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Keywords:<\/b><\/td>History, haldane, lanarkshire engineers, territorial army, scotland, signallers, signals<\/td><\/tr>'); metaDataWindow.document.write('
Description:<\/b><\/td>A short history about 32 (Scottish) Signal Regiment<\/td><\/tr>'); metaDataWindow.document.write('
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History
The Corps Colours

History - The Regiment is inspected at Scarborough in the 1970s

In the Beginning... (1859-1902)

The 1st Lanarkshire Military Engineers were raised in Glasgow on 5 December 1859. The Regiment was formally registered with the War Office on 27 February 1860. In 1863 the Regiment adopted the uniform of the Royal Engineers. In 1864 the Regiment had its first association with Jardine Street. The location was to become the 'Corps Training Ground' beside the River Kelvin. In 1894 a Telegraph Company was added to the Regiment. In the same year the mock Tudor Drill Hall in Jardine Street was opened. In 1900 the Regiment was chosen to be the first operational use of the TA and a Company of 2 Officers and 99 Other Ranks were sent to the Boer War. The Regiment undertook its first Annual Camp at Dunoon in 1902.

World War I

YpresUnder the reorganisation of the reserves in 1908 (Haldane Reforms) the Regiment became the Glasgow Group RE Telegraph. Wireless and Cable & Airline Company were added and the Regiment was established for a Field Company to support 1/1st Highland Division. After the outbreak of World War I in 1914 the Glasgow Group RE was disbanded and the Regiment was sent as part of IV Corps and the BEF to France. The Regiment saw action at the 1st Battle of Ypres and had the distinction of being the first reserve regiment to take part in active service in the campaign.

World War II

On reforming the TA in 1920, 52nd Lowland Division Signal Company reformed at Jardine Street. On 28 June that year the R SIGNALS was formed and the Regiment changed uniform and capbadge. During World War II the Regiment again saw active service in support of both 51st Highland and 52nd Lowland Divisions in Europe. On reforming the TA in 1947 the Regiment returned once again to Jardine Street as the 51st/52nd (Scottish) Infantry Division Signal Regiment. A small part of the Regiment became the 82nd Army Emergency Reserve (AER). The Regiment was retitled 52nd Lowland Infantry Division Signal Regiment in 1948.

The Modern Day (1965-Present)

Red Grant TartanUnder the reorganisation of the TA in 1967 the Regiment was retitled 32nd (Scottish) Signal Regiment (Volunteers). At this time the Regiment consisted of RHQ, 51, 52, 61, 69 (NIH), HQ and 82 (AER) Signal Squadrons. The Regiment was given responsibility for Home Defence Communications in Northern Ireland and the addition of 69 (NIH) Signal Squadron was a welcome arrangement. 82 AER was disbanded in the early 70s. The Regiment adopted the Grant Tartan on retiring (pictured).

Under Options for Change and the TA Review the Regiment transferred 69 (NIH) Signal Squadron to 40 (Ulster) Signal Regiment on 1 April 1995.

The Regiment has 2 distinct operational roles:

  • UK Operations - We provide information, communication systems along with information management and agreed command support to SJC(UK) in order to enable him to exercise command authority over his assigned forces and provision of military assistance to civil authorities (MACA).
     
  • Expeditionary Operations - The Regiment constantly provides individual and groups of augmentees to Regular units on operational tours worldwide, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo and Cyprus.

The Regiment has been involved in a number of ICP operations recently, including the firefighters' strike in 2002-2003 and the G8 Summit in Gleneagles in 2005.

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Please note: This is a work in progress and there are a few blank bits!

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 61 SQN PIPE BANNER
Pipe banner presentation in 1963Pipe Major J Frame and the CO Lt Col Bruce Beattie tying on pipe banner presented by the Hon Col Sir Harold Mitchell in 1963.
61 Squadron's History » 

 RECRUITING IN THE 1970s
Recruiting in the 1970sThis picture shows a typical recruiting scene from the 1970s.
Check out recruiting today » 

 TARTAN-TASTIC
Ladies from 51 Signal Squadron in Mess dress in the 1980sFemale members of the Sergeants' Mess in full tartan dress, ready for a dinner night in the early 1980s.

Honorary Colonels

1967 Maj Gen A M W Whistler CB, CBE
1972 Col I M Wotherspoon TD, ADC
1977 Col K F Lloyd
1983 Col D J Macintyre
1988 Col Sir David McNee Q.P.M.
1992 Col J A Sherriff
1994 Col A S Petrie OStJ, TD, JP
1999 Col A C Cunningham TD

Commanding Officers

1967 Lt Col G L Davies
1969 Lt Col D G Cattermull
1972 Lt Col R Goodwin-Jones
1974 Lt Col R P Hills
1976 Lt Col A S Petrie TD
1979 Lt Col Cross
1981 Lt Col J J Cullen
1984 Lt Col Culley
1986 Lt Col D P Hughes
1989 Lt Col M J Anderson
1992 Lt Col W Brewin
1994 Lt Col J O Robertson
1996 Lt Col A Lapsley TD
1999 Lt Col J McKee MBE
2002 Lt Col E M Blyth TD
2004 Lt Col R Sutherland TD
2007 Lt Col H A Jenkins

Regimental Sergeant Majors

1987 WO1 S A May
1989 WO1 T A Mortlock
1991 WO1 W Heelan BEM
1992 WO1 Patrickson
1994 WO1 G G A Keith
1997 WO1 J S McLachlan
1999 WO1 A B Hilborn
2001 WO1 S J Russell
2003 WO1 J Greenwood
2004 WO1 A Ironside
2006 WO1 D P Wilson
2007 WO1 J Watt
2008 WO1 B Thornton

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