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21st Signal Regiment (Electronic Warfare)
21st Signal Regiment
12th Air Formation Signals
Royal Corps of Signals cap badge
Corps cap badge
Active 1943–1946
1952–1958
15 July 1958–present
Country Flag of the United Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch

Flag of the British Army British Army

Role Electronic Warfare
Size Regiment
Part of Cyber and Electro Magnetic Activities Effects Group
Garrison/HQ Azimghur Barracks, Colerne, Wiltshire

The 21st Signal Regiment is a signal regiment of the Royal Corps of Signals within the British Army. The regiment was, until the initial Army 2020 reforms, the only signal regiment to support the Royal Air Force. After the Army 2020 reforms, the regiment became a multi-role signal unit and following the Army 2020 Refine, became dedicated to supporting the Strike Brigade. In September 2022, the regiment's role changed again, becoming the second electronic warfare regiment in the British Army, alongside the 14th.

History[]

The regiment can trace its roots back to the "12th (Air Formations) Signals" formed in 1943. Each Royal Air Force group was assigned an "Air Formation Regiment" to the 21st Army Group.

The regiment was divided into two companies in 1944 upon moving into France including;[1]

  • 2nd Tactical Air Force Main Company
  • 2nd Tactical Air Force Reserve Company

At the end of the Second World War, the regiment's two companies were stationed at Bad Eilsen and Bueckeburg in Western Germany.[2]

From 1952 to 1954 the squadron supported the West Germany-based No. 83 Group RAF.[3] In 1959, the 11th Air Formation Support and 12th Air Formation Support Signals Regiment were hurriedly deployed to the Far East but were disbanded in 1971 upon returning to Germany. As a result of their disbandments, 21st Signal regiment was the only remaining air formation signals regiment.[4]

From 1971 until 1992 the regiment was part of the 4th Signal Group supporting the British Army of the Rhine.[4] After the Options for Change plan, the regiment was re-designated as 21st Signal Regiment (Air Support) and moved to Colerne where it remains presently.[4] After the initial Army 2020 reforms, the regiment is assigned as part of 7th Signal Group within 11th Signal Brigade and Headquarters West Midlands. The 21st Signals regiment is classified as a "Multi-Role" signal regiment.[1] After the initial Army 2020 reforms, the regiment was assigned as part of 7th Signal Group within 11th Signal Brigade and Headquarters West Midlands. The 21st Signals regiment is classified as a "Multi-Role" signal regiment.[1] As part of the initial Army 2020 reforms, the regiment also was no longer designated as an air support signal regiment and 244 (now carrying the Air Support designation) and 214 signals squadrons were transferred to 30th Signal Regiment and 2nd Signal Regiment respectively.[5] Following further changes under Army 2020 Refine, the regiment will now support a Strike Brigade in the future.[6]

In November 2021, as part of the Future Soldier reforms, the regiment was to be reorganised. On 7 September 2022, the regiment was officially re-roled and redesignated as the 21st Signal Regiment (Electronic Warfare) and 234 Signal Squadron which had been based in Cyprus was reformed under the regiment. The regiment is now part of the Cyber and Electro Magnetic Activities Effects Group, which includes 13th and 14th Signal Regiments tasked with cyber and electronic warfare activities.

Organisation[]

The regiment's current organisation is as follows:

  • Regimental Headquarters
  • 215 Signal Squadron
  • 220 Signal Squadron
  • 234 Signal Squadronreformed and assigned on 7 September 2022
  • Support Squadron

Commanding Officers[]

The commanding officers of the regiment during World War II included;[7]

  • 1943—1944 Lieutenant Colonel E J Reeve
  • 1944—1947 Lieutenant Colonel T W Norrish
  • 1952—1953 Major J N Boyland
  • 1953—1953 Major (T O T) H E H Clements
  • 1953—1954 Major C L Wikner
  • 1954—???? Lieutenant Colonel A H Costen

Citations[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "21 Sig Regt - British Army Website". 2018-01-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20180113034457/http://www.army.mod.uk/signals/25276.aspx. 
  2. Graham Watson and, Cliff Lord (2003). The Royal Corps of Signals: Unit Histories of the Corps (1920-2001) and its Antecedents. Solihull, West Midlands, England, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Helion and Company Publishing. pp. 67. ISBN 1-874622-92-2. 
  3. "British Army units from 1945 on - 21 Regiment". http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/royal-signals/regiments---major-units-2/21-regiment.html. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 "21 Signals Regiment History". 2017-09-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20170915215442/http://army.mod.uk/documents/general/21st_Sig_Regt_History.pdf. 
  5. "Royal Signals" (in en-GB). https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/royal-signals/. 
  6. "Royal Signals Presenatation". p. 7. https://royalsignals.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/20170921-Master-of-Signals-Presentation.pdf. 
  7. Major General Nalder, R F H The Royal Corps of Signals A History of its Antecedents and Development (Circa 1800-1955) London, Royal Signals Institution (1958). p. 631 ISBN 978-0950121826
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