28th (Gurkha) Infantry Brigade Signal Squadron 48th (Gurkha) Infantry Brigade Headquarters and Signal Squadron 246 (Gurkha) Signal Squadron | |
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![]() Cap badge of the Royal Corps of Signals | |
Active |
1952–1994 2002–Present |
Country |
|
Branch | |
Type | Military communications unit |
Size | Company |
Part of | 1st Signal Regiment |
Garrison/HQ | Imphal Barracks, York |
Engagements |
246 (Gurkha) Signal Squadron is a company sized military communications unit of the Royal Corps of Signals, and currently formed part of the 1st Signal Regiment based in Stafford. The squadron is one of five units which make up the Queen's Gurkha Signals. Originally formed in Malaya, the squadron would serve as part of the 48th Gurkha Brigade during the Malaya war, and later reduced to a troop based in British Hong Kong. The squadron was then reformed in 2000 and joined the 2nd Signal Regiment before moving to the 1st regiment as part of the Army 2020 refine.
First Formation (1952)[]
In the late 1940s, communism began expanding into Southeast Asia, and rebels began a campaign against the 'imperialist' British Empire, in what eventually became known as the Malayan Emergency. After the end of World War II, the regular British Army was reduced in size, with almost all regiments loosing their regular 2nd battalion, and their TA (Territorial Army) battalions being reduced further in a series of amalgamations and reductions. Because of these reductions the British Army decided instead of sending 'european troops' to fight, the majority of the British forces contained contingents from the British Gurkhas, Malayan Regiment, and King's African Rifles. One of the new formations formed in the Malaysian Peninsula in December 1952 was the 26th (Gurkha) Infantry Brigade Signal Squadron, made exclusively of Gurkhas, and based in Kluang supporting the newly formed 63rd (Gurkha) Infantry Brigade. The new squadron was placed under the administrative control of the 17th (Gurkha) Signal Regiment.[1][2]
When the new Gurkha brigades were formed, each brigade was assigned a signal squadron provided by the Gurkhas, and provided close support and brigade communications during the entirety of the conflict. In July 1954 the squadron was renamed as the Gurkha Independent Signal Squadron, and shortly thereafter renamed as the 48th (Gurkha) Infantry Brigade Signal Squadron and subsequently moved to Sek Kong Camp in Hong Kong. In 1959 after the re-organisations of the Royal Corps of Signals after the 1957 Defence White Paper, the squadron was renamed as 246 (Gurkha) Signal Squadron. In 1969 it was renamed as the 48th Infantry Brigade Headquarters and Signal Squadron after the 1966 Defence White Paper. In 1976 following the 1975 Defence White Paper, the 48th (Gurkha) Infantry Brigade amalgamated with the 51st Infantry Brigade to form the Gurkha Field Force, and the squadron subsequently renamed as the Gurkha Field Force Headquarters & Signal Squadron. In 1983 following the 1982 Defence White Paper, the squadron gained its title, which is maintains today, with a small change; 246 (Gurkha) Signal Squadron. Finally, as part of the 1992 Options for Change the squadron was reduced to troop size and merged into the Hong Kong Gurkha Signal Squadron.[1][2]
Second Formation (2002)[]
In May 2002 following that year's re-organisation of Land Command, the 2nd Signal Regiment reformed the 246 (Gurkha) Signal Squadron. This new squadron was based at Imphal Barracks, York and subsequently rejoined the Queen's Gurkha Signals. On formation, the squadron became the first gurkha Ptarmigan Trunk Node (TN) Squadron.[1][2][3][4]
Under the 2010 Army 2020 defence white paper, the regiment was to remain as part of the now renamed 11th Signal Brigade and Headquarters West Midlands and re-organise into a general support role and be paired with the reserve 32nd (Scottish) Signal Regiment headquartered in Glasgow.[5]
Following the 2015 supplement to the 2010 defence paper, known as the Army 2020 Refine, the regiment's role changed to close support and will eventually support the 2nd Strike Brigade (currently known as the Strike Experimentation Group). By 2025 the squadron along with the regiment will move slightly north to Catterick Garrison, but until then continues to remain at Imphal Barracks, York.[6][7][8]
After the re-organisation of the corps in June 2020, the squadron transferred to the command of the 1st Signal Regiment and now provides support to HQ 20th Armoured Infantry Brigade and operats the Wide Area Networks (WANs) and Operational Communications Information Systems (OpCIS). By 2025 the squadron is due to move to Swinton Barracks, Perham Down and consolidate with the other two squadrons of the regiment.[9]
The squadron's current structure is:[10]
- Squadron Headquarters
- Kowloon Troop
- Island Troop
- Sekkong Troop
- Support Troop
Footnotes[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lord & Watson, pp. 59–62, 100, 273, 277, 283, 284, 298.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 244 to 246 Squadron at British Army units from 1945 on.
- ↑ 246 Gurkha Signal Squadron. Archived from the Original on 1 March 2003. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ↑ 246 Gurkha Signal Squadron. Archived on 9 January 2007 from the Original. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ↑ British Army, Transforming the British Army an Update, July 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ↑ Royal Signals Institution, Presentation by the Master of Signals on the future role of the corps. 21 September 2017. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ↑ Regional Commands' regular unit laydown (FOIA). 13 August 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ↑ British Army, Royal Corps of Signals – 2 Signal Regiment. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ↑ Royal Corps of Signals Map.
- ↑ 246 Gurkha Signal Squadron. Archived from the Original on 6 October 2010. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
References[]
- Cliff Lord & Graham Watson, The Royal Corps of Signals Unit Histories of the Corps (1920–2001) and its Antecendents, 2002 Helion & Company, Solihul, United Kingdom. ISBN 1-874622-92-2.