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HISTORY OF THE ALDERSHOT BRANCH, RSA

Edition 2, June 2020 The author acknowledges with grateful thanks the considerable help received in compiling the military history content of this update. Paul Vickers, Chairman, Friends of the Aldershot Military Museum, generously provided much detailed information on Aldershot Garrison aspects. The story of the formation of C Troop was drawn from the research work of branch member, David Mullineaux, written up in the Royal Signals Institution Journal of Spring 2010. Branch Committee Member, Neville Lyons not only provided the lists of events and talks but also proof read the whole document and made valued suggestions on presentation.

Historical Background There has been a strong link between Aldershot and the evolution of modern Army signalling ever since the establishment of the first Royal Engineers Telegraph Troop there in 1871. As the technology developed, so did the number of units both in Aldershot and worldwide with the result that at the end of the Great War there were 70,000 men serving in the Royal Engineers Signal Service. This led in 1920 to the formation of the Royal Corps of Signals which has maintained a continuous link with the Town and Garrison of Aldershot to this day.

The full story of this evolutionary process is set out in a further new paper entitled “Aldershot: the Cradle of

Army Signalling.” The technical and organisational details given there are separate from the history of the

Association branch but there is a connection between the two stories which was particularly close in the

early years of Royal Signals because of the units and individuals involved. For that reason a brief summary

of the paper is given in Annex A to this document.

Preamble Very shortly after the establishment of Royal Signals the Royal Signals Association was formed, based on the example and structure of the Royal Engineers Old Comrades Association. The Wire magazine of March 1921 lists the branches up and running at that time as follows:

Aldershot, Birmingham, Exeter, Liverpool, Derby, Glasgow, Bulford, Belfast, Taunton, Rhine Army, London, Maresfield and Crowborough.

Thus Aldershot was in the very first wave of branches to be formed, with RSM HE Mallows at the Aldershot Command Headquarters, Stanhope Lines as the local representative. At the time of this History only 6 of those original branches remain in existence.

The Early Years of the Branch 1920 - 1940 By August 1921 Aldershot Branch had 15 members and by September 1922 the Secretary had become CQMS AL Winter of 1st Divisional Signal Company. The Association continued to grow and by 1926 there were 39 branches including no less than three in Aldershot:

Aldershot Command Signals with Capt AC Sykes DSO OBE as Secretary

1st Divisional Signals with CSM R Keevil as Secretary

2nd Divisional Signals with Sgt N Grant as Secretary

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Officers Mess, Mons Barracks

Those individuals and units would have been well aware of changes occurring in the Garrison in the later 1920s. At that time there were many other Signals units in the area, spread throughout the Garrison and

as far afield as Bordon and Church Crookham. This made technical administration difficult and so a new barracks was built to bring them together. This was Mons Barracks, completed in 1927 and which remained in use until 1972. The officers mess is still standing and in use in a re-built Mons Barracks. The advent of the new barracks appears to have caused some rationalisation within the local Association for in March 1930 just the one branch existed, described as the Aldershot, Farnborough and District Branch, with RSM J Wigglesworth as the Secretary. It seems to have been a thriving organisation for on 18th and 19th July 1931 its first official reunion was held in the Barracks.

Aldershot Reunions. There is a good account of the subsequent 1938 Aldershot Reunion in the August edition of The Wire of that year, together with a picture of the 143 Old Comrades taking part. These included representative contingents from Birmingham, Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Southampton and Salisbury. The gathering “taxed accommodation to the limit”. Nothing changes! A picture of the event shows two officers in uniform, Brigadier RH Willan DSO MC ADC, Representative Colonel Commandant, and Colonel Fladgate, Chief Signal Officer, Aldershot Command. It appears that these Reunions took place on the Sports Ground of Mons Barracks and took much the same form as the later Reunions at Catterick and Blandford. They included sports, a smoking concert and church parade on the Sunday morning. As part of the march past after church, a detour was made through the Wagon Sheds while the band played “Boys of the Old Brigade” in honour of Association members. There is then something of a mystery for, in March 1939, the Wire records that “a new branch” of the Royal Signals Old Comrades’ Association has been formed under the patronage of Maj Gen Sir Michael Bowman Manifold KBE CB CMG DSO and the chairmanship of Colonel RM Powell DSO”. This retained the name Aldershot, Farnborough and District Branch and held its inaugural meeting on 25th January 1939 at the Imperial Hotel, Aldershot.

This is the only occasion that the Branch had a patron and it is fitting to summarise the outstanding career of General Bowman – Manifold. Commissioned into the RE, he joined the Telegraph Battalion in Aldershot in 1885 from which he was seconded as the Staff Officer Telegraphs in Kitchener’s force tasked with the re-conquest of the Sudan in 1896. His next period of active service was in the Boer War where he was awarded the DSO. At the outbreak of WW 1 he was in command of A Signal Company in Aldershot, deployed with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) and took part in the battles at Mons and Ypres before being moved to the Mediterranean region, He was Mentioned in despatches 8 times and awarded the CB and CMG before being knighted in 1919. He retired in 1921 and worked for Marconi and Cable and Wireless before his death in 1940.

In 1940 the country was again at war and there was little Association activity for the next five years.

After the Second World War Straight away in 1945, new or resurrected branches began to form. The so-called “inaugural” meeting of the Aldershot Branch was held on 9th April 1949 at the Alexandra Hotel which for a time became the regular meeting place. Maj Gen Fladgate was elected President, Mr WJ Abbott Chairman and Mr AH Green, known to his many friends as “Dodger” for reasons unknown, as Secretary. He had been largely responsible for getting this event off the ground and, having been a noted sportsman himself, had invited some notable personalities to attend including Joe Cotterell, Jimmy Emblem and “Dolly” Grey, the former Indian middleweight champion.

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The inaugural meeting after the Second World War.

General Fladgate is seated in the centre of the front row with Mr Green in the light suit on his left.

Post-war Dinner Night

Joe Cotterell was an outstanding athlete whose achievements were fully written up in the October 1949 Wire along with photographs. He was an English, AAA, Southern Counties, Army and Corps champion in middle distance running and had a similar record for cross country. This led to his “famous” collection of 30 cups and over 200 medals, 60 of them gold. Two more meetings were held in quick succession in May and June 1949. At the latter the forthcoming trip to the Catterick Reunion was discussed, cost per head, including free beer, £1.18. Also in this post-war period it is believed that a dinner was held in one of the Signals messes in the Garrison as pictured. By 1956 the branch was “still giving a good account of itself”. The AGM that year was held in the Royal Standard with Maj Gen Fladgate remaining as President. Mr LV Goodman was re-elected as Chairman, Mr R Fairclough as Hon Secretary and Mr AV Ient as, Hon

Treasurer. Other members of the committee for the coming year included Mr Jim Cadwell who instituted a collecting box for welfare to be used at meetings. The Cadwell Box, which is still in existence, was well used at one time and became known as the Pice Box, using a name from the Indian Army. At the annual dinner of the branch, which took place at the Royal Standard Hotel with 41 present, the principal guest was the Representative Colonel Commandant, Maj Gen Sir Hubert E Rance GCMG GBE CB. The General Secretary of the Association was also present. Mr EA (Ted) Mayne, Telephone Manager at Guildford, was congratulated on the award of the Emergency Reserve Decoration.

Maj Gen Fladgate who had clearly played a major part in the life of the branch died at home in Fleet in June 1958 aged 67. He had a distinguished career commencing with RMC Sandhurst in 1910 and commissioning into 60th Rifles. He was severely wounded in action in France in 1915 and later transferred to the RE Signal Service. In 1916 he returned to France in command of the 2nd Army Signal Company. He transferred to the newly formed Corps in 1922 and held a number of appointments in the next ten years including command of 2nd Divisional Signals in Aldershot. In 1940 he went to France with the BEF and eventually became Director of Signals in 1941 as a Major General. In 1943 he became Chief Signal Officer Middle East Land Forces in Egypt, which appointment he held until his retirement in 1946. He was Colonel Commandant from 1947 to 1955 and Chairman of the Royal Signals Association 1949-1954. In 1968 Mrs CW Fladgate presented her late husband’s medals to the Corps Museum in a ceremony at Blandford. In August 1958 the branch was still going strong, continuing to meet in the Royal Standard, and very active in supporting the Reunion at Catterick and similar events such as the Midland Reunion at Loughborough. In June the branch formed the largest contingent in a parade following the annual Mayoral Day Service in St Michael’s Church, and also paraded in honour

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Open air AGM, Garrison Sergeants Mess, 2005

of 16th Independent Parachute Brigade Signal Squadron’s tenth anniversary. In 1968 the annual dinner was held at the Masonic Dining Rooms in Farnborough with 75 members and guests present. Brigadier FJ Allen OBE was President at that time with Mr AH Green as Chairman and Mr AV Ient as Secretary. Joe Cotterell was also present along with many other well known personalities of the Corps such as Maj Gen Moberly and Brigadier Pat Hobson. The Masonic Dining Rooms were used again for the annual dinner in 1969. 1982 was an anxious time for many in the Services and the on-going link between the serving and retired Corps is illustrated by the signal sent from the branch in May that year to 216 Signal Squadron in the Falkland Islands: “Very best wishes to all ranks. We look forward to your safe return.” Brigadier Pat Hobson was the President at that time. The new chairman who took over from AH Green in 1987 was Lt Col Ron Murray who had been General Secretary of the RSA when he retired from the Corps, and subsequently became Vice-Chairman of the Association. In 1990 there is a record of a Christmas Luncheon Party at the Royal Aldershot Officers Club attended by a number of personalities who had served the branch well including Gordon Pickard, Terry Rawlings and Douglas Gardiner. Maj Gen and Mrs Alistair Anderson were guests.

From 1993 to 2020

Rejuvenation In the early 1990s there appears to have been something of a down-turn in branch activity until in April 1993 Brig Tom Wheawell, in his role as Area Vice Chairman, wrote to The Wire (and also personally to all known members in the Aldershot area) to publicise a re-launch party in the Garrison Sergeants Mess on 25th April by courtesy of WO1 Cartwright. There was a good response to this invitation, mainly from retired officers in the area and this was the turning point for the rejuvenation of the branch. A fresh committee began to form, taking advantage of the experience of some established members like the redoubtable Jane Knight ATS as Secretary, and Doug Crookes as Treasurer, as well as the gradual introduction of new blood such as Paddy Verdon and Peter Sharpe, all under the watchful eye of Maj Gen Henry Hild who had agreed to become Branch President. He was to remain in that post until moving away in 2001 for health reasons and died shortly afterwards. An AGM was called for 17th April 1994 at which the committee was confirmed with Brigadier Noel Moss elected as chairman. He has remained in office with outstanding, long term support from a series of dedicated committee members who brought stability to branch affairs throughout this long period. Neville Lyons who was elected on the same committee as Newsletter Editor, has also stayed the course. The complete list of committee members is given in Annex B.

Meetings resumed, initially using the Sergeants Mess of 5 Airborne Brigade HQ and Signal Squadron until, in 1997, the Garrison Sergeants Mess became the normal venue for meetings thanks to the good offices of the new Garrison Sergeant Major WO1 Joe Fairbairn of the Corps. His very positive involvement with the Association was matched by his service to the Garrison for which he was deservedly awarded the MBE. On his retirement in 2006 he and his wife were given a farewell party by the Branch and soon afterwards, because of changes in the Garrison, the normal meeting place became Buller Barracks.

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New standard leads the way

Master of Signals presents the pennant

Activities and Events After some restructuring of the committee there was now a firm basis for restoring the regular activities of the branch. A start was made by the institution of a regular programme of events designed to attract not only Life Members but also their wives and partners as representatives of the wider Corps Family. The complete records given at Annexes C and D show a breath-taking array of visits and talks that took place over the following years which was the result of the innovative work of successive Programme Secretaries – Neil Horler, Carole Thomas and Neville Lyons as well as Chris Endean as Visits Organiser. Some pictorial highlights are shown on Page 11. The record also reveals how a number of themes became popular at various periods including attendance at the Commandant’s Parade at Sandhurst, Military Band Concerts at Kneller Hall and taking lunch at the Catering Training Centre every Christmas. The longest running of these has been the Annual Quiz Night introduced in 1996 which continued until 2020 and evolved into a useful way of maintaining contact with all ranks of the Serving Corps in the Garrison. Food had an important place in the programme including regular visits to local hostelries and more formal lunches. The latter took place at the Army Golf Club on the bank of the Basingstoke Canal until 2008 when a very successful change was made to go to the Camberley Heath Golf Club. In addition to the regular programme there were many special events and activities that took place as shown in the following paragraphs.

1995. Concert by the Corps Band in Duchess of Kent’s Barracks on 8th March. This was a Garrison occasion to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the formation of the Corps arranged by Colonel Jim Blake who was serving there at the time. The Director of Music, Major Wall, announced that the audience would be the first to hear a special piece of music composed for the Anniversary. Branch members were delighted to be invited and to be able to partake of the refreshments afterwards.

1999. Anniversary Dinner on 9th April in the Garrison Sergeants Mess to commemorate to the day the 50th anniversary of the re-opening of the branch after the Second World War. Major General Sprackling, the Master of Signals, was guest of honour as was Mrs Barbara Torrie, daughter of Maj Gen Fladgate and Mrs Jocelyn Boniface, daughter of Dodger Green who had sadly passed away the previous year after tirelessly serving the Branch ever since the War.

1999. The Branch was awarded the 50 Year Pennant to be flown on the Branch standard. At that time it was the only pennant available but shortly afterwards a 75 Year version became available and this was presented

to the Branch at the Annual Reunion at Blandford in June 2001. The standard bearer throughout this period was Fred Bridges whose smart turnout and bearing brought great credit to the branch for more than 20 years. 2001. As a sign of moving with the times, e-mail became the normal medium for branch business and the first Branch Website - www.rsa-aldershot.org - was opened courtesy of Mike Wilson through his business account. This continued in use for many years until transferring to a page within the Association’s site. A Facebook account was opened later. The management of these media was taken over from Mike by Keith Hall in 2015 as an addition to his Treasurer duties. 2001. Branch Dinner on 6th April in the Garrison Sergeants Mess with the Chairman of RSA, Maj Gen Boyle, as guest of honour. Nigel and Betty Ribchester treated guests to champagne

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In the Joint Officers Mess at Stafford

Associate Members happy at receiving their pin badges

beforehand in celebration of their Golden Wedding and, as a surprise on the night, Nigel was presented with his 50 Year badge. 2003. Branch Dinner in the Garrison Officers Mess on 26th September with Brigadier McDowall, Signal Officer in Chief, as guest of honour. 2003. First Branch Newsletter in colour. With the advent of capable home computers and printers this replaced the earlier black and white editions initiated by Neville Lyons in 1995 and was to become a regular feature for the branch, three times a year. Neville remained as editor until 2005 when he took over as a very successful Programme Secretary. Ken Ovenden became editor at that point. 2004. Presentation of new Branch Standard in the Royal Garrison Church on 18th April. Service conducted by the Revd C Cook CF in the presence of Maj Gen and Mrs Boyle, Maj Gen and Mrs Bradley and other local dignitaries along with representatives of neighbouring branches all of whom congregated in the Garrison Sergeants Mess for Curry Lunch afterwards. The old standard was later laid up in the Royal Garrison Church. 2008. Representatives attended the unveiling by the Princess Royal of the Royal Signals Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum on 20th May. The statue of Jimmy, commissioned by the RSA and funded by donations, made good the previous lack of a Corps site at the Arboretum. 2015. The RSA was required to update its governance structure to bring it into compliance with revised Charity Law requirements. In the new structure, branches became independent from RHQ, and Aldershot Branch therefore decided that for the first time it needed its own set of Rules which were agreed at the AGM in April 2016.They were brought up to date in 2020. 2016. At the conclusion of the Autumn Lunch in October 2016, the RSA Chairman, David Hargreaves, presented pin badges to Associate Members of the Branch as a mark of appreciation for their great support. The majority of Associates were wives of members or late members but there was also a small number of other local personalities who had contributed to the life of the Branch.

2018. The introduction of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) on 20th May required the Branch to overhaul the processing of the Personal Data of Members, an operation very efficiently planned and carried out by Mike Wilson in his role as Database Manager.

2018. Visit to the new centre for Corps units at Stafford followed by a day at the National Memorial Arboretum with guided tour. Members were exceedingly well looked after and briefed by the CO of 16th Signal Regiment and his officers together with those of 1st and 22nd Signal Regiments who share the barracks. This was a brilliantly successful combined event organised by

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Jane Knight lays The Signals

wreath at Brookwood, November 2007. Jane had been a wartime member of the ATS

who served in the Italian Campaign.

Chelsea Pensioners add to the colour of

the Royal Garrison Church

the Visits Organiser, Chris Endean, with strong support from his wife, Janet (also a Life Member) and their son Graeme who had recently been a Squadron Commander in 16 Regiment. 2020. On 20th January, with the help of the Revd Colin Bell CF and Major Mark Long, OC of 251 Signal Squadron, a Memorial Service was staged in the Royal Garrison Church commemorating the Centenary of the Corps and the Branch. The congregation comprised Branch members and the soldiers of 251 Signal Squadron together with a number of distinguished guests led by Major General Jonathan Cole OBE, late of the Corps, and including the Regimental Secretary, David Craft, from Blandford and Lt Col Paddy Baines the Garrison Commander. There were also representatives of Winchester and West London Branches of the Association and three ex Corps Chelsea Pensioners led by Geoff Douglas-Hiley who remains affiliated to the Branch. General Cole unveiled a brass plaque designed and funded by the Branch. Refreshments in the Church Hall afterwards provided a splendid opportunity for informal discussion. It was indeed fortunate that this moving and highly successful event took place at the very beginning of the Centenary Year because, within a few weeks, the national Lockdown occasioned by the Covid 19 Pandemic brought a halt to all large scale gatherings, including Branch meetings, for many months.

Welfare Matters The programme of meetings and events complemented the core business of the Branch which went on as usual. The welfare of members and any other ex-members of the Corps in the area remained a priority. Initially in the hands of Ken Risby, responsibility passed at an early stage to the partnership of Jimmy Ward and Ian Ronald OBE. When the former stood down for business reasons, Ian, an officer with an outstanding war record, took on the whole package and devoted himself tirelessly to the task for six years until his sudden death in 2006. He was succeeded by Frank Partington who lived up to the same standards of care and personal attention in a post which by decree from RHQ was now entitled “Visiting Officer.” After he stood down for reasons of ill health no specialist could be found for this sensitive task and so the Chairman attended to any cases that arose.

Aldershot Branch was never a wealthy branch financially because, unusually, it never introduced subscriptions. The only regular source of income to fund running costs came from raffles. However, a Welfare Fund was opened in this period and regular donations were made from it, mainly to the RSBF (later the Royal Signals Charity) but also on occasions to other worthy causes including Queen Alexandra’s Hospital in Worthing that looks after some Corps veterans, and the Gurkha Welfare Fund. Other support was given to the Gurkhas by attendance for several years at concerts by their band given at their old home at Fleet organised by the NE Hampshire Branch of the Friends of the Gurkas. This side of Branch business has always been most carefully looked after by Peter Sharpe and Keith Hall in their times as Treasurer. Remembrance Throughout this period the Branch participated in the Remembrance Sunday service at the Royal Garrison Church, parading the standard and laying a wreath. For a number of years there was also participation in the annual Remembrance Day ceremony at the War Cemetery at Brookwood. Initially this was sponsored by the Normandy Veterans Association but was later taken over by the Canadian High Commission in view of the preponderance of Canadian War Dead resting there.

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Visiting 251 Signal Squadron, 2011

Liaison Determined efforts were made throughout the period to strengthening links with neighbouring branches (particularly Reading, West London, East Kent and Winchester), Aldershot Garrison HQ and the Royal Signals units there. It was found that the Branch Annual Quiz Night was a convenient and enjoyable way of building and maintaining friendly relationship with all these external organisations. This event was held in various barrack locations including the old and new Garrison Sergeants Messes, and the Junior Ranks Recreation Centre in the newly refurbished St Omer Barracks. The Branch enjoyed good relations with RHQ and was grateful for the enormous help received from all there but especially from three RSA Secretaries in this period: Peter Cuckow, Caroline Addison and Amy Thorpe. For many years after World War II the most prominent Corps unit in Aldershot was 216 Parachute Signal Squadron but that moved to Colchester in 2000 with the rest of the Air Assault Brigade. However, the presence of the Corps was increased and in 2001 the following units were stationed there: 12 Mechanised Brigade HQ and Signal Squadron (228)

101 Logistic Brigade HQ and Signal Squadron (261)

251 Signal Squadron from 10 Signal Regiment which includes a Public Duties Troop that works closely with the Household Division on all major national ceremonial occasions.

In May 2001 all of these units, as well as neighbouring Association Branches, were represented at the Annual Quiz Night which was attended by over 100 participants. By 2005 only 251 Signal Squadron remained but a fresh linkage was established with Fowler Squadron of 2 Army Training Regiment at Pirbright which had taken over responsibility for basic training of Corps recruits. The squadron is named after Lieutenant General Sir John Fowler KCB, KCMG, DSO (1864-1939). In his distinguished career, starting in the Royal Engineers, he served in the Telegraph Battalion based in Aldershot and went with them to the Boer War in support of 2nd Division. External Pressures This was a period when major social and cultural changes were taking place in the country and the Army which affected the Branch. A programme was begun to modernise the accommodation in the Garrison. Some barracks such as St Omer were modernised or rebuilt and others were sold off for civilian development. Administration was progressively handed over to civilian contractors which complicated the organisation of events and made them more expensive, especially if catering was involved. Security was tightened because of the ever present threat of terrorism. There was also a vast increase in the use of personal communication through the use of small computers and mobile phones. This provided news instantly day and night and made information on any topic readily available as well as facilitating the growth of Social Media. These developments greatly influenced life styles and social habits. For these and a variety of other intangible reasons face to face activities began to go out of fashion. It was inevitable that the World War 2 groups such as the Normandy Veterans and the Burma Star Association would fade away but in addition many RSA branches, including some neighbouring ones, found they were unable to continue. Aldershot Branch experienced a steady decline in numbers from about 150 Life Members at the start of the period to about 80 Life Members and 30 Associates in 2020 but was able to continue thanks to the efforts of its loyal group of committee members and the support of the other Life Members and Associates.

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Bob Webb guides members through the hangars at

Brooklands, 2016

Another factor to influence the Branch was the increasing age of the membership so that driving to meetings became something of a problem. Therefore the times of meetings were changed to be predominantly in daytime to avoid night time driving. This coupled with the increased difficulty of using barrack locations resulted in talks being held in the Parish Hall in Fleet from 2012. Visits were limited to places not more than an hour’s drive away.

The Contribution of Members In periods at this time the Branch was fortunate to number two General Officers in its membership. The first was Major General Peter Bradley who had moved into the area in later life. The high point of his exceptionally varied career was the award of the DSO at the conclusion of the battle of the Ardennes and Rhine Crossing in 1944. He was later to become the first Master of Signals. The second was Major General Bill Macfarlane (pictured) who, with his wife Helen, became an active and popular member after retiring as President of Reading Branch for many years. During his distinguished and varied career he had served in Aldershot as OC of 16 Parachute Brigade Signal Squadron later re-designated as 216 Signal Squadron. Another senior officer in the branch was Colonel Jack Piddington OBE MC. He served in 7th Indian Division in Burma and was awarded his Military Cross for the leadership he displayed in bitter hand-to- hand fighting in the battle of Kohima. He subsequently commanded 30 Signal Regiment and became Commandant of the Army Apprentices College at Harrogate before his last tour of duty as Chief Signals Officer of Southern Command. Over the years, the many committee members listed in Annex B devoted their time and expertise to upholding the ideals of the Association and running a highly efficient branch. Attention has already been drawn to some by name but there are others who contributed much. For example, in the key role of Secretary and Associate Members Representative from 2005, Mary Pagan not only made sense of all that was said at the monthly committee meetings, but also organised pub lunches, ran raffles and created superb floral displays for lunch tables. Grace Blake served as Area 4 Representative in 2010-11 and Professor Donald Swift-Hook also served in that position from 2019 shortly after joining the branch committee to which he brought a refreshing new outlook on many subjects.

Outside the committee, outstanding contributions were made by other Members and Associates including several who gave talks. An outstanding example was Bob Webb who gave two virtuoso presentations on musical topics brought to life by his impressive collection of woodwind instruments. He also arranged a visit to a Sunday Morning Church Parade at the Gordon Boys School near Woking where he was the music teacher, and acted as guide on no less than two visits to the Brooklands Museum visit where he is a volunteer. John Glanfield gave no less than three talks: the first on the Story of the Victoria Cross following publication of his book on the subject, the second on “State Occasions, Four Celebrations and a Funeral” based on his experience at organising large public events and the third on The History of POW Camp 57 which

happened to have existed near his home in Guildford. In passing it is of note that John’s achievement of three talks was only equalled by committee member Neville Lyons who spoke on “The Joe Lyons Story” (illustrated by free samples of Swiss Roll), “LEO: The World’s First Business Computer” and “War Artists of the Second World War.” David Mullineaux carried out extensive research on the growth of modern military

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communications in the Victorian era and wrote a book entitled “Tales of the Telegraph,” These examples most surely illustrate the knowledge and breadth of experience available in the Branch at this time.

Two other Associate Members were particularly active in this period. The first was Nigel Flower, ex- Intelligence Corps, who had worked closely with Royal Signals in his serving career. The second was Ken Ovenden ex-RLC and a cross country motor cycle champion of some note who had served in 2 Div HQ and Sig Regt at Lubekke. He took over as Newsletter Editor in 2006 and continued to put his individual stamp on it for almost ten years despite failing health, and was given the rare award of Associate Life Membership of RSA for his outstanding service. On his death in 2015 his widow, Gill, brought her own graphics expertise to bear by kindly taking over editorship very successfully.

Concluding Remarks This second edition of the history brings up to date the story of the Branch over the hundred years from 1920, a momentous period militarily, technically and socially. Overall it is a record of proud service to the Corps family but the going has not always been easy: activities were suspended throughout the period of World War 2 and have been put on hold again in 2020 because of the global crisis brought about by the Covid-19 Pandemic. As this is brought under control it seems likely that it will result in lifestyle changes that will impact nationally and hence on the Branch. A successful reaction to this new situation will depend on continuation of the sort of strong support of the Serving Corps and the Association that was aptly demonstrated at the memorable event staged in the Royal Garrison Church in January this year. The plaque unveiled on that occasion is a permanent reminder of the bonds that exist and of the significant role Aldershot has played in the history of the wider Corps. Resolute determination will be needed in the face of challenges that lie ahead. Overleaf: Visits and Events to Remember

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Visits and Events to Remember

Mottisfont, 2015

Kneller Hall 2000 2014

The longest Run Quiz Nights 1994 - ?

Visit to Stourhead, June 2013

Bletchley Park, 2015

Portsmouth, Spinnaker Tower, 2014

Brooklands, 2016

Lullingstone 2006

Camberley Heath – 2008- ?

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Annex A Committee Members of the Aldershot Branch 1920 -2020

Annex B Aldershot Branch Visits

Annex C Aldershot Branch Talks

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C Telegraph Troop RE on exercise at Blandford Camp, 1872

ANNEX A

Brief History of Army Signalling in Aldershot

Among the technical innovations coming into use in the second half of the nineteenth century was electric

telegraphy that gave the ability to communicate over long distances. An ad hoc detachment of the Royal

Engineers was the first to use this in the Crimean War and its success led eventually to the establishment

in 1870 of the first formal communication unit. This was C Troop RE, based in Aldershot. Their first

operational deployment was to South Africa in 1879 in the Zulu War where they also made use of

heliographs to cover the exceptionally long distances involved.

In 1884 C Troop was

amalgamated into a full Telegraph

Battalion at Aldershot which

deployed in the Boer War of 1899-

1902. Technology marched on and

in 1902 the first Wireless

Telegraph Battalion was formed in

Aldershot. This steady expansion

of units and skills was recognised

by the formation in 1912 of the

Royal Engineers Signal Service to

better focus communications

organisation and effort.

The role of Aldershot was further expanded in 1913 when it became the home of the Army’s School of

Electrical and Visual Signalling to which was added the capability to train reinforcement Signallers as well.

At the outbreak of the First World War most of the field Army was based in Aldershot including Signal

Companies in support of 1st and 2nd Divisions, a Cavalry Brigade and a Corps HQ. During the war there

was a vast expansion of communications and the strength of the Signal Service rose to 70,000 world-wide.

It had out-grown the Sappers and so little time was wasted before the establishment of the Royal Corps of

Signals in 1920.

Aldershot continued as a centre for the newly formed Corps. A variety of units were scattered all over the

garrison and in 1929 a new barracks was opened to bring them together – Mons Barracks. Peace did not

last for long and in 1940 units deploying from Mons Barracks included Corps Signals and 1st and 2nd Division Signals. Following mobilisation other units staged through Mons Barracks including those of the

Royal Canadian Corps of Signals. Also at the outbreak of war, officer training commenced in Mons

Barracks with the arrival of 151 (Royal Signals) Officer Cadet Training Unit (OCTU). Officer training was to

continue there right through until 1972.

After Dunkirk, returning units were reformed and redeployed world-wide. For units remaining in the UK, the

official centre for the Corps shifted for a few years to Maresfield and then northwards to Catterick but the

link between Aldershot and Royal Signals has never been broken. 16 Parachute Brigade including 216

Signal Squadron was based here for many years and other Signal Units have included those of 12th

Mechanised Brigade and 101 Logistic Brigade. In today’s smaller Army, 251 Signal Squadron is stationed

in the Garrison.

Heritage

All the early developments in this field of applying technology to battlefield communications resulted from

the highly professional approach of the Royal Engineers and the debt owed to them has always been

recognised by Royal Signals whose soldiers wear the same blue lanyard as a reminder. Royal Signals has

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built on the foundations they took over in exemplary fashion and served with distinction in every theatre of

operations since 1920. Today the service provided is more than ever held in high esteem by Commanders.

It is fitting in this Centenary Year that tribute is paid to all those responsible for the fine heritage built up in

Aldershot and elsewhere.

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ANNEX B Committee Members of the Aldershot Branch 1920 - 2020

Part 1. Officers of the Branch 1920 - 1984

1921 Secretary RSM HE Mallows 1921 Secretary CQMS AL Winter 1926 Secretary Capt AC Sykes DSO OBE (Command Signals) CSM R Keevil (1 Div Signals) Sgt N Grant (2 Div Signals) 1930 Secretary RSM T Wigglesworth 1939 Patron Maj Gen Sir MGE Bowman Manifold KBE CB

CMG DSO Chairman Col RM Powell DSO Secretary Mr CH Tolley

1949 President Maj Gen CW Fladgate 1949-56 Chairman Mr WJ Abbott Secretary Mr AH Green Treasurer Mr EA Smith 1950s President Maj Gen Fladgate CBE Maj Gen Morrison Maj Gen RJ Moberley Secretary Mr R Fairclough Treasurer Mr AV Ient 1960s President Brig FJ Allen OBE Brig Tucker Mr LV Goodman (13 years) Chairman Mr AH Green Lt Col D Gardiner TD Secretary Mr AV Ient 1980s President Brig P Hobson DSO 1981-82 & 1988 Col GDT Harris OBE 1983- 1987 Chairman Maj D Gardiner TD 1972 -1986 Col R Murray 1987- 1989 Vice Chairman Mr AH Green 1983- 1986

Secretary WO V Ient 1983 -1984 S Sgt G Pickard MSM 1985- 1987

Treasurer S Sgt G Pickard MSM 1 1982- 1987

16

Part 2. Re-established Committee, 1994-95

Appointment 1994-95

President Maj Gen Hild

Vice President Mr AH Green

Chairman Brig Noel Moss

Vice Chairman & Welfare Maj Ken Risby

Treasurer Lt Col Doug Crooks

Secretary Capt Jane Knight

Membership Col Paddy Verdon

Newsletter Lt Col Neville Lyons

Serving Member & Aldershot Garrison Representative Lt Col Jim Blake

Fleet Area and RBL Representative Lt Col Ian Ronald

Associate Members Rep & Camberley & Bagshot Rep Lt Col Aubrey Howie

Farnham Representative Lt Col Ron Murray

Guildford & Woking Representative Le Col James Treglowan

Wokingham Representative Maj Neil Horler

Auditor Capt Peter Sharpe

Part 3. Elected Committees, 1996-2020

Appointment 1996 2000 2001 2002

President Henry Hild Henry Hild Henry Hild

Chairman Noel Moss Noel Moss Noel Moss Noel Moss

Deputy Chairman Mike Wilson Mike Wilson

Secretary Jane Knight Jane Knight Jane Knight Jane Knight

Treasurer Doug Crookes Peter Sharpe Peter Sharpe Peter Sharpe

Membership Paddy Verdon Mike Wilson Mike Wilson John martin

Programme Neil Horler Carole Thomas Carole Thomas Carole Thomas

Newsletter editor Neville Lyons Neville Lyons Neville Lyons Neville Lyons

Welfare Jimmy Ward Ian Ronald Ian Ronald

SSAFA Rep Ian Ronald

Serving Member Joe Fairbairn Eric Udell Kevin Smith

Mess Liaison Ray Tindall

17

Appointment 2003 2004 2005 2006

President

Vice President Jane Knight

Chairman Noel Moss Noel Moss Noel Moss Noel Moss

Deputy Chairman & Information Manager

Mike Wilson Mike Wilson Mike Wilson Mike Wilson

Secretary & Associate Members Rep

Jane Knight Jane Knight Mary Pagan Mary Pagan

Treasurer Peter Sharpe Peter Sharpe Peter Sharpe Peter Sharpe

Membership John martin Chris Endean Chris Endean

Programme Carole Thomas Carole Thomas Carole Thomas Neville Lyons

Newsletter editor Neville Lyons Neville Lyons Neville Lyons Ken Ovenden

Welfare Ian Ronald Ian Ronald Ian Ronald

Serving Member Kevin Smith Andrew Lothian Andrew Lothian

Mess Liaison Joe Fairbairn Joe Fairbairn Joe Fairbairn RSM Gill

Appointment 2007 2008 2009 2010

President Noel Moss Noel Moss

Vice President Jane Knight Jane Knight Jane Knight

Chairman Noel Moss Noel Moss Noel Moss Noel Moss

Deputy Chairman & Information Member

Mike Wilson Mike Wilson Mike Wilson Mike Wilson

Secretary & Associate Members Rep

Mary Pagan Mary Pagan Mary Pagan Mary Pagan

Treasurer Peter Sharpe Peter Sharpe Peter Sharpe Peter Sharpe

Membership Chris Endean Chris Endean Chris Endean Chris Endean

Programme Neville Lyons Neville Lyons Neville Lyons Neville Lyons

Newsletter Editor Ken Ovenden Ken Ovenden Ken Ovenden Ken Ovenden

Welfare Frank Partington Frank Partington

Area 4 Representative

Grace Blake

18

Appointment 2011 2012 2013 2014

President Noel Moss Noel Moss Noel Moss

Chairman Noel Moss Noel Moss Noel Moss Noel Moss

Deputy Chairman & Information Member

Mike Wilson Mike Wilson Mike Wilson Mike Wilson

Secretary & Associate Members Rep

Mary Pagan Mary Pagan Mary Pagan Mary Pagan

Treasurer Peter Sharpe Peter Sharpe Peter Sharpe Keith Hall

Membership Chris Endean Chris Endean Chris Endean Chris Endean

Programme Neville Lyons Neville Lyons Neville Lyons Neville Lyons

Newsletter Editor Ken Ovenden Ken Ovenden Ken Ovenden Ken Ovenden

Visiting Officer Frank Partington Keith Hall Keith Hall

Area 4 Representative

Grace Blake

Appointment 2015 2016 2017 2018

President Noel Moss

Chairman & Visiting Officer

Noel Moss Noel Moss Noel Moss Noel Moss

Deputy Chairman & Database Manager

Mike Wilson Mike Wilson Mike Wilson Mike Wilson

Secretary & Associate Members Rep

Mary Pagan Mary Pagan Mary Pagan Mary Pagan

Treasurer Keith Hall Keith Hall Keith Hall Keith Hall

Membership & Visits Organiser

Chris Endean Chris Endean Chris Endean Chris Endean

Programme Neville Lyons Neville Lyons Neville Lyons Neville Lyons

Newsletter Editor Ken Ovenden Gill Ovenden Gill Ovenden Gill Ovenden

Committee Member

Donald Swift-Hook

Appointment 2019 2020 2021 2022

Chairman & Visiting Officer

Noel Moss Noel Moss

Deputy Chairman & Database Manager

Mike Wilson Mike Wilson

Secretary & Associate Members Rep

Mary Pagan Mary Pagan

Treasurer Keith Hall Keith Hall

Membership & Visits Organiser

Chris Endean Chris Endean

Programme Neville Lyons Neville Lyons

Newsletter Editor Gill Ovenden Gill Ovenden

Committee Member & Area 4 representative

Donald Swift-Hook

Donald Swift-Hook

19

ANNEX C Aldershot Branch Visits

1994 3rd August RMAS Commandant’s Parade (annually to 2012) 14th September Aldershot Military Museum (1st visit) 1995 14th June Clandon Park 1996 12th June Watercress Line 1997 9th July Basing House guided tour 1998 1th June Denbies Wine Estate (1st visit)

29th September Windsor Castle 2000 2th July Band Concert, Kneller Hall (annually to 2014)

13th September Tower of London (1st visit) 2001 13th June Basingstoke Canal

21st October Petworth House & Gardens (1st visit) 2002 3rd February Gilbert White’s House & Oates Museum, Selborne

1th March Bletchley Park (1st visit) 9th September Chartwell 2003 29th July Brooklands (1st visit) 2004 18th Mach Aldershot Military Museum (2nd visit)

10th July Painshill Park 19th September Denbies (2nd visit)

2005 28th July Tower of London (2nd visit)

1th September Kew Gardens 2006 7th March Palace of Westminster & National Army Museum

22nd June Lullingstone Castle & Roman Villa 2006 17th September Hampton Court 2007 21st June Down House (Charles Darwin’s house)

23rd September Bateman’s (Rudyard Kipling’s house) 2008 19th June Arundel Castle

20th September Music on Fire Concert, Sandhurst 2009 18th June Milestone Museum & Basingstoke 10-pin Bowling Centre

24th September Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Back-stage tour. 2010 17th June Hever Castle

23rd Sep Penshurst Place 2011 16th June Ightham Mote

1th September Museum of London

20

2012 21st June Cliveden House & Gardens

20th September D Day Museum & Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth 2013 6th June Stourhead House & Gardens

26th September Hughenden Manor 2014 17th June Mary Rose, Portsmouth

23rd September Inns of Court 2015 23rd June Mottisfont

2th September Bletchley Park (2nd visit) 2016 21st June Brooklands (3rd visit)

28th September Parham Park 2017 20th June Polesden Lacey

26th Sep Uppark 2018 19-21 June 16 Signal Regiment & National Memorial Arboretum 2019 26th September Petworth House & Gardens (2nd visit)

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ANNEX D Aldershot Branch Talks

1995 8th February Madeira Evening Ian Ronald 11th May The View from RHQ G Schofield & Jim Blake 20th September The History of Aldershot Vic Waller 8th November The Ghurkas and their Future Roger Wilsher

1996 10th January Bonsai Bonanza John White 13th March The Scu;pture of Faith Winter Faith & Freddie Winter 8th May Private Investigations Jim Smith 13th November Saudi Arabia Rob Symmonds 1997 15th January Museum on a Shoestring Jean Parratt 12th February Tales of Old Basing Alan Turton 1998 19th February A Gettysburg Address Henry Hild 19th Mach Gardening David Barlow 1999 20th April The Romanovs John Matson 2000 15th March This is Music Bob Webb 2003 13th March Tour through the Foothills of the Pyrenees Joan Tubbs 2005 17th March Rhythm & Blues Evening Bob Webb 10th November Weather Signs & Sayings Trevor Kinnear 2006 16h February The Wey & Arun Canal Jim Phillips 2007 15th February The Story of the Victoria Cross John Glanfield 2008 13th March Revamping the Home of the British Army Jo Usher 20th November House of Lords in the Eye of Chief Doorkeeper Richard Skelton 2009 19th March The Joe Lyons Story Neville Lyons 19th November Cholesterol and Other Myths Mike Smith 2010 18th March State Occasions: 4 Celebrations & Funeral John Glanfield

22

14th October The Cold War & V Force Nuclear Deterrent Bill Turnill 2011 3rd March alking with My Camera Mike Grimshaw 27th October Victorian Leisure and Pleasure Ian Bevan 2012 15th March Pub Signs and their Stories David Roe 18th October Queens Messengers John Kimmins 2013 17th March The Founding & Wartime Story of the SAS Lorna Almonds-Windmill 17h October Smuggling Derrick Fulford 2014 13th March Auctions and Auctioneers Christopher Hawkins 16th October The History of POW Camp 57 John Glanfield 2015 19th February Army Medical Services in the First World War Rebecca Skinner 19th November LEO : The World’s First Business Computer Neville Lyons 2016 18th February Under the Veil in Iran Sandra Simmons 17th November The Life and Loves of Napoleon Bonaparte David Williams 2017 16th February The Great Wellington Statue Paul Vickers 16th November Life After Iran Sandra Simmons 2018 15th February The Story of British Forces Broadcasting Alan Grace 15th November From Aldershot to the Western Front Paul Vickers 2019 14th March The Story of Berlin Alan Grace 20th June War Artists of the Second World War Neville Lyons 28th November Tudor London Ian Bevan 2020 20th February The Story of ENSA Alan Grace