Unit Information

4th Combat Signals Regiment (108th Signals Squadron)

Unofficial 108 Signal Squadron site

108th Signal Squadron (108 Sig Sqn) provides communications along with information systems (CIS) and administrative support to 4th Brigade Headquarters, and its units, to enable effective command and control of the formation.

108 Sig Sqn does this via the provision of radio communications - encompassing Very High Frequency (VHF) and High Frequency (HF) networks that allow for, short-range and long-range, voice and data communications.

108 Sig Sqn also provides field communications in the form of line and Local Area Networks (LAN) to provide telephone, data and computer services to its subscribers, as well as secure massaging by electronic and hand-carriage means. 108 Sig Sqn also provides communication security advice (COMSEC) and frequency management for 4th Brigade units.

108 Sig Sqn in its role as 4th Combat Support Regiment (4 CSR) also provides Combat Services Support (CSS) to 4th Brigade Headquarters, as well as its traditional CIS role. The CSS role means that limited, but first port of call, logistic support in the form of transport, administrative, pay and technical support is provided by 108 Sig Sqn.

108th Signal Squadron, as a member of the Royal Australian Corp of Signals (RASIGS), also provides support and advice to units external of the 4th Brigade group based in the Southern Region of Australia.

The unit is co-located with Headquarters 4th Brigade at Simpson Barracks, Watsonia.

Unit History

1916 - 1939

The formation of the Australian Corps of Signallers was authorised from 1 January 1906. In July 1912 the designation of the Corps was changed to Australian Engineers (Signal Coy). 3 Div Sig Coy was formed concurrently with the Third Australian Division in Mar 1916.

The unit served in France from November 1916. In 1921 the Signals Engineer units were disbanded and from these new signal units were raised including 3 Div Sigs.

The unit was an Army Reserve unit between the two World Wars located at Sturt Street, South Melbourne and then Albert Park, South Melbourne.

1939 - 1948

At the outbreak of World War II in 1939 a detachment from 3 Div Sigs was called up for full time duty. The unit entered the war in 1943, in New Guinea.

4 Aust Inf Bde was one of the three brigades originally forming part of 3 Aust Div. The Signals Section that provided communications for 4 Bde was known as the 4 Bde Sig Section. The signalmen were actually members of 3 Aust Div Sigs and did their early training with their parent unit. A very strong bond was forged between 3 Aust Div Sigs and 4 Bde Sig Section during the years in New Guinea.

It is during this time the roles of 4 Bde Sig Sect and now 108 Sig Sqn is similar.

By the end of Jun 1947, AMF signals units in Australia had been issued with interim establishments designed to bridge the gap between cessation of war establishments and new establishments. 3 Div Sig Regt (CMF) was listed as part of the Director of Signals List of proposed designations for Signals units of the Post War Army, (SIB No. 26, 15 Feb 1948).

1948 - Present

108 Sig Sqn was raised as part of 3 Div Sig Regt in 1966, and was designated as a Task Force Signal Squadron. It was under command of 3 Div Sig Regt and tasked to support 4th Task Force.
In 1975 the Army Reserve was reorganised and 3 Div Sig Regt, along with other RASIGS CMF units were disbanded to comprise 108 Sig Sqn.

The unit was then required to support units in the 3rd Division.
On the 1st of July 1981 the unit was placed under command of Headquarters 4th Brigade. In April 1982 the unit was moved to Hamel Barracks, South Kensington. With the reorganisation of the Army in 1991, the 3rd Division was disbanded and the 4th Brigade was placed under command of the 2nd Division.

On the relocation of LFSU (formally 2 Sig Regt) from Watsonia to New South Wales in November 1995, 108 Sig Sqn was again relocated in January 1996 to Bougainville Lines, Simpson Barracks where it is currently located.

Lineage and Role

108 Sig Sqn lineage is linked to 3 Div Sig Regt, which was established from 1921 to 1975. 108 Sig Sqn was part of its establishment from 1966 till 1975.

The role of 108 Sig Sqn is similar to that provided by the 4 Bde Sig Section as part of 3 Div Sig Regt during World War II.

Members of 108 Sig Sqn have been on active duty as part of Peace Keeping and Peace Making tours. Examples of these are Malaya, Bougainville and East Timor.

108th Signals Squadron Colour patch