15 Signal Regiment (United Kingdom)

The 15th Signal Regiment is one of four special signal regiments of the British Army's Royal Corps of Signals.

General Headquarters Signals, Middle East
15th (Cyprus) Signal Regiment
Headquarters Northern Ireland and 15th Signal Regiment
15th Signal Regiment
Active1936—1938
1940—1963
1965—1967
1992—Present
Country United Kingdom
Branch British Army
RoleGlobal Communications
SizeRegiment
326 personnel[1]
Part of11th Signal Brigade and Headquarters West Midlands
Garrison/HQBlandford Camp
Nickname(s)15 Signal Regiment


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.

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.[2][3][4]

World War II

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.[2]

Cyprus

Following the end of World War Two, the regiment was re-titled in 1946 as the 3rd General Headquarters Signal Regiment.[2] 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.[2]

Cold War

On 15 January 1965, the regiment was reformed in Aden.[2] After this reform, the regiment was re-titled as 15th Signal Regiment.[2]

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.[2][5]

After the Options for Change reforms, the regiment gained command of more signal squadrons.[6] After the end of Operation Banner, the regiment was relocated to Blandford Forum in Dorsetshire.[5]

According to a FOI Response, the regiment will fall under the command of 11th Signal Brigade and Headquarters West Midlands.[7][8] The regiment is also due to relocate to Perham Down from Blandford Camp by 2025.[7][8] The regiment's role is to provide "Specialist Technical Support" through information support.[8][9][10] The regiment's current structure is as follows;[11]

  • Regimental Headquarters at Blandford Garrison
  • 207 Squadron - from 16th Signal Regiment [12]
  • 254 Squadron (Army Reserve)
  • 255 Squadron[12]
  • Land Information Assurance Group (LIAG) (Army Reserve)

The regiment under the reform is to re-organise and become a close support signals unit.[10] The regiment will support the 12th Armoured Infantry Brigade by 2020.[8][10]

References
  1. "Army – Question for Ministry of Defence". p. 1. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  2. Lord and Watson page 54
  3. "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.
  4. "Files, The Patriot. "The British Army Overseas and the Colonies on 3 September 1939."". Retrieved 20 October 2019.
  5. "15 Regiment". British Army Units from 1945 On. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
  6. "Headquarters Northern Ireland and 15th Signal Regiment". Archived from the original on 16 February 2004. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
  7. "Army 2020 Refine changes since 2017" (PDF). Dropbox. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
  8. "An Update from the Master of Signals" (PDF). 2019. pp. 8, 14. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
  9. "Transforming the British Army an Update" (PDF). 2019. p. 12. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
  10. "Royal Corps of Signals Organisation". 2019. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
  11. "Army 2020 Refine Order of Battle (Updated August 2019)" (PDF). p. 72. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
  12. "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
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