Dates: 1870 -
1st (United Kingdom) Armoured Division Headquarters and Signal Regiment can trace it’s ancestry back to ’C’ Telegraph Troop, Royal Engineers, which was formed in 1870 and in which Earl Kitchener of Khartoum served as a young officer. This troop was the basis for the formation of the 1st Divisional Telegraph Company in 1905, and served in France throughout the First World War. It returned to England in 1920, in which year the Royal Corps of Signals was formed from the Signal Service of the Royal Engineers. It became 1st Divisional Signals in 1920 and remained in England until 1936, when it moved to Palestine.
As part of the ’Options for Change’ programme the Regiment moved in April 1993 to Herford to amalgamate with its 4th Armoured Division counterpart. In this new form, the Regiment expanded to over 1000 men and assumed the title 1st (United Kingdom) Armoured Division Headquarters and Signal Regiment.
In 1938, the Regiment returned to England, and became part of the British Expeditionary Force to France in 1939. It was involved in the Dunkirk evacuation and subsequently saw service in North Africa and Italy. At Anzio, the Commander of the Division was Major General Sir William Penney KBE, CB, DSO, MC, late Royal Signals, who had previously commanded 2 Squadron of the 1st Divisional Signal Regiment.
Before the end of the war, the Regiment moved from Italy to Palestine once more, and remained in the Middle East until 1955, serving in Libya and Egypt. Between 1955 and 1959 it was stationed in England. In 1960, it was formed in Verden, Germany, when the 5th Division amalgamated with the 1st Division. The Regiment assumed the title 1st (United Kingdom) Armoured Division Headquarters and Signal Regiment in 1978.
As part of the ’Options for Change’ programme the Regiment moved in April 1993 to Herford to amalgamate with its 4th Armoured Division counterpart. In this new form, the Regiment expanded to over 1000 men and assumed the title 1st (United Kingdom) Armoured Division Headquarters and Signal Regiment
Memories of Division HQ and Signal Regiment
Division HQ and Signal Regiment, Queen’s Jubilee review of the Army in 1977Written by Andy Gibbs
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"I was posted to HQ 4 Div in December1976, I had previous experience as a printer and so I found myself posted to the central registry in the HQ, excused parades but having to do the mail and papers every morning, including Saturdays. The main job though was printing for the Div HQ, everything from the garrison church newsletter to top secret equipment lists.
We were soon caught up with the Queen’s silver jubilee review which was to be held at Sennelager. WO1 BERNIE GLEN was superintending clerk and oversaw it all, DICK SLOANE was the RE draughtsman who had to draw up the plan for where every single vehicle, its markings and callsigns would be, this went through inumerable redrafts as the staff officers in G and AQ squabbled about what went where, Maj SMITH (Staffs) was military secretary to Colonel David RAMSBOTHAM ( now LORD RAMSBOTHAM) and frequently attended to monitor progress.
Meanwhile I was up to my elbows in printers ink and running off 300 plus copies of the op order which ran to some 200 pages, together with a dyeline print of Dick Sloanes’s vehicle plan for each op order. I remember the massive heaps of paper and a load of us having to go round several conference tables, taking a sheet from each pile, in order, and stapling them together. That went on until 2 am one morning.
Finally on 7th July 1977 the review itself was held, just in case of administrative emergency PTE WALLY BRADLEY, WO1 GLEN and myself were ensconced under canvas for a whole 2 weeks at Sennelager. I recall that it was very hot and a shirts off summer, fortunately we had an ample supply of "orange briefcases" - Herforder Pils.. with us.
I am sure that many people will remember many different aspects of the review. My memories are of glorious summer weather, sleeping under canvas and being woken up by RHG/D driving past every morning, believe me a regiment of chieftains makes the earth move for you and is certainly an effective alarm clock."
Division HQ and Signal Regiment, in 1969Written by Dave Butler
Contact this person >> "Oh so many good ones with just one or two not so good, I remember the currywurst, Herfie, a girl called Ursula and all the different cars I owned. The many first class German friends I had and the benefits of being younger when dealing with a hangover......."
Armoured Division HQ and Signal Regiment, in 1976Written by Alan cowlishaw
Contact this person >> "On exercise there was a sudden requirement to calculate ammo tonnages and I offered my pocket calculator to a certain young Lt who was in a bit of a panic. Unable to work it he flung it at the wall in sheer frustration. Incredulous, I reminded him that it was my own personal property and the look on his face was priceless. Luckily there was no harm done but I do recall that he was known as Golden Bollocks many years before David Beckham came on the scene!"
