12th Signal Brigade (United Kingdom): Difference between revisions

A year after the 1966 Defence White Paper, the '''12th Signal Group (Volunteers)''' was formed with its headquarters at the [[Duke of York's Headquarters]] in [[Chelsea, London|Chelsea]], [[London]]. In 1968 it came under the control of [[Army Strategic Command (United Kingdom)|Army Strategic Command]]. Because the group's role was to provide support and rear area duties assistance to the 1st (British Corps) in West Germany, it was brought under control of this command by 1969.<ref name=":0"/> For administrative purposes, the group was under command of [[London District (British Army)|Headquarters London District]].<ref name=":0"/><ref name=":1">Vieux-Bill, Louis (May 2021). "[https://www.orbat85.nl/documents/BAOR-July-1989.pdf British Army of the Rhine Order of Battle, July 1989]" (PDF). ''1985 Orders of Battle''. Retrieved 15 December 2021.</ref><ref name=":822">British Army, ''1991 Master Order of Battle'', Ministry of Defence, London. London, United Kingdom. Retrieved 15 December 2021.</ref><ref name=":2">Fritz, Alter (October 2018). "[https://www.relikte.com/_basis/docs/baor-rafg-2.pdf British Army of the Rhine & Royal Air Force Germany 1989: Organisation and stationing of the British Armed Forces in Germany in 1989]" (PDF). ''Relics in Upper Saxony & Bremen''. Retrieved 15 December 2021 .</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite book|last=Chappell|first=Mike|title=The British Army in the 1980s|publisher=Osprey Publishings|year=1987|isbn=978-0850457964|location=Long Acre, London, United Kingdom|oclc=944154518cn}}</ref>

Following the [[1981 Defence White Paper]], the Territorial Army was given roles of increased priority, and more emphasis was placed on supporting the BAOR. As a result of this paper, the 12th Signal Group was redesignated as the '''12th Signal Brigade (Volunteers)''' was tasked with relocating to West Germany within 72 hours of mobilisation. The role of the brigade was now to establish and operate telecommunication connections in the Rear Combat Zone and the Communications Zone.<ref name=":0"/><ref name=":1"/><ref name=":822" /><ref name=":2"/><ref name=":3"/>{{cn}}

Following the [[Future Army Structure (2004)|Future Army Structure]] changes announced in 2004, as a supplement to the [[2003 Defence White Paper]], the [[11th Signal Brigade and Headquarters West Midlands|11th Signal Brigade]] would expand from just three regiments in 2004 to six regiments by 2007. By 2007, the regiments which joined the brigade (33rd (Lancashire & Cheshire), 34th (Northern), and 35th (South Midlands) Signal Regiments) were grouped into the '''12th Signal Group (Volunteers)'''. The group established its headquarters at [[Beacon Barracks]] in [[Stafford]] and oversaw the TA regiments within the brigade. The group's, and indeed the regiments, roles were now to provide support for CIS (Combat Information Systems), EW (Electronic Warfare), and ARRC rear support (12th Signal Group) to Land Forces (established in 2008). Because of their unique role, the group's regiments were equipped with the state-of-the-art, but expensive Ptarmigan communications system.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|date=2007-06-10|title=11th Signal Brigade|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/royalsignals/11sigbde/index.htm|access-date=2021-12-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070610145350/http://www.army.mod.uk/royalsignals/11sigbde/index.htm|archive-date=2007-06-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2007-06-26|title=Digital Communications|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/royalsignals/equipment/digital.html|access-date=2021-12-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626035247/http://www.army.mod.uk/royalsignals/equipment/digital.html|archive-date=2007-06-26}}</ref>