31st (City of London) Signal Regiment explained

Unit Name:31st (Greater London) Signal Regiment
Dates:1967—2010
Country: United Kingdom
Branch:
Type:Signals Regiment
Role:Military Communications
Size:Regiment
Command Structure:2nd (National Communications) Signal Brigade
Garrison:Hammersmith
Nickname:31 Signal Regiment
Equipment:HF Communications
Equipment Label:Last Communications Equipment
Battles:Operation Telic
Website:31 (Greater London) Signal Regiment (Volunteers)

The 31st (Greater London) Signal Regiment was a territorial communications regiment of the British Army's Royal Corps of Signals. The regiment first formed following the creation of the Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve in 1967 after the 1966 Defence White Paper. After seeing limited reserve support during the Cold War, the regiment was disbanded in 2010 following the initial Army 2020 reform.

History

Following the announcement of the 1966 Defence White Paper, new "large" regiments and formed within the new Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve. Although more focused on the infantry corps and royal artillery, the royal corps of signals did see some changes including new TA regiments.[1] On 1 April 1967 the 31st (Greater London) Signals Regiment was formed with the following regiments being the "parent" units;[2]

After formation the regimental headquarters were located at Hammersmith where they would remain for almost 30 years. After organising the regiment was assigned to the 11th Signal Group (V) as the reserve trunk communications signal regiment for SHAPE. By 1992 the regiment was moved under control of the 2nd (National Communications) Signal Brigade and provided communications for the City of London and general County of London area.[3] [4] [5] [6]

In 1994, the regimental headquarters moved to Wandsworth Barracks in Southfields where it remained until disbandment. During this period, the regiment had links with the Worshipful Company of Innholders and the London University Officer's Training Corps. During the initial Operation Telic invasion, volunteers of the regiment served in Iraq with their regular counterparts.[7] [8]

In 2010 the regiment was disbanded following the concurrent disbandment of the 2nd Signal Brigade and the re-organisation of the TA signals as a result of the Army 2020 reform. Although the RHQ was disbanded, all squadrons' titles, lineages, and roles were all retained, with most squadrons moving to the other London signals regiment, 71st (City of London) Yeomanry Signal Regiment (V).

Organisation

Organisation of the regiment during its existence;[9] [10]

Regimental Lineages

The regiment, along with the other London Regiments, maintained the following battalion's/regiment's lineages and traditions;[12]

References

  1. Web site: 31 Signal Regiment Association Royal Signals Association. en-GB. 2019-10-23.
  2. Web site: Reorganisation of London Units 1967-1968. www.steppingforwardlondon.org. 2019-10-23.
  3. Lord and Watson, p.137
  4. Web site: 190-192 Hammersmith Road. www.steppingforwardlondon.org. 2019-10-23.
  5. Web site: 31 Signal Regiment Association Royal Signals Association. en-GB. 2019-10-23.
  6. 31 (City of London) Signal Regiment webpage
  7. Web site: The Territorial Force and The London Regiment 1908. www.steppingforwardlondon.org. 2019-10-23.
  8. Web site: Livery Companies and Cadet Affiliations. www.steppingforwardlondon.org. 2019-10-23.
  9. Lord and Watson, p.137
  10. Lord and Watson, p.286
  11. Web site: 190-192 Hammersmith Road. www.steppingforwardlondon.org. 2019-10-23.
  12. Web site: Reorganisation of London Units in 2007. www.steppingforwardlondon.org. 2019-10-25.

Sources