30 Signal Regiment
| 30th Signal Regiment | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1959 - Present |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Type | Signals |
| Size | Five Squadrons |
| Part of | 1st Signal Brigade |
| Garrison/HQ | Gamecock Barracks, Bramcote |
| Nickname(s) | The Globetrotters |
| Website | https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/royal-corps-of-signals/30-signal-regiment/ |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lt Col Jon Carey |
| Insignia | |
| Cap Badge |  |
| Tactical Recognition Flash |  |
30th Signal Regiment is a regiment of the Royal Corps of Signals within the British Army. The regiment is held at very high notice to move, and primarily supports Standing Joint Force Headquarters.[1]
The Commanding Officer of 30th Signal Regiment is also the Commander Queen's Ghurkha Signals (QGS).[1]
History[edit]
1951 - 5th Corps Signal Regiment
1956 - 90th Signal Regiment (Trials)
1959 - 30th Signal Regiment (Trials)
1967 - 30th Signal Regiment
30th Signal Regiment claims descent from 1st Middlesex Engineer Volunteers which became 2nd London Division Telegraph Company in 1908. In 1935, that unit became London Corps Signals TA and which evolved into V (5th) Corps Signals by 1942, only to be disbanded in 1946. To help support NATO forces in Germany, 5th Corps Signal Regiment was formed in 1951. The regiment moved to Cherry Tree Camp, Colchester, and was renumbered 90th Signal Regiment on 1 April 1956. It then moved to AAC Middle Wallop in November 1958. In 1959, it was redesignated 30th Signal Regiment.[2][3]
The regiment moved to Blandford Camp on 21 March 1960 and absorbed 14th Signal Regiment on 1 November 1976. It remained at Blandford until the move to its present location at Gamecock Barracks, Bramcote, in November 1993.[2][3]
The regiment sent detachments to British Guiana, Swaziland, Zambia, Kenya, Sarawak, Cyprus, Borneo, Aden, Bahrain, Aldabara Island, Benghazi, Sharjah and Anguilla during the 1960s.[2][3]
Falklands War[edit]
During the Falklands War, 30 Signal Regiment set up a communications centre at the staging post on Ascension Island and provided Rear Link communications from most fighting units. By 1st June 1982, 5 Infantry Brigade HQ and Signal Squadron had landed at St Carlos using mainly Clansman radios. 30 Signal Regiment, with detachments from 1 Infantry Brigade and 19 Infantry Brigade Signal Squadrons, formed a unit to support the Land Forces HQ. 50 Signallers ran 15 nets on HMS Fearless which was the Main Force HQ. 30 Signal Regiment also provided satellite communications back to UK and secure telegraph for the two brigades.[4]
Operations 1983-present[edit]
Since the Falklands War, the regiment has been involved in operations in:[2][3]
Operation Hyperion, Beirut, 1983-1984
Operation Prosperous, Namibia, 1989-1990
Operation Granby, Gulf, 1990-1991
Operation Pinseeker, Kuwait, 1991
Operation Haven/Warden, Iraq/Turkey, 1991
Operation Hanwood/Cheshire, Croatia, 1992-1993
Operation Jural, Saudi Arabia, 1992
Operation Grapple/Lodestar, Croatia/Bosnia, 1992-1995
Operation Gabriel, Rwanda, 1994
Operation Chantress, Angola, 1995
Operation Purposeful, Uganda, 1996
Operation Determinant, Zaire, 1997
Operation Bolton, Kuwait, 1998
Operation Telic, Iraq
Operation Herrick, Afghanistan
In 2023, 256 and 258 Signal Squadrons deployed on Operation Polar Bear to No. 12 Downing Street (Foreign, Commonwealth, & Development Office), Cyprus, and Sudan to deliver a variety of support to enable command & control for a number of headquarters and deployed elements, which allowed an evacuation of 4387 people from Sudan during the War in Sudan (2023).[5]
Role[edit]
The regiment is part of 1st Signal Brigade, within the British-led NATO Allied Rapid Reaction Corps. The British Army describes the regiment as being "responsible for enabling PJHQ's deployable Joint Force Headquarters and supporting other High Readiness Formations such as the Very High Readiness Field Hospital, the Air Assault Task Force and Joint Helicopter Command."[6]
The regiment consists of[edit]
Source:[5]
- 244 Signal Squadron (Air Support)
- 250 Gurkha Signal Squadron[7]
- 256 Signal Squadron
- 258 Signal Squadron
- Support Squadron
Freedoms and Affiliations[edit]
The regiment has a long association with The Worshipful Company of Dyers dating back to 1960.[8]
The regiment has been granted the Freedom of Blandford, the Borough of Nuneaton and Bedworth[9] and the Island of Alderney.[10]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "30 Signal Regiment | The British Army". 23 Nov 2023.
- ^ a b c d "The_History_of_30_Signal_Regiment.pdf" (PDF). 23 Nov 2023.
- ^ a b c d "British Army units from 1945 on - 30 Regiment". british-army-units1945on.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
- ^ "Museum Exhibitions of Post War Operations | Royal Signals Museum". Retrieved 2023-11-23.
- ^ a b "The Wire - Page 66". royalsignals.org. Autumn 2023. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
- ^ "1st Signal Brigade | The British Army". 23 Nov 2023.
- ^ "Queen's Gurkha Signals | The British Army". 23 Nov 2023.
- ^ "30th Signals Regiment". The Worshipful Company of Dyers. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
- ^ "The 30th Signal Regiment - Freedom of Entry to Nuneaton". www.highsheriffofwarwickshire.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
- ^ "On this day 9th May | Royal Signals Museum". Retrieved 2023-11-23.