that it would be too demanding. And initially too there was several classes of volunteer; the majority was Class IIA, equivalent to the present day norm- but there was also Class IIB, somewhat equivalent to the AER with a lower commitment; there was Class I with a greater liability and also Class IV (the band) with a lower commitment and liability. Volunteers of all classes had to be accommodated.
Secondly, there was a major problem with rank and trade structures. Among the Officers there was an over abundance of Majors while among the soldiers certain trades were severely unbalanced against the new establishment.
Thirdly, there was geography. In the TA days there was less readiness than there is now to serve far from home and thus with the concentration on Teesside, Darlington and Leeds, large numbers of otherwise enthusiastic volunteers, on Tyneside, in York etc, were effectively 'disenfranchised'.
Finally, there was age, and many of the 'old and bold' were excluded on that basis alone, removing a lot of experience 'at a stroke' but also loosening some of the stronger ties of conservation traditions. In the longer term this allowed the new Regiment to develop its own identity more quickly.
Lt Col SP Irwin, the Commanding Officer of 50th Regiment was elected as the first Commanding Officer of 34th (Northern) Signal Regiment (Volunteers). Major GC Beadle, the Training Major of the 50th also continued in the new Regiment. The Honorary Colonel designate, Brigadier CC Fairweather was at the time a power in the inner circles of the Volunteer Army. Months of hard work by these three and by the Squadron Commanders designate, led up to the first coming together of 34th (Northern) Signal Regiment amid stacks of 'Larkspur' crates on 1 April 1967.
The story of the Regiment since then can be told as a series of facts, dates, establishments and so on. These are vital, but a Volunteer Regiment remembers the passage of time in terms of Annual Camps and Commanding Officers and so the story of 34th (Northern) Signal Regiment (Volunteers) must be told in these terms. Inevitably, it must be told by someone who has experienced it and therefore its telling will to some extent be subjective, but without it the flavour and the value will be lost. The bare facts must be recorded too, to provide a skeleton on which the more personal story will form the substance. But first a brief description of how the new Regiment related to the old.
Regimental Headquarters was, and still is, at Brambles Farm in Middlesbrough, in a post war TA centre. In the same location were HQ Squadron commanded by Maj SH Knight, and 90th (North Riding) Squadron commanded by Maj RM Stewart. These two squadrons, although the majority of their officers and senior ranks were former members of the 50th Regiment, contained a very large element of entrants from other Arms, prominent among them a contingent from the Yorkshire Yeomanry who were given permission to retain their distinctive 'running fox' badges. In New Harewood Barracks in Leeds, another modern TA Centre was 49th (West Riding) Signal Squadron commanded by Major GJ Malcolm. This squadron was essentially completely formed from former members of the 49th Regiment. In the Bradford Armoury in Darlington was 50th (Northumbrian) Signal Sqn commanded by Maj RW Fawcett, mostly made up of former members of the 50th Regiment. Unofficially, there was a detachment of 90 Squadron on Tyneside, in unofficial accommodation but, as will be described later, determined to maintain a Royal Signals presence in the area.
Regimental History - 1970-73
1970After the excitement of 1969, this was another year of consolidation. Recruiting was good and the moral of the Regiment was high. Major Stewart had been nominated to take over command from Lt Col Evans in the autumn and the arrival of the first Volunteer CO was awaited with interest. Both within the Regiment and outside.
The Teesside Freedom had been the first honour awarded to 34 (Northern) Signal Regiment (Volunteers); in 1970 another first was recorded - the first piece of Regimental silver commissioned by the Regiment. Its story is well worth recording. Both 49th and 50th Regiment had various pieces of older silver either damaged or otherwise uninsurable, and it was felt that it would be worthwhile to use these to produce a centrepiece for the new Regiment. Major Richard Crosthwaite, a former officer of the 50th Regiment, produced a magnificent statuette of a Signalman of silver-plated epoxy resin, which was completed and handed over at a small ceremony. This unusual and distinctive work of art has attracted attention ever since and was included in an exhibition of military silver held in York in 1973.
Camp in 1970 was held at Lydd, a very good barracks, unfortunately unavailable to the TAVR until then. It followed the usual pattern of in-camp training during the first week followed by an exercise. From a technical standpoint the exercise was more challenging than before and again the command and control techniques were improved. But, like its predecessors, it did not fully stretch the whole of the Regiment for the engineering phase lasted so long that the message handling had to be curtailed.
During the autumn Lt Col Evans left the Regiment and Lt Col Stewart took over. Major Fawcett became Second in Command and Major GC Mitchell took over 90 Squadron.
1971
1971 was without doubt a crucial year in the Regiment's development, and the influence and example of Lt Col Stewart was largely instrumental in ensuring that it was successful. As a Volunteer and thus with limited time at his disposal, the CO had inevitably to rely more on the Permanent Staff and the Volunteer Officers and SNCOs than his predecessors. Under his direction and inspiration, the total commitment of effort throughout the Regiment increased so that the overall efficiency increased out of proportion.
The establishment has been redefined and increased during the previous year so that recruiting and some re-training had to have priority. By the end of the year the numbers were approaching 100% of establishment and, although there were still serious shortages in the technician ranks, the trade balance was satisfactory.
At the technical level, the role of systems control had been more clearly established, and, just as important, had been largely accepted by the operating squadrons. Prior to camp though the engineering still had not looked very encouraging. An exercise, later to become notorious as the nadir of the Regiments technical exercise known as 'Jolly Julius' was held in July in the Catterick area. In almost all aspects it was a disaster, made even less palatable by the realisation that the new Group Commander, Brig John Sturge, had seen the situation as its worst. It was not a good omen for the camp in BAOR in September.
However, once again, the Regiment learned from its mistakes and ensured that the Camp, the most ambitious so far attempted, was a success. 16 Signal Regt was unable to accommodate the Regiment in Barracks, and so had constructed a vast tented camp on Eggelsberg Heath, some 5 miles from Krefeld, to be occupied successively by 36 (Eastern) Signal Regiment and then by 34 (N) Signal Regiment (V). For the majority of the Regiment it was their first experience of a tented camp, and acclimation took longer than usual. From this base, the Regiment sallied forth, in the first week for training in Krefeld, exercise recces and social activities, and in the second week for a major exercise.
Although, yet again, there was no staff participation, the exercise was the most realistic yet, using as it did virtually real locations. Commcen Oscar was set up at Leloh, uncomfortably close to JHQ, with RHQ some half mile away, while Commcen Mike was established in a less-salubrious location among the peat heaps and power stations at Neurath. The various Commheads were based in Ordnance Depots in the vicinity. What made this exercise a landmark was that engineering was quickly accomplished and thereafter the circuit availability remain high, that centralised control worked, and that a lot of traffic was passed. The operators and message handlers were really tested at last. Following on from this was a most important psychological result - the real acceptance at last of the WRAC as a necessary part of the Regiment's functions.
The subsequent benefits ensuring from this successful exercise was equally valuable. With this experience of a stable functioning system the operating squadrons were able to plan improvements to overcome weaknesses and to develop the military deployment of administration aspects of living in the field.
Of all the Regiment's camps to date, Eggelsberg is the one which is most often recalled. Stories of the Hessian curtain around the WRAC lines, which amazed the promenading local German population, of the cookhouse fire which caused the QM to summons the local fire brigade (who duly arrived with three engines), of 90 Squadron's landrover fire which removed the Padre's congregation in double quick time, of how the Sgts Mess curry rice turned to rice pudding, of how the TOT was introduced to German nightlife, of 742 Tp singing around a campfire in the woods and many more have become fixed in Regimental folklore.
1972
After BAOR, 1972 could have been rather a let down. That it was not is due very largely to the confidence gained from the success of 1971. Equipment improvement continued, albeit slowly, with the arrival of the first of the purpose-built box bodies to replace the vintage Commer 4 tonners in the Commcens. The weak link in the communications system, the S+DX, was completely replaced by the 4/12, and in consequence reliability improved. The only disappointment on the communications side was the lapse of HF radio and the inability to make fully effective use of the Pye VHF sets.
Annual Camp was very close to home, at Proteus, and the traditional pattern was followed, with intensive trade training followed by an exercise. Yet again this exercise reached a new milestone. The sister regiment, 36th, were in camp at Scarborough and the exercise 'Humber Gap' incorporated a full link-up between the two. On this exercise Commcen Oscar had the rare luxury of working under cover, in garages and hangars of RAF Hemsworth, a by now disused Bomber Command Station, of which the Regiment were the last occupants before the influx of Ugandan Asians later in the year. The exercise was also notable for the arrival, on the same day, of the SO-in-C, Major General Sawers and the CSO BAOR, Major General Roper who was taking a look at the unit in readiness for the following year.
1973
This was a very busy year, with BAOR schedule for the autumn. In the meantime, however, there was a busy winter and spring programme leading up to Exercise 'Shot Two' in April. This UKLF exercise involved all Regiments and TARR Royal Signals units in the country, in a most ambitious scheme to link all districts and garrison headquarters with operational control at Aldershot. With a little cheating (sending an advance detachment on the Thursday) the exercise worked and 34 with Commcens on Ilkley Moor and near Sheffield with Commheads at York, Catterick, Ripon and Proteus, played its full part.
This was Lt Col Stewart's last exercise and in May he handed over to Lt Col Keith Olds, posted in from 22 Regiment, and went to North East District as Deputy Commander on promotion. For his efforts and achievements while in command he was awarded the OBE in the 1973 New Years Honours.
The new CO set to work with enormous energy to prepare the Regiment for camp, once again in BAOR. This time, however, there was to be no base camp, the sub-units were to move almost directly to their exercise locations and remain there throughout the whole of camp. The reasons for this was that in the second week the Regiment was to take part in a staff exercise, and the first week would be spend in Regimental and Group warm-up exercises. Even HQ Squadron was in the field as Echelon, and only a small pay team was located in Krefeld. The operating locations were very similar to those used in 1971. A certain amount of redeployment of personnel was necessary within the Regiment, in particular the allocation of most of 49 Squadron's commcen operators to 90 Squadron to man Commcen Oscar. All three phases of the exercise were successful, so much to that the operators were frustrated by the relatively light demands made by the staff in the final phase - and the Regiment was spoken of in highly complimentary terms by the staff and by the Royal Signals establishments in BAOR. With the dispersal of the unit much of the traditional camp social life was omitted in favour of location parties etc. However, despite the operational and military success and the result euphoria among the officers, the soldiers regarded it as a very hard camp and undoubtedly a number resigned as a result of this approach to realism.
Regimental History - 1974-77
1974If the emphasis in 1973 had been on communications, in 1974 it was on military training. The first time that 34 took to the field as infantry was in May in the Catterick area. The training was continued at Camp when again for the first time, arms were carried on the main exercise. Camp was at Westdown on Salisbury Plain and, unusually, the main exercise took place during the first week. The communications side of the exercise was ambitious, while in addition real enemy were laid on. The increased sense of involvement and realism was remarkable. A further innovation on the exercise was the movement of a Commcen, something hitherto not attempted because of the wish to establish communications. And as a final postscript to the weeks proceedings, 90 Squadron insisted on upstaging the rest of the Regiment by formally marching back into camp.
The second week of camp was completely devoted to military training and is remembered largely for the activities of the Group Commander's dogs. Brigadier Jasper Peck had three basset hounds/beagles and when two ran off on Salisbury Plan a disproportionate amount of time and effort was required to reunite them.
A number of command changes took place during 1974. At the beginning of the year Major Ron Fawcett retired as Second in Command and was replaced by Major Colin Beadle. Major JF Smith took over as OC 50 Squadron. At the end of the year Major Jim Malcolm retired as OC 49 Squadron and was replaced by Major AW Illingworth.
At the end of the year the latest in the series of reorganisation was implemented. The CO took the opportunity to make a number of other changes. Most important was to give the Troops letters instead of numbers, so that, for example, the troops which staffed Commcens Mike and Oscar were called Mike Troop and Oscar Troop. For political reasons connected with entitlement to permanent staff, the responsibility for Gateshead Detachment was transferred from 90 Squadron to 50 Squadron.
In compensation, a new HF Troop, made up from the HF Dets scattered throughout the Regiment, was allocated to 90 Squadron. At the same time, the Hull Detachment, which had never really had a viable troop structure, became B Troop (BRLSC). This organisation brought to an end an era in the Regiment's life and made necessary a further period of retraining. It also brought about a profound change in the balance between the operating squadrons. 90 Squadron, from being the largest, became the smallest, while 50 Squadron which had always suffered from a shortage of numbers, found itself as large as 49 Squadron.
1975
1975 opened with staff changes. Major Beadle, the Second-in-Command left the Regiment for a brief sabbatical before taking command later in the year, and Major Mitchell took over. Maj JM Thew replaced Major Mitchell in 90 Squadron while Major RB Atkinson took over HQ Squadron from Major Jim Smiles. The latter transferred to the RAPC and became Unit Paymaster.
As the year went on, it became busier. First was a brief farewell to Brigadier Peck at the end of his time, and indeed at the end of his career. Second was the exercising of the Regiment's Freedom of Entry to Teesside. In the previous year, the young County Borough of Teesside had vanished in a local government reshuffle and the new authority, Middlesbrough, kindly offered to transfer the Freedom to them. The ceremony, stage-managed by Lt Col Olds was the grandest the Regiment had taken part in so far. With the aid of the Corps trumpeters, and with the Regimental Band, enforced with musicians for the Regular band, the parade was a great success. It was followed by a civic tea, and by an evening party at Brambles Farm. It also made an appropriate end to Brigadier Fairweather's tour as Honorary Colonel. After a career of nearly 50 years in Royal Signals he retired in April 1975, and was dined out in the old Headquarters Mess in Catterick in the presence of the Master of Signals, the SO-in-C and a large congregation of other past colleagues.
The new Honorary Colonel, Col LJD Davies, had served with the 49th Regiment and had commanded it from 1958-61.
Annual Camp was a Crowborough and while it went well and the main exercise worked, it lacked the challenge and excitement of its two predecessors. It will be remembered for two things, first was the superb Beating Retreat by the band, who, in marching on a fairly rough sports ground, put on a display of marching and playing which was quite spectacular. The second was the institution of Private Wire, a daily internal newspaper. This was the idea of the CO who persuaded the Second-in-Command to edit it. After initial problems as acceptability it rapidly became a focus of interest and a morale booster, although its double-innuendoes grew steadily less and less subtle.
The final event of 1975 was the change of command. Lt Col Keith Olds handed over to Lt Col Colin Beadle and went to become GSO2 to CC R Sigs 1 (BR) Corps.
1976
The Regiment now had two Lt Cols - Major Peter Halsey, nominally the QM (Tech) but in fact the Operations Officer, had reached the top of the Volunteer TOT roster, and was promoted to Lt Col at the beginning of the year.
Once again, in a BAOR year, preparation for Annual Camp dominated training throughout the year. This time the whole of 12 Signal Group was to take part in major exercise, with full staff involvement - for control purposes much of the staff element was concentrated in the Rheindahlen gymnasium, making necessary considerable modifications to the Regiment's deployment on the ground, and to the normal tactical dispositions. The bulk of the Regiment was to be in the field however Commcen Oscar's old Leloh site had become a bird sanctuary so it moved to Suchteln, while Commcen Mike returned to its traditional but increasingly unsatisfactory location at Neurath. For most of the rest of the Regiment, a semi-derelict camp was discovered at Ritzrode and sterling efforts by the advance party turned it into a very viable base, with facilities even including a sauna bath.
It was unfortunate that the long summer of 1976 broke, amid floods and gale-force winds, during the weekend when the Regiment travelled to camp. The rear party was fully occupied for several days obtaining reassurance from anxious volunteers in BAOR that floods had subsided and storm damage to their homes had been repaired. The weather in Germany was not too good but did not interfere with the operations. With the engineering relatively heavy, the accent was on traffic handling and the Regiment acquitted itself well, certainly well enough to be invited to come back again. During the exercise a call for help from 16 Signal Regiment was answered by the despatch of a group of switchboard operators to help out in their field commcen. The Camp ended as it had begun with pouring rain and gale force winds, on both sides of the North Sea.
At the end of year, WO1 John Robinson, the Regiment's first Senior Volunteer Warrant Office, retired at the end of his time and was replaced by WO1 Derek Graham.
Regimental History - Col W F Jackson OBE MC TD
(picture to be inserted)Superb collection of medals
Medals
This superb collection of medals was presented to the Commanding Officer of 34th (N) Signal Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Ian Westerman at the Regimental Burns Supper by Col Illingworth on behalf of the trustees of 49th (WR)Signal Squadrron. The Story of the medals is below. William Francis Jackson was born in Barnsley in 1886. His military career spanned some 32 years, beginning in March 1912 when he was commissioned into the Northern Telegraph Companies, Army Troops, Royal Engineers.Serving in several campaigns during the First and Second World Wars, he was mobilised to Gallipoli in 1915, where, as a Lieutenant, he commanded Cable Section ME 7. In August 1915 he sustained a gunshot wound that left him severely injured and resulted in a long stay in hospital from August 1915 until May 1916. He was Mentioned in Despatches on 10 April and awarded the Military Cross on 2 June 1916.
His amazing career
Col Jackson
After his recovery, he was posted to France in January 1917 as Officer Commanding A Company 3rd Army Signals, serving with 7 Corps Heavies, 2nd Tank Brigade Signals and 18th Divisional Signals. On 2 June 1918, he was awarded a Bar to the Military Cross and was quickly promoted to Acting Captain in September 1918, serving as Second in Command, 18th Divisional Signals Company, with a successive promotion two months later to Acting Major and Deputy Assistant Director 1st Tank Group Signals.
He was demobilised in April 1919 and immediately joined 49th (West Riding) Divisional Signal Company (Territorial Army), the new name of his old Company, reverting to his substantive rank Lieutenant. Between the wars he rose through the ranks to eventually command the Regiment from 1937 to 1940. During this time Lieutenant Colonel Jackson led his men, along with additional sub units, on the Narvik Expedition, to Norway and later to Iceland from July 1940 to April 1942, where he became Chief Signals Officer with the rank of Colonel.
Awarded the Territorial Decoration (TD), for which he held no less than 5 Bars, and the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1940, Colonel Jackson was again mentioned in Dispatches on 20 December 1940. In addition, General Officer Commanding Iceland granted him the Certificate of Merit, Gallantry and Good Service on 20 January 1942. On his return from Iceland to England, he was appointed Signals Liaison Officer to the Headquarters of the United States Army in the United Kingdom. For the role he played in the communication planning for the invasion of France, he won the US Legion of Merit and the Croix de Guerre.
Colonel W F Jackson OBE MC TD retired in 1944 at the age of 58. He was a man of courage resolution and ability, a natural leader, honoured and respected by all. He died on 9 August 1964, after a long illness and received full military honours at his funeral in Leeds that was attended in strength by his old comrades from 49th Signal Regiment.
(picture to be inserted)
Regimental History - Outstation
In 1967, the Regiment had only three centres, Middlesbrough, Darlington and Leeds, but by 1970 it had acquired two more, with officially established sub-units in Gateshead and Hull. The latter has come about as a result of the demise of the TAVR 3 Regiment Signal Troops which had been set up in 1967 to provide Royal Signals support for a AVR 3 Battalion. A nucleus of personnel, predominately WRAC, became available in Hull and were incorporated in 49 Squadron. In 1974, B Troop, the BRLSC Signal Troop was established at Hull and, in addition, the detachment provided elements of other troops in 49 Squadron.The story of the Gateshead detachment goes back to 1967 and illustrates how local spirit and enthusiasm can overcome bureaucratic restrictions. Although the Tyneside squadron of the 50th Regiment had provided a very high proportion of that Regiment's strength it was decided officially that no AVR3 Royal Signals unit would be established in the area to avoid competition with other major units of other arms due to be based there. However, a significant number of members of 90 Squadron came from Tyneside and, as an aid to training and to avoid wasting time in travelling, some accommodation was found for them in Newcastle, along with the AVR3 Signal Troop. Despite adverse circumstances, the group, 742 Troop, increased in numbers, under the influence of its commander, Capt Jack Raw, to an extent that more spacious accommodation in Fenham Barracks had to be found. It adopted the nickname 'F' Troop from the television series of that name and developed a remarkable esprit de corps. So much so that in 1969 it was officially established and moved to the TAVR Centre in Elmgrove Terrace, Gateshead, the former home of 338 Squadron of the 50th Regiment.
In the 1971 reorganisation Gateshead gained a second troop (741) and the establishment, through not the equipment, of a third (744). Although the size of the detachment made 90 Squadron disproportionately large, with an establishment of 211, such was its coherence that it was able to resist attempts to divide it between 50 and 90 Squadrons. However, in the 1974 reorganisation, it was transferred in to 50 Squadron. When troop letters were adopted, one of the Gateshead troops was officially named 'F' Troop.
Summary
Such, in brief outline, is the story of the first ten years of 34 (Northern) Signal Regiment (Volunteers). As it enters its second decade it is worth identifying some of the changes which have taken place. First must be the change from a unit containing a high proportion of officers and SNCOs who had experienced full time service, even war service, to one where only a small number had such a background. In 1977 the first squadron commanders with only volunteer service behind them were appointed. Secondly, the technical ability of the Regiment has improved beyond recognition, and it is now well able to handle the much larger quantity of technical equipment in its possession and to take its place, with confidence, in the order of battle. Thirdly, it has established itself fully in the military and civic consciousness of the North East.
Finally, tribute must be paid, by the Volunteer element, to the hard and dedicated work put in by the attached Regular staff throughout the life of the Regiment. Many, indeed most, came to the Regiment knowing little or nothing of the TAVR, but once having established that they had joined a thriving and worthwhile organisation, devoted their energy to improving its effectiveness. The result is something in which they can take pride, and their experiences can only help to develop the 'one army concept'.
In the 1971 reorganisation, Gateshead gained a second troop (741) and the establishment, though not the equipment, of a third (744). Although the size of the detachment made 90 Squadron disproportionately large, with an establishment of 211, such was its coherence that it was able to resist attempts to divide it between 50 and 90 Squadrons. However, in the 1974 reorganisation, it was transferred in to 50 Squadron. When troop letters were adopted, one of the Gateshead troops was officially named 'F' Troop.
Regimental History - The Early Years
1967-1977In this factual record of names and appointments (shown in Section 4), lie the bare bones of the story of the 34th first ten years. But, as already stated, the story must record the people in relation to each other and to outside influences. The following account cannot be entirely objective, being written from the inside, nor can it claim to be comprehensive; inevitably it is written from the Officer's point of view, and further restriction from a vantage point which has not always given an equally clear view of all of the Regiment. But so be it.
1967
This was a year of disarray. It began for the new Regiment on 1 April - fittingly as some said at the time Annual Camp was to be Crowborough in Sussex in July and in the meantime there was a vast amount of administration to be done - vehicles, equipment, uniforms to be sorted and issued, documentation to be completed, while at the same time the new Squadrons had to find out who was who, who was to do what, who required training in what, and so on. By the time of Camp, considerable progress had been made, and by the time the last vehicles pulled into Crowborough much had been learned. The logistics of the move to Camp had, in themselves, been a major exercise, and the experience laid a useful foundation on which future, more complex movement plans could be built.
Camp was the first time that the Regiment had assembled. It was the first time that the officers and soldiers of the old 40th and 50th Regiments had come together, and inevitably, there was much comparing of habits, traditions and experiences. It was, too, for the ex AER volunteers their first experience of the more relaxed TA ways, while for the ex TA people it brought the realisation of how high the professional standards of the AER had been.
Operationally the first exercise was a challenging experience for all. The concept of static communication centres, linked by radio relay, seemed straightforward enough but the reality threw out problems which were not fully solved for several years - in particular that of centralised technical control which was foreign to the old TA Regiments. The influence of the Group Commander, Brig Vaigncourt-Strallen was forbidding. His vision of the potential of the system took many of the officers by surprise and the results of the exercise left considerable food for thought. However, the new equipment proved that it could work, and the ultimate success of the exercise left the Regiment with increased confidence in its abilities.
Following Camp, training continued. An exercise later in the year was the first of many attempts to link the main centres. It was unsuccessful - indeed it was many years before this project was satisfactorily accomplished, but at the end of the Year, Lt Col Irwin could be satisfied that the Regiment was shaping up, and that he could hand over in the spring of 1968 with a job well started.
1968
This was a year of steady improvement, in numbers, as the urgent recruiting efforts began to bear fruit, in trade training, as increasing numbers qualified as a result of intensive work and in familiarity with the techniques of the new role. There were few changes in Regiment and Squadron appointments, giving stability to the system and allowing the process of building up group esprit to continue. The only major change was that Major JR Smiles took over HQ Squadron from Major SH Knight who retired after over 40 years with the Corps.
Annual Camp was again at Crowborough, but the difference in performance was noticeable. The concept of centralised technical control was becoming accepted and valiant work of improvisation by the TOT, Maj Gordon Smith, and his team began to make up for some of the inadequacies of the equipment.
In this year too, the new Commanding Officer, Lt Col PJ Evans, began to lay the foundation of the close liaison with the local authorities of the town and cities where the Regiment was based, which have been a valuable and continuing feature of the Regiment at times.
Under Lt Col Evan's inspiration, the Regiment began its continued association with the Signals Training Centre at Scarborough. Regular use of Burniston Barracks as a weekend training centre, or as a base for exercises, began in the autumn of 1968.
1969
Dominating 1969 was Annual Camp in BAOR. This was the Regiments first venture into its mobilisation territory, and from the beginning of the year preparations for Germany was the theme running through all activities. Much of the preparation was administration, training of drivers in continental highway code, writing and rewriting lists of air parties and road parties and recces on the ground by key officers.
The success of the move to BAOR was encouraging and all parties successfully arrived in Bradbury Barracks in Krefeld where 16 Signal Regiment were the host unit. Owing to the lack of space in Krefeld, 40 Squadron were accommodated with 28 Signal Regiment in St Tonis, which made for some complications, but both host Regiments gave generously of time and effort in making the fortnight worthwhile. In particular, the WRAC commcen operators received valuable training in the Krefeld TRC.
On the operational side, the Regiment carried out a limited simulation of its mobilisation role, though not in the actual locations and with no staff participation. Places later to become familiar; Eggelsberg, Leloh, Leuth and Bracht, were used as locations with the main control in Bradbury Barracks. Much experience was gained in operating and in the necessity for good camouflage and concealment, the latter aided by photo reconnaissance sorties by the RAF.
Other activities included the traditional Honorary Colonel's parade on the square at Bradbury Barracks and Beating Retreat by the band in the presence of civic dignitaries from Krefeld.
Also in 1969, Lt Col Evan's policy of involvement with local authorities bore fruit when the Regiment was granted the Freedom of the new County Borough of Teesside in May. The Regiment exercised its right by marching through Middlesbrough in September with 'drums beating, flags flying and bayonets fixed'.
Another innovation in 1969 was the 'second camp'. The Regiment ran a camp at Scarborough in the autumn, on behalf of the whole Group, with an emphasis on recruit training. This camp set the pattern for subsequent similar ventures.
Later in the year various changes took place in the command appointments, Maj CWW Smith, who had been Second-in-Command from the beginning, retired as a Brevet Lt Col and Major RM Stewart took over. Major RW Fawcett took over 90 Squadron and Major GC Beadle, who had left the Regular Army a year or more previously following his time as Training Major, replaced him as OC 50 Squadron in Darlington.
1970
After the excitement of 1969, this was another year of consolidation. Recruiting was good and the moral of the Regiment was high. Major Stewart had been nominated to take over command from Lt Col Evans in the autumn and the arrival of the first Volunteer CO was awaited with interest. Both within the Regiment and outside.
The Teesside Freedom had been the first honour awarded to 34 (Northern) Signal Regiment (Volunteers); in 1970 another first was recorded - the first piece of Regimental silver commissioned by the Regiment. Its story is well worth recording. Both 49th and 50th Regiment had various pieces of older silver either damaged or otherwise insurable, and it was felt that it would be worthwhile to use these to produce a centrepiece for the new Regiment. Major Richard Crosthwaite, a former officer of the 50th Regiment, produced a magnificent statuette of a Signalman of silver-plated epoxy resin, which was completed and handed over at a small ceremony. This unusual and distinctive work of art has attracted attention ever since and was included in an exhibition of military silver held in York in 1973.
Camp in 1970 was held at Lydd, a very good barracks, unfortunately unavailable to the TAVR until then. It followed the usual pattern of in-camp training during the first week followed by an exercise. From a technical standpoint the exercise was more challenging than before and again the command and control techniques were improved. But, like its predecessors, it did not fully stretch the whole of the Regiment for the engineering phase lasted so long that the message handling had to be curtailed.
During the autumn Lt Col Evans left the Regiment and Lt Col Stewart took over. Major Fawcett became Second in Command and Major GC Mitchell took over 90 Squadron.