THEwire June 2017 The Magazine of The Royal Corps of Signals Corps Formation: 28th June 1920 Corps Motto: Certa Cito Contents White Helmets Training June 2017 Volume 71 No: 3 Camp and Opening Show See pages 20-21 FEATURES DSCIS LEARN Network 10 Exercise LIGHTNING STRIKE 18 Royal Signals Motorcycle Display Team 20 2017 Corps Calendar 48 RSBF Corps Subscription Update 55 Blandford Garrison Golf Society 93 The WCIT 25th Anniversary 99 Photo by History of Signalling in 100 Objects 113 Basia Howard-Harwood 10 Sig Regt on Exercise JEBEL TIGER REGULARS See pages 33-39 News from Training 2 News from Formations 16 News from Regiments 22 News from Squadrons 82 Other Units 86 Lost Comms 100 Royal Signals Association 110 Last Post 112 Reunions 112 SPORT/ADVENTURE TRAINING 14 Sig Regt on exercise Exercise APHRODITE SKI RIPPER 96 See pages 40-41 Exercise DRAGON ALDERNEY WINTER 98 Exercise DRAGON CRUSADER SKI 100 Photo by LCpl Dobson, 226 Sig Sqn Exercise COCKNEY SWIFT PISTE 101 Exercise DRAGON CHILEAN VOLCANO 102 Exercise NORTHERN SKI CHALLENGE 1 106 Exercise DRAGON BAHRAIN ICE 108 Front Cover: White Helmets Opening Show. Photo by Basia Howard-Harwood Back Cover: 226 Sig Sqn on patrol in Sennybridge. Photo by LCpl Dobson, 226 Sig Sqn Note from the Editor It has been a busy couple of months here at The Wire, with many units moving to the new image-led layout and we hope you will agree that the articles are looking great and better reflecting the many tasks, roles and great individuals of the Corps. The Royal Signals Motorcycle The Royal Signals Motorcycle Display Team held Display Team 2017 their Opening Show on 8 April, all the details and by LCpl Dayne Ryan 2017 Final Season Training Camp Despite the news that the team will disband after the pictures can be found on page 20-21. Visit their face 2017 season, it has continued to show its class and professionalism in its march into this its final and 90th year. We begin by welcoming two new riders in the form of Cpl Paul Day and Signaller Luke Timmins who arrived late January and two returning members, Signaller Simon Opening Show off with the incredible sight of the book page (White Helmets The Royal Signals Sumpter and Cpl Robert Hitchmough to join the rest of famous 6-bike fan sailing around the the team in preparation for this year’s training camp, held With the sun shining on the arena for what could be the final time at Dalton Barracks, Oxfordshire. With six weeks of tough, morning of 8 April everything in glorious fashion. Once the show physical training on the unforgiving undulating terrain of was looking promising for the was complete it was time to head Motorcycle Display Team) if you would like to know Dalton Airfield the team were put through its paces to opening show later that day. to the after function and awards quickly get back up to the high standards set the previous A few pre-show jitters from ceremony. The award for Best First year. Being headed by our Chief Instructor Cpl Adam the two new riders started to Year Rider was presented to Cpl Huber and Chief Mechanic Cpl Mal Cooper the new riders creep in but a firm reassuring Paul Day, the Riders Rider Award were quickly integrated into the team and shown the from the existing team ensured was given to LCpl Grant Fraser, and where you can see them as they complete their final ropes by the current experienced members, both showing the two entered the day with finally the presentation of the most a solid aptitude for display riding as they got to grips with vigour and a strong sense of self prestigious award the Eldon Trophy, exactly how the team goes about doing its job in the long belief befitting that of the team named after Cpl Paul ‘Ely’ Eldon build-up towards the 2017 opening show on April 8. itself. Once again it prepared to who tragically passed away on the season with the closing ceremony on 30 September show exactly what it was famous way to a show in August 1997. This As the weeks of training camp went on the team for and why it takes, courage, is presented to those who have improved its skill set and showed exactly why it was the discipline, respect for others, given the most to the team over the longest serving display team in the world. Even with the integrity, loyalty, and selfless course of the season and this year’s strongest of efforts of Storm Doris the team still got the commitment. All the key values presentation went to Cpl Adam 2017 at Blandford. job at hand done and dusted with the opening show just of a soldier, to be a strong Huber, and was made by Cpl Eldon’s round the corner. functioning member of the mother Mrs Pat Barnfield and sister team as all 23 members worked Mrs Judith Whatley, as a mark of together to give a historic and respect to show the true prestige memorable display. the team past and present hold this award in. All in all a fantastic day As per the previous 89 years, enjoyed by all involved and a great the opening show roared way to start the 2017 season. into life as the bikes entered Read what OCdt Bennett thought of Ex LIGHTNING the arena to the sound of Photo by Phil Osment The first couple of weeks after the applause from the hundreds of opening show involved the team fans in attendance, some who taking trips to both Lytham St Anne had travelled the length of the in the Northwest for the St George’s country just to witness what Day Festival and somewhere slightly STRIKE; an annual exercise which puts UOTC teams would be the final presentation more local at the Abbey Hill Steam of the famous White Helmets Rally over in Yeovil. We have had to the new members. Midway a fantastic reception from all through the show after crowds in attendance and the team from universities across the UK, through some demonstrating the key skills continues to give a great account on a motorcycle, including the for itself showing that despite the traditional fire jump with the teams disbandment at the end of OC, Capt Jon McLelland leading the season, nothing will deter their the line first through the flames professionalism and pride as both arduous activities over a weekend in February, on both Cpl Paul Day and Signaller riders and soldiers as they continue to Luke Timmins were awarded their wow the public up and down the country with dazzling White Helmets, culminating in huge applause from both displays and eye catching performances. The season's families, friends, and ex-team members bearing the fruits highlight will undoubtedly be another visit to the Isle page 2. of over two months of hard training all leading up to this of Man for the TT races just around the corner in June, moment. The rest of the show retained the standard of when the team will show exactly why they are as famous its predecessors, showing a high level of skill, finishing as they are. Photo by Basia Howard-Harwood 20 [email protected] JUNE 2017 21 On 4 May The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists (WCIT) celebrated its 25th Anniversary as the 100th Livery Company of the City of London and a number of key guests from the HQ R SIGNALS were in attendance. The Corps of Royal Signals has been affiliated with the WCIT since 1992 and they have honoured many of the Corps’ personnel with awards including the IT Apprentice Medal and offered its Journeyman Scheme for joining the WCIT Livery Company. See page 99 for the article. 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