The Royal Corps of Signals

Lieutenant Douglas Harry Crittall MC, No.5 Indian Cipher Section att. 7th Indian Divisional Signals, Royal Corps of Signals.

Awarded Military Cross (Original recommendation crossed out).

On 6th Feb 1944 at HQ 7th Indian Division (Laung-Chaung - E.Mayu Range) this officer, who is normally employed on cipher duties shared with another officer, Lt. Mackay, the duty of holding a portion of the Signal area of the perimeter defence. At about 0545 hrs Div HQ was strongly attacked. Although engaged by LMG from several directions he remained completely cool and manned a Bren gun himself. He held his sector for five hours until ordered to withdraw.

Shortly before the withdrawal Lt Mackay was mortally wounded and Lt Crittall at considerable personal danger from mortar fire applied torniquets and organised a carrying party in an effort to evacuate Lt Mackay.

Later, in the Div Adm Box area, although wounded, he assisted in the organisation of the defence of the MDS.

Throughout he showed a complete personal disregard for danger.


LG 18.5.44

 

Signalman David Robertson MM, 4th Indian Divisonal Signals, attached to 5th Indian Infantry Brigade, The Royal Corps of Signals.

This Signalman displayed conspicuous courage and devotion to duty while in charge of a wireless set, during the attack on Camp Tumur West on 9th December, 1940.

At all times, under fire, he maintained communication thereby enabling control to be exercised over scattered units at a critical phase of the operation.

During an enemy counter-attack when his vehicle came under heavy fire, he left the set to his second operator and defended his vehicle with an entire disregard for his own personal safety.


LG 3.2.41

 

S/ Captain, WS/ Major, T/ Lieutenant Colonel Arthur John Maunsell Atthill OBE MBE, HQ 79th Armoured Division, The Royal Corps of Signals.

Previous Awards:
MiD 1.4.41
MBE 8.7.41

Awarded OBE.

This officer commanded 79 Armd Div Sigs from 10 Mar 44 to 11 Apr 45.

With resources considerably less than those of a normal Armoured Division he had to train for and meet communication problems quite unparallelled for such a minor formation. Frequently Bdes were hundreds of miles apart and the distances between the parts of my HQ were of the same order.

In spite of this, by his knowledge, foresight, and skill, as well as by the admirable training he had given to his Signals, and the excellent spirit with which he had inspired them, he maintained communication for me throughout the campaign in a manner which is beyond praise; often by inprovisations and resourcefulness which were quite exceptional.

A most able, efficient and ingenious Signal expert. I strongly recommend him for recognition.


LG 24.1.46

Written by Maj-Gen Sir P C S Hobbart KBE CB DSO MC, Commander 79th Armoured Division on 13.10.45.

 

No Citation Found

Gazetted 13.7.44

Also received a MID 6.4.44

 

Andy

Photo of the last name on this post, commemorated on Sevenoaks War Memorial Kent.

KYLE, FREDERICK
Rank:Corporal
Regiment/Service:Royal Corps of Signals
Age:40
Date of Death:12/10/1942
Service No:2597553
Additional information:Son of Frederick and Emily Kyle; husband of Mavis Helen Kyle, of Reigate, Surrey.
Grave/Memorial Reference:1. A. 10.Cemetery:DELHI WAR CEMETERY

118 KYLEF2597553- 12/10/1942ROYAL CORPS OF SIGNALS

 

Corporal (Acting Sergeant) Frederick Thomas Roberts MM, 4th Divisional Signals, Royal Corps of Signals.

Map Ref:- Italy Sheet No. 160.11 (888178)

Sgt. Roberts was responsible for laying lines in the Trocchio area and forwards. During the period May 11th / May 18th he spent on average five hours a day in th eopen repairing lines under shell fire and mortar fire. This was apart from the many hours repair work which had to be undertaken on lines which were not at the time under shell fire, and the time spent laying new lines.

In particular during the period 1550 hrs 12 May - 2355 13 May the line from Purple Sector Control to 99 Lt AA Regt. (874167) was constantly broken by shelling and mortar fire and Sgt. Roberts was employed for 21 hours on this line during this period. On one occasion fifty seven breaks were mended. This line was of the greatest importance as it provided the only communication to the regiment responsible for smoking the River Gari. In addition, during the day on 16 Apr Sgt. Roberts laid two lines from 10 Bde (894172) exchange across the river to the D.M.A. at 861178.

During the laying of these lines there was considerable shelling and mortaring and their construction was of great assistance in providing communication across the river both for Bdes and for the D.M.A.

During the whole of this period Sgt. Roberts working very long hours under very adverse conditions remained cheerful, tireless and a fine example to his men. His example did much to ensure good communication within his area of responsibility.


LG 26.10.44

 

52937 Captain Temporay Major James Blake Dalrymple MC, 11 Armoured Divisonal Signals, The Royal Corps of Signals.

During the period 1 Feb-30 Apr 45, this officer has frequently been engaged on Signal Recces in the immediate rear of the forward troops and very often under enemy fire and in close proximity to pockets of resistance. He has gone forward with complete disregard for personal risk in order to immobilise enemy civil comms in th eareas which have only just been occupied. Previous to the period under review, when Comd RA Sig Sqn invariably visited all the regts once a day whatever the tactical situation at the time. He has displayed devotion to duty and personal courage of a very high order.


LG 11.10.45

 

2584494 Signalman Reginald Walker Eaglesfield MM, 78 Divisional Signals, The Royal Corps of Signals.

Awarded Military Medal.


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Lance Corporal Claude Percival Ellis BEM, 5th (London) Corps Signals, The Royal Corps of Signals.

Awarded BEM.

Whilst the choice of any Despatch Rider is an invidious task in view of the excellent work put in by all Despatch Riders of the unit. L/Cpl Ellis CP in particular has been untiring in his efforts during this campaign, and by his riding ability and endurance has set a consistantly fine example to his fellow Despatch Riders.

On one occassion whilst he was conveying an LCV into the forward areas, the LCV struck a land-mine blowing it off the road and setting fire to it. L/Cpl Ellis helped the crew to get out of the vehicle, and rode on down the mined road to report and obtain help, and then returned down the same road to give assistance himself.



LG 23.9.43

 

Signalman Frederick Hussey MM, 42nd Divisional Signals, The Royal Corps of Signals.

Awarded MM

28th May 40 - 2nd June 40

Sigmn, Hussey F. was a wireless operator at Divisional HQ. Although his vehicle was shelled continuously by the enemy, he showed great courage and devotion to duty and continued at his post throughout the final stages of the operation.

Dated 11.7.40

 

SIGNALS' GIFT TO U.S. CORPS

A Bronze Mercury

Successful Fusion of Two Services

From our Special Correspondent Catterick Camp, Sept. 26

In the tasks of intergrating the various arms of the British and American armies, none more vital than that of Signals. Field-Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery has lately emphasized the point without signals all other arms would be unable to operate. It was of prime importance that confusion in signals should be eliminated from the moment the armed forces of the two countries were fused under one command.

The sucess achieved was commemorated here today when the Princess Royal as Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Corps of Signals, presented to representative officers of the Signal Corps of the United Staes Army a bronze statue of Mercury (The badge of the British Corps), which they will take with them to their signal school at Fort Monmouth. On behalf of the United States Signal Corps, Major-General Francis Lanahan, Jr., accepted the figure as a "Heartwarming reminder of very difficult tasks accomplished together."

General Lanahan later gave two examples. When St. Lo repeater station was captured it was found to have suffered severe damage from Allied bombing. The station was an essential part of the communications from the Brittany Coast to Paris. It was quickley repaired as a result of perfect Anglo-US co-operation by a team of 20 British and American officers and men. When General Bradley lost touch with the First and Ninth Armies during the battle of the "Bulge," the Germans having cut all Line Communication, the lines were restored in 12 hours by magnificent British-US team work.

The memento of all this which the Americans take back with them was found in Bologna by a Royal Signals unit, and duly liberated. It weighs 16 1/2 Cwt., and was known as "Jimmy" being the name by which the emblem of the Corps is customarily known.

Above article from The Times dated Thursday 27th September 1945 supplied by Dbf.

 

When I was doing my National Service attached to 30th Signal Regt (Trials) at Blandford, there was a big fuss made over a statue of a bear with a drum, this was delivered to Camp in a Bedford RL.
I was told that it was captured during WW2 and it was known as the Berlin Cable Bear or the Berlin Bear.

What was its significance, why had the Signals just got it ( I know they are slow) where is it now?