wireTHE April 2003 The Royal Corps of Signals T H E WIRE, APRIL 2003 1 THE VISIT OF THE COLONEL-IN-CHIEF TO MULTI-NATIONAL BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS AND SIGNAL SQUADRON (228) 4 - 5 FEBRUARY 2003 - by WO1 (RSM) Carter Following a rather exciting arrival at the VIP area of Pristina airport (courtesy of some very enthusiastic Russian and Italian offrs and soldiers) Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal was whisked away for a visit to the RLC (of whom she is also Colonel-in-Chief). The Multi-National Military Police (MNMP), manned all the junctions and vulnerable points, and the Royal cavalcade swept smoothly along the roads. After the visit to the CSS Sqn, Her Royal Highness was taken to Slim Lines to retire in the Royal accommodation for an hour or so. For those of you who have been to Slim Lines, Block E has never looked so splendid, with the QM, Maj Fred Payet, the RQMS(A), WO2 (RQMS) Sam Parke and the SQMS, SSgt (SQMS) Pete Mullen pulling all the tricks in the book to produce accommodation truly fit for a Princess. Of course security was at the top the priority list, and a complex security plan to keep the Princess safe was designed by WO2 (MTWO) Trev Croxon and SSgt Alex Alexander-High, and led by Cpl Jamie Slade. The Princess Royal was then invited to a reception in the Maj Paterson presents Her Royal Highness to the Sqn Comd team. L-R: combined Offrs and SNCOs Mess at Multi-National Brigade Maj Payet, Capt Corkery, Lt Barker, Lt Bermingham (14 Sig Regt), (Centre) (MNB(C)), Slim Lines. The Bde Comd, Brig JS Shaw WO2 (RQMS) Gillies, WO2 (YofS) Meehan, WO2 (FofS) Clifford (late Para) was presented to her before introducing Senior Offrs, Offrs, WOs and SNCOs serving in theatre. Her Royal Highness then attended a dinner party for a select 20. Following all the intense activity of the preceding 22 hours, Her Royal Highness finally arrived for her visit to the Bde Sig Sqn just before 1100 hours on Tuesday 04 February 03. She was greeted by the OC, and the 2IC and RSM were presented, before she was invited to be photographed with the Sqn. The gods were certainly smiling on us at this point. All the poor weather from earlier that morning had disappeared and the picture was taken under clear blue skies. It was then over to the Bde Conference Room to meet the Sqn Offrs and WOs and to be briefed by the OC. The briefing included recent and future Sqn activities and events, such as the handover to the Finnish Command, 6-8 weeks on SPTA re- learning the armour, conversion to Bowman and the move to Bulford in early 2004. Her Royal Highness was then shown to System Control were she met the crew and was briefed by WO2 (YofS) Paul Meehan on the complexities of the handover to the Finnish Comms Coy. She was Her Royal Highness meets some of the SMART team after their rigging demonstration then escorted to the aerial tower by WO2 (FofS) Rob Clifford, where she watched a demonstration of rigging techniques by LCpl Phil Brewster and Sig Pippa Lavenu. Whilst listening and looking at equipment used by our installation techs, the Princess demonstrated her very current and informed knowledge of RSigs matters. Sigs Gibson and Sturdy were not the only ones to be impressed by our Colonel-in-Chief’s knowledge not only of our working practices, but also the improvements in latest technology. The work environment over, Her Royal Highness returned to the combined Offrs and SNCOs Mess. Here she was invited to sign the Sqn’s visitors’ book and present 3 of our youngest Sigs with their Kosovo Medal. The lucky recipients were Sig Roberts from 14 Sig Regt, Sig Jemma Proctor and Sig Rob Lewis. The Princess was then invited to a light lunch to meet as many of the RSigs cap-badged offrs and soldiers we could muster, including members of 14 and 32 Sig Regts. Sadly members of 21 Sig Regt could not make it, as they were still up in the hills, providing comms for the helicopter flights. The RSM then called for 3 cheers for our Colonel-in-Chief, The Princess Royal which signalled the end of the visit and time to leave for the airport. Behind the scenes the 2IC, RSM and many others were trying frantically to smooth the waters with the Russians and Italians (another story) at the airport for the return journey. But we had forgotten the grace of the Princess. With a smile, she charmed those around, ensuring a successful farewell on the Royal flight. Overall the visit was a great success, thanks to many long hours of planning and preparation and the professionalism of all those involved with the visit. Her Royal Highness awards the Kosovo Campaign medal to Sig Proctor 2 THE WIRE, APRIL 2003 The Royal Signals Magazine April 2003 Vol. 57 No: 2 All correspondence and matter Subscription rates for publication in The Wire 2003 (Bi-monthly) should be addressed to (Feb, Apr, Jun, The Head of Publications, Aug, Oct, and Dec). The Wire, RHQ Royal Signals, Individual: Yearly £12.00; Blandford Camp, Bi-monthly £2.00. Blandford Forum, DT11 8RH Dorset. Tel No: Blandford mil 2079 STD 01258 48 2079 The Wire Remittances should be made payable to Matter for publication must be Royal Signals Benevolent Fund received by the 15th of February, April, June, August, October and 10th December Editor Maj (Retd) B L Redshaw for publication six weeks later. Deputy Editor Mrs M-A Field All enquiries regarding subscriptions/despatch should be made to Blandford Mil 2087 Member of the Association of Service Journals STD 01258 482087 CONTENTS Page Editorial ... ... ... ... ... 106 Movements ... ... ... ... ... 108 News from Headquarters ... ... ... ... ... 109 News of Training ... ... ... ... ... 111 News from the Balkans ... ... ... ... ... 118 News from Northern Ireland ... ... ... ... ... 119 News from Formations ... ... ... ... ... 127 News from the Regiments ... ... ... ... ... 130 News from Squadrons ... ... ... ... 172 News from the Commonwealth ... ... ... ... ... 189 Sport ... ... ... ... ... 191 The Royal Signals Association and News from the Membership Secretary ... 196 Lost Comms ... ... ... ... ... 202 Correspondence ... ... ... ... ... 203 Donations ... ... ... ... ... 206 The Last Post ... ... ... ... ... 206 FRONT COVER NEW YEAR’S HONOURS 2003 EXERCISE CARRIBEAN ENDEAVOUR. Capt Rob Francis and We congratulate the following members of the Corps who were SSgt Terry McIntyre of 36 Signal Regiment (V) went to awarded honours in the New Year’s List 2003: Antigua to join a Joint Services sailing expedition in January, during which they sailed over 700 miles with 44 night hours. Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) This is their yacht, HMSTC Discoverer, a Challenge 67, moored in English Harbour. Maj (QGO) Navindrabikram Gurung MBE RHQ QGS BACK COVER Maj Frank Gledhill Kirkham MBE TD BALDRICK VISITS THE BLACK ADDER SQUADRON. As Sheffield UOTC everyone knows, 101 Log Bde HQ & Sig Sqn (261) wear the WO2 Maxwell George Paterson MBE Black Adder shoulder flash. On Tuesday 4 February, 261 Army Personnel Centre paraded to be inspected by the Reviewing Private, Pte Maj Andrew Desmond Smith MBE Baldrick of the TV series. He is pictured here with the Sqn 38 Sig Regt (V) after that event. Authors alone are responsible for the content of their articles. The opinions expressed in the articles of this publication are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the policy and views, official or otherwise, of the Royal Signals or the Ministry of Defence. This publication should be treated with discretion by the recipient. © Crown Copyright Disclaimer: No responsibility for the quality of goods or services advertised in this magazine can be accepted by the Publishers or their Agents. Advertisements are included ‘in good faith’. Printed by Holbrook Printers Ltd, Norway Road, Hilsea, Portsmouth T H E WIRE, APRIL 2003 105 EDITORIAL SOME STORIES IN THIS ISSUE….. I was delighted at the response I have had so far to the changes that we initiated in the February Royal Signals Junior Commanders Course – edition of The WIRE. I have lost Impressions from a Participant count of the number positive comments that have come in. It Cpl Cowley gives his impressions of the RSJCC. ‘It’s best to go shows that we are on the right on this with the attitude to pass it first time..’ he says. track. There were also a few See 20th Amd Bde HQ & Sig Sqn’s report on page 174. helpful ideas that I can use in the future. Thank you. Royal Signals Group Expedition to Chile Another change, which you will Members of 212 Sqn travelled via the Falklands to Chile for EX see in this issue, is the Guest REFUGIO DIAMOND, a ten-day adventurous training expedition. Editorial. I must come clean here LCpl Wignall describes the trip in 212 Sqn’s report on page 132. and admit that I have pinched this idea from The Craftsman. But I will take the idea further. Instead of A Squadron is Disbanded having contributions only from There were lumps in many throats of the remaining members 249 senior ranking officers, I intend to invite lower ranks as well. So if Sig Sqn (AMF(L)) who marched off after their disbandment parade you have a view you wish to express about the Corps or your at Bulford on 9 January. But the SOinC(A) and Comd, UK Element experiences in it, do please contact me. AMF(L) were there to see them off, and they had the In this edition’s Guest Editorial, MajGen Tony Boyle CB speaks of companionship of 18 veterans from the Sqn’s FARELF days in the the comradeship within the Corps family.