Brigade Signal Squadrons

Hi

I do a bit of wargaming now and then - always "Cold War" era with the brave British Squaddie saving western civilisation from 3rd Shock Army.

Can anyone recall the organisation of a typical Brigade Signal Squadron of the early 80's ?

I can recall some of it -

G Ops
G Plans
Sig Ops (FV432)
Radio Relay (FV439)
AQ (FV432)

Thing is I can't recall much of the others - I know there was a Message Centre / Auto Exchange (where they one and the same ?)

The there was a "Brigadiers Hard Rover"

In 202 (33 Armd Bde) around 1981 we had around 15 tracks I seem to recall - obviously two troops to provide Main and Step Up but the numbers don't seem to add up - the AQ and Message Centre I recall were "Swingers" and the Brigs vehicle a one-off but what the other vehicles were I can't recall.

Anyone fill in any blanks - or is my memory playing tricks ?

Thanks
Niall

Doh - just remembered we had 2 Radio Rebro '432's as well !

Sorry..A wee bit after my time..i never had the luxuary of a squadron or a troop.just bullshitting regiments

The only Brigade Signal Sqn I was in was 39 Bde (213 Signal Sqn), so not really relevent to your question.

However I do know that in BRUIN days the Auto Exchange (20 line) and the Message Centre were each in a 43?. In the early 70s I once had to come down from Div to repair a printer at 7 Bde in the Message Centre and believe me there wouldn't have been any room in there for anything else.

Same as the rest of the old 'uns I'm afraid Niall, way after my time I was at 20 Armoured Bde, 6 Armd Div way back in 1952/54. I was Signal Centre Superintendent and below is the Armoured Command Vehicle I had charge of .. I know it is already posted on other paarts of the BAOR site, but it doesn't hurt to view it again. I'm the smiley faced 'full screw' ..

Len (Ciphers)

Len - saw this picture on another post elsewhere - the old wartime AEC ? ACV.

Really struck me how big the bloody thing was ! Must have been a pig to drive - think I prefer my FV432 !

Yes its on this site under Kit and Equipment plus the page on Armour and AFV's ...

Len (Ciphers)

Aye don't forget the rebro's. 98 alpha and bravo.


Our brigadiers hard top landrover got wiped out on the autobahn when a merc came across from the other side in heavy rain. Think it aquaplaned. Our lads were lucky to get away undamaged because the landrover was a write off. Fatal accident as well if memory serves.

Be around 1976, 20 Armd Bde HQ and Sig Sqn. Think John Gorst was driving it at the time?

Hi Fellas,

Great memories of BAOR. Got there myself in 1952. Went to HQ BAOR Sig Regt Herford. Was an OWL and worked shift at Bad Oeynhausen. ( Receiver Site). Great times. Gr.eat memories. Now 77 years young but still with the marbles.

Amendment 1.

Not 77 until April - got ahead of myself.

Jimsigs1

Anyone served at 206 Sig Sqn Munster.
Was there 1962-3 OC Major EMT Crump, SSM Jock Fisher. The Brigade Commander was Brig RMP Carver (Later Fld-Marshal).
We were in York Barracks in company with a Cavalry Regt and other elements of the Brigage HQ.
Great station to be in. Halle Munsterland stadium to watch good sport. Did a lot of exercises down the Dusseldorf area. Anyone remember the old YMCA windmill on the Autobahn.
Only spent a short time with them as I was then posted to 7 Signal Regt in Herford.

Great times
Jimsigs1

I see you were at 7 Signal Regiment the same time as me Jim..I take it that you were in 1 Squadron?

Hi Gordon,

Yes, I was with 7 Signal Regt from 1963 to 1966. First, working in the QM Stores with Capt (later Major) Fred Pavey the QM as a Sgt. Then got moved over to the other side of Barnes Bridge with the Radio Relay Sqn and became Tp Sgt of 'S' Troop. My 2nd troop sgt was Mo Crabtree. I think it was 3 Sqn. Troop officer was 2Lt Bill Backhouse who retired as a Brigadier. Smashing bloke.
What squadron were you in and did we ever meet. Let me know.
Regards
Jim

Gordon,

I see you were at AAS Harrogate. I was also there - 1949-52 intake 49B

Jim

Len (ciphers),

I see that you were in Kure/Korea in the 1950's. Whereabouts were you etc. I was there 1954/5 first with 29 Bde - J Troop, then attached to 28 Fd Engr Regt Troop Sgt of 'N' Troop and finally with 1st Comwel Bde in early 1955. The latter was formed as a result of the disbandment of The 1st Comwel Division.
Jim

jimsigs1 wrote:

Hi Gordon,

Yes, I was with 7 Signal Regt from 1963 to 1966. First, working in the QM Stores with Capt (later Major) Fred Pavey the QM as a Sgt. Then got moved over to the other side of Barnes Bridge with the Radio Relay Sqn and became Tp Sgt of 'S' Troop. My 2nd troop sgt was Mo Crabtree. I think it was 3 Sqn. Troop officer was 2Lt Bill Backhouse who retired as a Brigadier. Smashing bloke.
What squadron were you in and did we ever meet. Let me know.
Regards
Jim

Hi Jim
I met Fred Pavey for the first time in 2005 at a Denbury Junior Leaders Reunion he was a former RSM of the regiment along with his younger brother Stan a bit later who made Lt Col in the Corps Fred is no longer with us but last heard Stan is alive and well living in Harrogate
Cheers
Steve

Hi Steve,

Thanks for your response on Fred Pavey. He was a marvelous QM, always polite and friendly. Although he didn't mention anthing about his past as the RSM at Denbury he must have know I was an ex boy as he seemed to have a soft spot for us.
I last met Fred at a the annual reunion at Catterick. He didn't speak much but seemed a bit aloof and distant. I also met his brother Stan, who came to visit Fred in Herford. I think Stan was an RSM at the time.
Good memories Steve.

Jim

Hi Jim

Harrogate 59A

7 Signal Regiment 62 - 65

I was 5 Squadron,just down the hill from you.
Mo Crabtree???Didn`t his brother become RSM after Jack Gerrard?
Bill Backhouse (one of the better junior officers) was commandant at Harrogate Oct 90 - Jan 92.Then became a Brigadier.

jimsigs1 wrote:

Hi Steve,

Thanks for your response on Fred Pavey. He was a marvelous QM, always polite and friendly. Although he didn't mention anthing about his past as the RSM at Denbury he must have know I was an ex boy as he seemed to have a soft spot for us.
I last met Fred at a the annual reunion at Catterick. He didn't speak much but seemed a bit aloof and distant. I also met his brother Stan, who came to visit Fred in Herford. I think Stan was an RSM at the time.
Good memories Steve.

Jim

Hi Jim
Both the Pavey's were ex Boys both RSMs at Denbury and both QMs at Harrogate have more details send me your email address on a private message
Best regards
Steve (ED retired)

Hi Gordon,

Yes, Mo's brother did become RSM after Jack Gerrard. Didn't get on with him nor did Mo. I remember we ere both walking down to the Sgts mess when through the haze of mist and fog, his brother shouted out to both of us to smarten our walk and gase us both an extra duty on the spot.
Now Jack was a different kettle of fish. one from the old school. I used to do Guard of Honour duties for him being tall and he would give us extra leave when the duty was done. Turned out for a few generals in my time at the guardroom.
Met Bill Backhouse at the last passing out parade at Harrogate. He was most courtious and mentioned me in front of some other Brigadiers and Colonels he was with that I was his first Troop Sgt etc.
Good Memories
Jim

Gordon,

Whilst you were at 7 Sigs do you remember the family caravans on the square in north camp ? Also, can you remember a large German shephard dog around at that time. That belonged to a Dvr/elec Sgt of ours and had it shipped back from Rhodesia where he was serving. Finally, one of you SNCOs was SSgt Harry Sankey. We were in Korea together and also he had been during the 1950s the team Sgt of the White Helmets.
All useless info but in my memories of the time.

Jimsigs1

Hi Jim

The caravans were installed when i was there and were fenced off from the camp.I broke three ribs climbing that fence one new years eve.I believe they took over the whole square eventually and the fence was removed.I`ve got a pic somewhere .I`ll try and dig it out.
The only dog that i remember was "Digger" the Kit Kat lover.Got a pic of him also with Eddie Holness
Harry was SQMS of 5 Squadron,He had an accident while riding with the Trials Team and knackered his ankle.I remember him as a cheery type always with a smile on his face.
I fell foul of Jolly Jack when he was RQMS (tech).Something he never forgot.He summoned me regularly when i had been guard commander for a little chat, as he called it,which normally ended with a couple of extras.I was very pleased to see get his commision.

North Camp Caravans



Diggar

Fab pictures Gordon,

I too have seen the picture of digger with SSM Holness etc on the web somewhere and was going to post the same to you but you beat me to it. But I havn't seen the picture of the caravans before. Been up and down that roadway many times in my old Borward Isabella.
When I was with 11 Sigs at Catterick as an instructor (teaching weapons to the SSgts Courses), I was in my car with my then 18 month old youngest Son waiting for my wife to come out of the butchers when there was a tap on the window. It was Jack Gerrard. He was on leave from some foreign attachment in the middle east where he was a Capt. We had a chat etc and thats the last time I saw him I got on alright with him etc.

Jimsigs1

Hello!

Yes Alan Crabtree followed my father Jack Gerrard as RSM 7th Sigs - hard boots to fill!

I came across this site whilst googling my late father's name in connection with the Sultan of Oman's Forces. I also came across Gordon Dallas's site which led me to Flickr where I found a great photo of my Dad!

I spent a great deal of time recently looking for my father's pace stick which my mother loaned to Ron Knight when he became RSM of 11th Signal Regt. If it was lying around somewhere gathering dust, I thought it would be nice to donate it to the Museum in Blandford.

As a result of my search, through the Herforder site, many people contacted me and each had a wonderful story to tell about Jack Gerrard. It was heart warming to read them and know that his softer side sometimes shone through! I don't think he realized the impact he had on many peoples' lives both during his military career and afterwards.

I have just read a comment on Gordon's site which told the story of him having the parade ground washed down of snow which ended up as sheets of ice!!

I remember Digger. I remember a lot of other people too! And they all used to come to our house on Boxing Day. I also recall the requests that were sent over BFBS Christmas Specials to raise money for children. The three that were always dedicated to the Gerrard Family were 'Hit the Road Jack' (he always saw the funny side of it!), 'Big John' and 'Can't Stop Talking About You'.