Queen's Gurkha Signals

Queen's Gurkha Signals
Cap badge of the Queens Gurkha Signals
Active	1949 - Present
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	British Army
Role	Combat support
Size	3 Squadrons
Garrison/HQ	Malaya Hong Kong RHQ - Bramcote 246 Squadron - York 248 Squadron - Staffordshire 250 Squadron - Bramcote
Motto(s)	Certa Cito: Swift and Sure
Colors
March	Scotland the Brave
Anniversaries	Regimental Birthday 23 September
Commanders
Colonel in Chief	HRH The Princess Royal, LG, LT, GCVO
Colonel of the Regiment	Brig JJ (Jon) Cole, OBE
Insignia
Shoulder Flash
Abbreviation	QGS

The Queen's Gurkha Signals (QGS) is a regular unit of Royal Corps of Signals, one of the combat support arms of British Army. Together with the Queen's Gurkha Engineers, the Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment and the Royal Gurkha Rifles they form part of the Brigade of Gurkhas. QGS was formed during The Malayan Emergency to support the 17th Gurkha Division.

History

Origins

The history of Queen's Gurkha Signals dates back to 1911 when Gurkha Signallers were employed in the three Indian Corps of Sappers and Miners (Bombay, Bengal, and Madras). It wasn't until the First World War the whole companies of Gurkha signallers existed within these three Corps. Eventually at the end of 1928 these corps were phased out of service due to an insufficient work force.

The second Gurkha Signals unit was created during The Malayan Emergency. The unit was raised to support the Gurkha Infantry involved in battle against communist sponsored guerilla organization Malayan Races Liberation Army. This unit was fully composed of Gurkhas unlike the previous incarnation. On 18 December 1959, the newly formed unit was christened 48th Gurkha Brigade Signal Squadron with its commander Major L H Gregory MBE and 110 men. The regimental title went through many different names during the short period, before settling on the name Gurkha Signals in 1955.

Royal warrant and Title

On 21 April 1956 an honour was bestowed upon the Regiment when Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal presented her pipe banner to the Pipes and Drums. Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal is also the Colonel-in-Chief of QGS as she is of Royal Corps of Signals.

As a part of Queen's Silver Jubilee celebrations 1977, the Regiment regained its Royal title, along with the Gurkha Engineers, becoming Queen's Gurkha Signals. The Royal title and Royal crown were officially adapted on 20 April 1977.

Titles of the Regiment and its Predecessor

• Gurkha Signals (1948–1949)
• Gurkha Royal Signals (1949–1954)
• Gurkha Signals (1954–1977)
• Queen's Gurkha Signals (1977–present)

Cap badge and colours

Cap Badge of the Royal Corps of Signals

Grant tartan

During its formation year all the men were titled Gurkha Royal Signals and wore the badge of the Royal Corps of Signals, 'Jimmy'. On 23 September 1954, Maj Gen LECM Perowne CBE presented the unit with their own cap badge and since that day the regiment celebrates its birthday on 23 September.

Emblem

Two Khukuris point upwards, the hands crossed in saltire, the cutting edges of the blades inwards, between the blades the figure of Mercury on a globe, the latter supported above by a scroll bearing the motto 'Certa Cito' and below by nine laurel leaves, the whole surmounted by Saint Edward's Crown. The regiment were also given permission to adopt the Red Grant tartan and thus began affiliation with the Scottish Regiment.

Current units

246 Gurkha Signal Squadron (2nd Signal Regiment)

246 Gurkha Signal Squadron is one of the field squadrons under 2 Signal Regiment, based in York. The Squadron consists of 3 troops: Kowloon, Island and Sek Kong. Supporting these troops are the Squadron Headquarters, Technical Workshops and Motor Transport Departments. The Squadron re-roled in 2009 to become part of the cycle of Campaign Signal Regiments. 246 provided the core of the CSR's manpower and provided the Helmand Information and Communications Systems Signal Squadron during 2 Sig Regt's deployments on Operation HERRICK, delivering Operational and Strategic communications to Task Force Helmand and supporting units. 246 GSS has completed Operational Tours in Iraq, Kosovo and Afghanistan recently and deployed on numerous major exercises in the UK and overseas.

248 Gurkha Signal Squadron (22nd Signal Regiment)

248 Gurkha Signal Squadron is one of the field squadrons serving with 22 Signal Regiment based in Stafford, West Midlands. The Squadron consists of three troops: Lima, November and Oscar. Supporting these troops are: the Squadron Headquarters, Technical workshop, Squadron Quartermasters and Motor Transport department.

The Squadron was fully equipped with the Royal Signals PTARMIGAN trunk communications system but this system has now been placed out of service. Currently, the Squadron is equipped with state-of-the-art RICHELIEU digital communications systems, primarily used to support the NATO ARRC Headquarters. As part of the re-organising of Royal Signals units within the Corps, 22 Signal Regiment is now being equipped with REACHER and MITRAL satellite systems and will be receiving FALCON and further RICHELIEU and Satellite equipment in the near future. The Squadron has been busy over the last 4 years: moving from Colerne to Stafford, deploying to Iraq on Op TELIC, had the honour to carry out Ceremonial Public Duties in London and augmented 22 Signal Regiment on tour to Afghanistan recently.

250 Gurkha Signal Squadron (30th Signal Regiment)

The Squadron consists of:

• 2 Falcon troops, Victor and Whisky.
• X Ray Troop providing ICS support to SLE and ABTF.
• Support troop, comprising a MT Section and SQMS department.
• Squadron Headquarters.

Their main objective is to provide command Support to the Joint Rapid Reaction Force when deployed in order to enable the Command and Control (C2) of joint Task Forces at the small and medium scale. They are also responsible for the introduction of Falcon into service.

Other unit

Brunei Signal Troop

Provides CIS support to British Forces Brunei including secure message services in support of the garrison.

Nepal Signal Troop

Provides CIS support to HQ BGN(British Gurkhas Nepal) and its units, GWS and ACWs across Nepal.

247 Squadron(Inactive)

References

• http://web.archive.org/web/20100728111006/http://www.army.mod.uk:80/signals/organisation/8877.aspx
• http://web.archive.org/web/20100731190016/http://www.army.mod.uk:80/signals/museum/default.aspx
• http://www2.armynet.mod.uk/associations/rsa/qgsa/index.htm[]

External links

• Queen's Gurkha Signals - on British Army official website