Queen's Gurkha Signals
The Queen's Gurkha Signals (QGS) is a regular unit of Royal Corps of Signals, one of the combat support arms of British Army. Together with the Queen's Gurkha Engineers, the Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment, the Royal Gurkha Rifles, and a number of smaller support units, they form part of the Brigade of Gurkhas. QGS was formed during The Malayan Emergency to support the 17th Gurkha Division.
| Queen's Gurkha Signals | |
|---|---|
 Cap badge of the Queens Gurkha Signals | |
| Active | 1949 - Present |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Role | Combat support |
| Size | 5 Squadrons |
| Garrison/HQ | Malaya Hong Kong .svg.png.webp){kind=small} RHQ - Bramcote 246 Squadron - York 247 & 248 Squadron - Staffordshire 249 Squadron - Bulford 250 Squadron - Bramcote |
| Motto(s) | Certa Cito: Swift and Sure |
| Colors |  |
| March | Scotland the Brave |
| Anniversaries | Regimental Birthday 23 September |
| Commanders | |
| Colonel in Chief | HRH The Princess Royal, LG, LT, GCVO |
| Colonel of the Regiment | Brig JJ (Jon) Cole, OBE |
| Insignia | |
| Shoulder Flash |  |
| Tartan (Grant) |  |
| Abbreviation | QGS |
History
The history of Queen's Gurkha Signals dates back to 1911 when Gurkha Signallers were employed in the three Indian Corps of Sappers and Miners (Bombay, Bengal, and Madras).[1] It was not until the First World War the whole companies of Gurkha signallers existed within these three Corps. Eventually at the end of 1928 these corps were phased out of service due to an insufficient work force.[1]
The second Gurkha Signals unit was created during The Malayan Emergency. The unit was raised to support the Gurkha Infantry involved in battle against communist-sponsored guerilla organization Malayan Races Liberation Army. This unit was fully composed of Gurkhas unlike the previous incarnation. On 18 December 1959, the newly formed unit was christened 48th Gurkha Brigade Signal Squadron with its commander Major L H Gregory MBE.[1]
Titles of the regiment and its predecessor
As a part of Queen's Silver Jubilee celebrations 1977, the Regiment regained its Royal title, along with the Gurkha Engineers, becoming Queen's Gurkha Signals. The Royal title and Royal crown were officially adapted on 20 April 1977.[1] Titles of the regiment and its predecessor are as follows:[2]
- Gurkha Signals (1948–1949)
- Gurkha Royal Signals (1949–1954)
- Gurkha Signals (1954–1977)
- Queen's Gurkha Signals (1977–present)
Cap badge and colours
Cap badge
During its formation year all the men were titled Gurkha Royal Signals and wore the badge of the Royal Corps of Signals, 'Jimmy'. On 23 September 1954, Maj Gen LECM Perowne CBE presented the unit with their own cap badge and since that day the regiment celebrates its birthday on 23 September.[3]
By your badge men shall know you. By your loyalty, by your behaviour and by your technical skill, they will judge you as men and measure your efficiency as soldiers
On 21 April 1956 an honour was bestowed upon the Regiment when Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal presented her pipe banner to the Pipes and Drums.[1] Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal has continued to serve as the Colonel-in-Chief of QGS as she is of Royal Corps of Signals.[1]
Emblem
Two Khukuris point upwards, the hands crossed in saltire, the cutting edges of the blades inwards, between the blades the figure of Mercury on a globe, the latter supported above by a scroll bearing the motto 'Certa Cito' and below by nine laurel leaves, the whole surmounted by Saint Edward's Crown. The regiment were also given permission to adopt the Red Grant tartan and thus began affiliation with the Scottish Regiment.[1]
Structure
Active
The unit has five squadrons:[4][5]
- 246 Squadron - York
- 247 Squadron - Staffordshire
- 248 Squadron - Staffordshire
- 249 Squadron - Bulford
- 250 Squadron - Bramcote
See also
References
- "Queen's Gurkha Signals: History" (PDF). Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
- "Queen's Gurkha Signals". Regiments.org. Archived from the original on 25 February 2007. Retrieved 19 November 2017.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
- Warner, p. 331
- "Queen's Gurkha Signals". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
- "New Gurkha Signal Squadron". British Army. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
Bibliography
- Warner, Philip (1989). The Vital Link: The Story of Royal Signals 1945-1985. Pen & Sword. ISBN 978-0850528824.