Regimental & Squadron Histories

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Elmpt Station

Elmpt Station was constructed on drained marshland within a heavily forested area during the period February 1952 to July 1953. This was a remarkably quick construction as we needed to house the rapidly expanding NATO forces in the early fifties.

The demise of RAF Bruggen, as the last Main Operating Base in Mainland Eurpope, was made public in 1998 and the withdrawal process began in 1999. The official closure ceremony of the Station was held on 15-17 June 2001. The camp was then officially taken over by the Army on 28 th February 2002.

RAF Bruggen was named originally after the nearest railhead, in the North Rhine Westphalia village of Bruggen , however, it is actually situated just outside the village of Elmpt . It was for this reason that the Army took the decision in late 2001 to change the name to Elmpt Station. The name Javelin Barracks was adopted due to the use of the 'Javelin' flash by members of the 1st Signal Brigade.

 

230 Signal Squadron

In 1956, Malaya Command Signal Regiment (q.v. 18 Signal Regiment) was reduced to a single squadron, the Malaya Signal Squadron based in Kuala Lumpur. This Squadron provided links to GHQ FARELF in Singapore, and to 17th Division Signal Regiment and 1st Federation Division in Malaya. By 1957, the squadron had taken on air support duties for Commonwealth forces in Malaya, and was known as the Overseas Commonwealth Lands Forces Signal Squadron. It became the 230 Signal Squadron (Overseas Commonwealth Land Forces) in 1959, responsible for the provision of air-portable air control teams to support units in active operations, with the Squadrons' headquarters located at Seremban. The squadron disbanded on 1 September 1961.

The squadron number was revived and allocated to 2 Sqaudron, 16 Signal Regiment, on 11 January 1993, and transferred to 7 Signal Regiment in March 1994, but returned to 16 Signal Regiment in April 1997, as 230 (Malaya) Signal Squadron.

 

252 Signal Squadron

With the disbandment of 27 Signal Regiment on 15 February 1960, 252 Signal Squadron, 253 Signal Squadron and a Headquarters Royal Signals were created to replace it. 252 Signal Squadron (Hong Kong) became Hong Kong's operating squadron. A reorganisation in 1964 made the squadron responsible for the communications on Hong Kong island and was the HQ Land Forces Signal Squadron. It lost its independent status on 1 July 1971, when 27 Signal Regiment was reformed.

On 4 October 1993, 252 (Hong Kong) Signal Squadron was formed from 4 Squadron, 16 Signal Regiment, at Krefeld in Germany. It is the British Army Germany, (BAG) Fixed Infrastructure Squadron of that regiment.

 

255 Signal Squadron

On 2 June 1960 the Persian Gulf Signal Troop became 255 Signal Squadron (Bahrain). This was the consequence of a decision to establish independent signal squadrons in Aden and Bahrain. The main body of the unit was at Jafair with out-stations at RAF Muharrag and at Hamal. The units independance lasted until the squadron became 3 squadron, 15th Signal Regiment in 1964. It regained its independence on 1 June 1967 and continued operations at Bahrain until December 1971 when disbanded.

On 11 January 1993 the squadron number was given to 3 squadron, 16 Signal Regiment, at Krefeld, as 255 (Bahrain) Signal Squadron.