Unit Information
8th Signals Regiment
The role of 8 Sig Regt is to provide the Communications and Administrative Support to the Commander 2nd Division and his staff for the Command and Control of his division.
- 8 Sig Regt is to provide specialist and supplementary CIS support to the formations of 2 Div
- Provision of CIS staff function to HQ 2 Div (providing CIS advice to COMD 2 Div and staff, and day-to-day, management of 2 Div CIS issues)
- Exercise of technical control over CIS training and equipment of 2 Div Sig units
- Provide advice & management on 2 Div CIS matters (as HQ 2 Div G6 Cell)
- Provide specified RRR pers & FE as directed by HQ 2 Div
- Provide admin spt to HQ 2 Div
- Coordinate GRes RASigs Trade Trg, Ex Balcombe Spirit, Jan & Jul (DFSS Melb) On behalf of 1 Div, 2 Div, LSF, SF and RFSU
- Provide specialist and supplementary CIS spt to 2 Div formations for conduct of trg;
- 108 Sig Sqn - Melbourne
- 109 Sig Sqn - Perth
- 142 Sig Sqn - Sydney
- 144 Sig Sqn - Adelaide
- 155 Sig Sqn - Sydney
- Hold 2 Div scarce comms equipment;
- Radio Relay
- Satellite
- Com Sec Monitoring
- BPT provide FE up to Sqn(-) in spt of 2 Div
- Supplement Bde CSR equipment & pers;
- Circuit Switch - Com Sec Monitoring
- Radio Relay - CNR
- Satellite - CRATT
- Fd LAN - Line & Switchboard
- Provide foster unit spt to 4 x AAC Units;
- Sydney Grammar School
- Waverley College
- 226 RCU Normanhurst
- 224 RCU Canberra
(Total 800 - 850 Cadets (10% of all Cadets in ER)
Unit History
Introduction
In 2003, the 8th Signal Regiment provides communications within, and administrative support to, HQ 2nd Division. The origins of the 8th Signal Regiment can be traced back to the 2nd Divisional Signal Company, which was raised in July 1915 in Egypt amidst WWI. The role of the unit in WWI was very similar to the role of the unit today.
The 2nd Divisional Signal Company
Upon raising, the Officer Commanding the 2nd Divisional Signal Company was Major R. H. Goold and Second-in-Command was Captain Stanley Waston, of 'Watson's Pier' fame. The company consisted of a HQ, signallers group, dispatch riders group and 4 sections, with 152 total number of personnel.
In August 1915, the 2nd Divisional Signal Company was deployed to Gallipoli in order to relieve the 1st Divisional Signal Company, until the withdrawal in December 1915. The 2nd Divisional Signal Company designed and executed a very successful communications plan for the Gallipoli withdrawal, and some of the last messages were kept by one signaller and recently donated to the Australian War Memorial.
Throughout the remainder of WWI, the 2nd Divisional Signal Company fought alongside 2nd Division units in many battles on the Western Front. During this time, the 2nd Divisional Signal Company adopted a chicken that would become the unit mascot, affectionately known as 'Jackie' or 'Jack'.
At the conclusion of WWI, the 2nd Divisional Signal Company had lost 56 members and there had been 100 medals awarded to its members with 10 bars to medals and 19 mention-in-dispatches. Major Stanley Watson was now the Officer Commanding and a highly decorated member of the unit. Upon return to Australia, the unit became 2nd Divisional Signal Regiment and the first Commanding Officer was LT-COL J. E. Fraser.
The 2nd Divisional Signal Regiment (1948 - 1966)
As part of 2nd Division, 2nd Divisional Signal Regiment was deployed during WWII as part of the defence of Sydney and in communications offices in Western Australia. Members of the unit were also deployed to New Britain for the provision of telecommunications between 9 Bde (southside) and 36 Bn (northside). Over the duration of WWII, the 2nd Divisional Signal Regiment lost five members. The Commanding Officer, LTCOL Allan Campbell, was awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire and a mention-in-dispatches. Four other members of the 2nd Divisional Signal Regiment were also awarded a mention-in-dispatches.
In 1959, 2nd Divisional Signal Regiment was the first to use the newly issued broadband telecommunications equipment on exercise. A B70 microwave circuit was established between Singleton, Wallsend and Karuah - these places were eight times the planning range for the sets.
The 8th Signal Regiment (1966 - present)
The unit has existed as the 8th Signal Regiment since January 1966, when it was the only CMF regiment in Eastern Command. It was disbanded in 1975 and re-raised on the 1st of December 1987. During the 12 year dormancy period, the unit was amalgamated into 142 Signal Squadron, who currently exists as part of HQ 5th Brigade.
Recent achievements of the 8th Signal Regiment include participation in the annual exercises for the 5th and 8th Brigades, and the co-ordination responsibilities of the bi-annual signallers trade courses camp, EX BALCOME SPIRIT. Selected members of the unit have recently deployed overseas as part of operations in Bougainville and Timor.
142 Signals Squadron
142 Signals Squadron History
142 Signal Squadron's origin is as a squadron of 8th Signal Regiment that was raised in 1970. In 1975, the Regiment was disbanded and replaced by 142 Signal Squadron. In 1987, after a review of the Army Reserve, 8th Signal Regiment was re-raised and 142 Signal Squadron was disbanded. In mid 1996, under A21, 8th Signal Regiment was tasked by LHQ to raise an independent signal squadron to support the 5th Brigade. As a result, 142 Signal Squadron was officially re-raised in February 1997.
The communications assets primarily came from two of 8th Signal Regiment's CIS squadrons. The two squadrons were re-located from Lidcombe and Penrith to Holsworthy Barracks with a Radio Task Troop raised in Newcastle. In addition, the Headquarters Company, 5th Brigade was relocated from Lidcombe to supply both the administrative elements of the Squadron and a defence platoon. On 21 February 1997, six officers and 31 other ranks began the task of making 142 Signal Squadron operational by the end of June 1997.
In 1997, the Squadron consolidated its re-raising and expansion with a successful Brigade AFX in Nov of that year. In 1998, the Squadron continued to expand and supported 5th Brigade's major activity for that year "Ex Ready Diamond". The Squadron supplied a COMMCEN, seven radio detachments and admin and logistic support to HQ 5th Brigade for the duration of that AFX.
In 1999, the Squadron was required to transfer the Radio Task Troop at Newcastle to HQ 8th Brigade to provide them with a communication asset and to assist them in the formation of their independent signal squadron to be known as
155 Signal Squadron. As compensation for transferring Radio Troop, 8th Signal Regiment provided personnel and four radio detachments from its CIS Squadron in Canberra.
The Squadron has continued to support HQ 5th Brigade since its re raising. In 2000, the Squadron provided a significant number of part time soldiers to the operational Search Battalion. The Squadron has also been able to provide a number of part time members to ADF operations in Bougainville.
On the afternoon of Wednesday 4th December 2002 disaster struck. Bushfires burnt though Holsworthy Barracks destroying several of the squadron's buildings, vehicles and vital assets. To members of the unit it seemed that they had lost everything they had been working for but in the true style of the Australian soldier, the unit pulled together and overcame all odds and started to rebuild what had been lost.
One of the buildings lost was the Malaya Club, which was the unit mess. This had a tremendous blow not only on the unit but also on personnel thoughout the army as it was regularly used by visiting courses, parades and units. The Malaya Club also contained all of the unit's memorabilia, the loss of which had a terrible impact on the unit morale.
Present and Future
142 Signal Squadron currently consists predominantly GRES personnel with a small number of ARA personnel who mainly work within HQ 5 Brigade. The unit still performs the same functions as it did when raised by providing communications and administrative support to HQ 5 Brigade. The unit is still recovering from the December 2002 bushfires while at the same time building towards the Brigade AFX in September 2003, where the OC and members of the unit are intending to show the rest of the Army that they are a well trained, willing and prepared force.