Corps History

Background

Australia has the unique distinction of having had the first regular formed signal unit in the whole of the British Commonwealth.

In 1869 there existed in New South Wales and Victoria two small 'Torpedo and Signal Corps'. These continued until 1882, when they were disbanded. In 1885 a 'Signalling Corps' composed of one officer and 12 other ranks existed in South Australia and remained active until 1901.

Before the advent of self-contained signal units the complement of signallers was on a regimental basis, each unit having on its establishment a proportion of regimental signallers. Great attention was paid to the training of these personnel; prizes and badges were awarded to those qualifying at what was known as a signalling school. Instruction was imparted by a staff officer designated 'Inspector of Signalling'. After the inception of the Commonwealth Forces an 'Australian Corps of Signallers' was formed on 12th January 1906.

The Corps then consisted of 11 Companies, which were located as follows:

Sydney 1
Perth 1
Newcastle 1
Fremantle 1
Melbourne 2
Hobart 1
Brisbane 2
Launceston 1
Adelaide 1

The Corps remained as a self-contained unit until the introduction of universal training in 1911, when it merged with the Australian Engineers.

In 1912, signal troops and companies formed a portion of the Corps of Australian Engineers and were known by such names as '15th Engr (SIG Tp) or '23rd Engr SIG Coy (Engr)'. These designations were retained until 1916, when the term (AE) was substituted for (Engrs) in the title.

This continued until the divisional organisation was introduced in 1921, when the term 'Cac Div SIGs' and 'Div SIGs' were introduced for the first time. Coincident with this change in nomenclature, all signal units separated from the Australian Corps of Engineers and in 1925 the Australian Corps of Signals came into being.

Thus began the evolution of the 'Australian Corps of Signals', which reached a total strength of 24,000 all ranks in the Second World War, 1939-1945

Birthday of the Corps

RA Sigs regard 12th January 1906, the date on which raising instructions and the establishment for the 'Australian Corps of Signallers' were promulgated, as the birthday of the Corps

Corps Day

On the 10th of November 1948 His Majesty, King George VI conferred the title 'Royal' on the Australian Corps of Signals. This day is recognised as 'Corps Day' and commemorative functions are held as near as possible to the 10th of November each year.

Corps Motto

The Corps Motto is 'Certa Cito" and is translated as 'Swift and Sure', signifying the aim of the signal service - that communication be carried out with maximum speed and certainty.

Corps Colours

The Corps has two sets of colours, one utilised in battle (tactical colours) and one for domestic purposes.

TACTICAL COLOURS

White over Royal Blue. These colours are used for unit identification signs on vehicles, and the marking of communication centres and tactical installations. The white symbolises the white of the ribbons wound on the Caduceus of the god Hermes (the symbol of the messenger) and the blue represents the Royal Colours. These colours combined make a striking contrast, suitable for easy identification for tactical purposes.

DOMESTIC COLOURS

For all other purposes the colours of the Corps are:

Light Blue 3/7 of depth

over

Dark Blue 1/7 of depth

over

Dark Green 3/7 of depth


These colours represent the three media of communications, through air, over sea and over land.

Corps Flag and Pennant

The Corps Flag consists of the Corps Colours, in the ratios shown above with the domestic colours, flown horizontally. In the centre is the Corps Badge in gold (deep chrome yellow). The overall height of the badge should be half the breadth of the flag. Mercury faces the hoist. The Corps Flag may be flown by units as approved by the ceremonial Manual.

The Dispatch Rider

Up to the middle of the nineteenth century, the principle method of communication was undoubtedly the dispatch rider since even great battles like Waterloo were fought on fronts of three kilometres or less. Consequently the dashing and gallant ADC is an important and picturesque figure of those days. The Duke of Wellington gained great advantage from his mounted orderly officers, whose experience on the hunting field made them very quick across country.

Pheidippides

The prototype of dispatch riders was Pheidippides the Athenian, the swiftest runner in all Greece

Greece was engaged, in the sixth century BC, in a decisive struggle with the great oriental power of Persia. The victory of the latter would have been an overwhelming calamity to Western civilisation, but the small army of Greeks defeated the hordes of Persia at Marathon. It was desirable that the glad news be sent post-haste to Athens, 26 miles from the battlefield. Pheidippides was chosen and he made the journey with unheard of speed (and in full armour). So great had been his exertion that on delivering the message 'Rejoice, we have conquered', he fell dead.

Mercury

Pheidippides was the greatest dispatch rider - the modern marathon race has its title from his journey - yet the type and pattern of the true signalman is undoubtedly 'Mercury' or 'Hermes'.

Mercury was originally the Roman god of commerce and good fortune. When the Romans conquered Greece they adopted the god Hermes, and they, realising he had much in common with their own god of fortune, they brought him into their pantheon under the name of Mercurius.

Mercury, or rather Hermes, is a versatile and lovable god. He is lord of the wise - of the power that brings good luck to man. Above all, he is the messenger of the gods, as his dress proclaims; on his head is the petasus, or felt hat worn by travellers; in his hand is the caduceus or herald's staff. This staff was the symbol of a message and was wound about with white ribbons, signifying peace; the intertwined serpents are a later interpretation of the same idea. The staff conferred immunity, that is, the bearer of the message was sacred. He is completed by his golden sandals, which are winged, denoting swiftness.

Mercury came into the Corps because his statuette was carried on the staff of the drum major of the telegraph battalion of the Royal Engineers. He is often referred to as 'Jimmy' and his badge is worn with pride as the reward of athletic prowess. Why ' Jimmy', however is not clearly known, however there are several theories which are discussed in the following article.

Details of Current Badge

The Corps Badge, approved in 1946, is described as:

' The figure of Mercury on a globe, the later supported above by a scroll bearing the motto "Certa Cito", and a boomerang below bearing the inscription "Australia". The whole is surmounted by a crown, detached. Mercury faces his right.'

The origins of the Royal Signals badge - 'Jimmy'

An interesting article, as outlined on the web site of the Royal Corps of Signals .

The cap badge is heraldically described as; "The figure of Mercury holding a Caduceus in the left hand, the right hand aloft poised with the left foot on a globe all silver above the globe a scroll inscribed 'Certa Cito' and below on each side six laurel leaves all gold, the whole ensigned with the Crown in gold."

But to every member of the Corps it is affectionately know as "JIMMY". So what are the origins of the badge and its name? Nobody can be exactly sure, but to believe the most widely accepted theories you must trace the history of communications units in the Army back to the formation, in 1870, of 'C' Telegraph Troop, Royal Engineers. The Troop served with distinction in the Ashanti and Zulu Wars and by 1884, because of the growth in communications requirements, it was decided to form 1st and 2nd Divisions of the 1st Telegraph Battalion, Royal Engineers.

Major CFC Beresford was the initial Commander of the 2nd Division and he was determined that it should have its own emblem (or 'device' as he called it). Although he had asked the Battalion for suggestions there was none better than his own, and so the figure of Mercury was adopted. It was first used in the Battalion magazine, Military Telegraph Bulletin, on 15 September 1884, and was also used on headed notepaper.

It is thought that the inspiration for Mercury came to Major Beresford from the statue of Mercury that his father had probably purchased at the Great Exhibition at Hyde Park in 1851. This had then been set up in his garden in Camberley. The statue was passed to the Royal Signals in 1977.

The new device was liked by the soldiers and so on 9 May 1891 Major Beresford and Lieutenant CJ Elkington RE presented a mace or 'bandstick' to the Band of the Battalion. The handsome bandstick had a figure of Mercury at the top. This was also passed to the Royal Signals at a later date and now resides together with the statue in the Corps Museum.

Mercury was never used by RE communicators as a badge. It was not until the 'Corps of Signals' was formed that the question of a badge came into being. Following the decision of King George V to grant the 'Royal' title the first cap badge of Mercury was approved on 24 March 1921. This was of the initial pattern with the oval band surrounding it. The Corps changed its style of badge in 1946 to that currently used. "Certa Cito", meaning "Swift and Sure", was also included at this stage.

There are a number of theories as to why "JIMMY" was adopted as a term of endearment for the emblem. The most widely accepted is that it came from a very popular Corps boxer, called Jimmy Emblem, who was an Army Champion in 1924 and represented the Corps from 1921 to 1929. It was certainly referred to as "JIMMY" in official correspondence in the early 1930's.

History of the Princess Royal - Colonel in Chief of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals

HRH the Princess Mary, The Princess Royal, CI, GCVO, GBE, RRC, TD, DLC, LLD

The Colonel-in-Chief is a traditional appointment that stems from the days of old when a Lord of the land would raise and maintain a force of troops in the service of the sovereign.

In June 1937, Her Royal Highness the Princess Mary, The Princess Royal, CI, GCVO, GBE, RRC, TD, DLC, LLD, became the first Colonel-in-Chief of the Australian Signals Corps when, with the approval of His Majesty King George V, she accepted the appointment of Colonel-in-Chief. In 1965 Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal passed away.

To commemorate the memory of our Colonel-in-Chief a special slow march was composed by the Royal Signals Director of Music. The slow march is called 'Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal'

Appointment of HRH Princess Anne as the second Colonel-in-Chief, Royal Australian Signals

Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, LG, GCVO, was appointed the second Colonel-in-Chief, Royal Australian Corps of Signals on the 11th June 1977, after the position had been vacant for some twelve years. On the 13th June 1987, Princess Anne was granted the title of The Princess Royal. She is the current Colonel-in-Chief.

The Princess Royal

The Princess Anne Banner

The Princess Anne Banner

On 10 September 1980, approval was given by her Royal Highness Princess Anne; the RA Sigs Colonel-in-Chief, for the Corps to carry a banner bearing her Ciphor. The banner is to be known as "The Princess Anne Banner"

The banner was presented at a parade at Simpson Barracks on 29 November 1986, on behalf of Her Royal Highness by His Excellency The Governor General, The Right Honourable Sir Ninian Stephen, AK, GCMG, GCVO, KBE.

The banner and its accoutrements consist of the following: - the banner itself, an English Bely, tassel, crown, pike, two rifles, two bayonets, two scabbards, two swords, and two white leather belts.

The Commandant of the Defence Force School of Signals (previously School of Signals and Army Communications Training Centre) is the custodian of the banner and is responsible for its security and maintenance. The banner is permanently displayed in the foyer of the School when not being paraded on ceremonial occasions.

Banner Party with previous Deputy Head of Corps, LTCOL Alison Creagh, CSC and Corps RSM, WO1 Leanne Iseppi

MEMENTOS

The Commanding officer, School of Signals, is responsible for the safekeeping of the following mementos:

Princess Royal Salver

The Royal Australian Corps of Signals is affiliated with the British Army Royal Corps of Signals or under Royal Warrant of 5th August 1920. At the conclusion of the Second World War, 1939-45, Her Royal Highness, The Princess Mary, The Princess Royal, on behalf of the Royal Corps of Signals presented to a representative of the Australian Corps of Signals (then Major K.R. Colwill), a silver salver, as a memento of the splendid co-operation that has existed between the Royal Corps of Signals and the Australian Corps of Signals throughout the Second World War 1939-1945.

The Princess Royal Clock

The Princess Royal Clock was presented to the Colonel-in-Chief Royal Australian Corps of Signals, Her Royal Highness Princess Mary, The Princess Royal, in 1951, on behalf of the Corps by COL A.D. Molloy. Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal graciously entrusted the clock to the care of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals. For many years the clock was on display and in use in the office of the Chief Instructor School of Signals; it was the responsibility of the School of Signals Duty officer to wind the clock daily.

The Princess Royal Trophy

On 6 April 1940, His Excellency the Governor-general of Australia, Lord Gowrie, presented to the Australian Corps of Signals a trophy on behalf of Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal, Princess Mary who was our Colonel-in-Chief at the time.

2nd Cavalry Division, as winners of the annual competition for the year 1930-39, received the trophy on behalf of the Corps from Lord Gowrie.

The trophy is a silver statuette of Mercury (or Hermes) mounted on a wooden base.

The trophy was initially awarded for an annual competition between units of the Australian Corps of Signals. The competition was a practical signalling test of varying skills according to unit role between Signals units of the Citizen Military Forces (CMF)(now Army Reserve) although regular units with a CMF component could also compete.

The competition lapsed after 1967 and the winner in that year was 4 Signal regiment. In 1984, an unsuccessful attempt was made to resurrect the competition.

The trophy may be re-awarded in the future when a suitable competition, agreed by ARA, ARES and composite RASigs units, is initiated by the Corps Committee.

Currently the trophy is no longer competed for and is displayed in the foyer of the School of Signals.

CORPS PAINTINGS

These memorial Paintings are tokens of remembrance to those who were so closely associated with us and who have gone to a greater glory. When we in turn have all passed on they will remain a permanent witness of a grand fellowship.

** The two paintings that were dedicated were: "Signalman 1939-1945" and "Signals In Action 1914 - 1918"

The Tribute was given by Brigadier J.H. Thyler C.B.E., D.S.O.

The Tribute

'Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think of these things'

The story of the signal engineers in the First World War and the signalmen in the Second World War is one of striving and achievement, of courage and of sacrifice. Within visual distance of the School of Signals, the first signal engineer company was assembled and trained at Broadmeadows at the outbreak of war in 1914. Their exercises brought them through this area which is now the hub of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals. Some of the members of that first company are with us here today.

They sailed with the first convoy and were among the earliest to go ashore at Anzac Cove on the Gallipoli Peninsula. There, communications were the simple forms of line telegraphy and telephony supplemented by visual telegraphy and runners. There, the immaculate withdrawal from the peninsula was made possible by the courage and efficiency of our signals engineers.

Then to France, were in 1916 and 1917 communications were an agonising problem due to the constant destruction of cables by the stupendous concentration of artillery fire. There, in the mud of Flanders and the Somme, at Fromelles, Pozieres, Messines, Bullecourt and Passchendaele, our signal engineers maintained communications under conditions which demanded courage and endurance of the highest order.

Then the inspiring victories of 1918, when the signal expertise developed under the harsh conditions of the previous two years fully met the demands of tactical penetration and rapid movement.

Nor were conditions in Mesoporamia and Palestine less exacting; eighteen months in the extreme conditions of the desert, then, after the battles of Gaza and Beersheba, the advance on hard ground into Palestine and the ultimate defeat of the enemy. Again the efficiency developed during the desert campaign made possible effective communications to satisfy more mobile operations.

Our signal engineers in the First World War earned a grand reputation for efficiency and co-operation. They emerged from the War with a high morale and and esprit de corps developed during the most exacting type of active service.

After the War this spirit flowed into the Citizen military Forces. Many veterans served on with the citizen forces, exerting a continuing influence. The new generation of signalman was fathered, instructed and inspired by these experienced volunteers. Under their guidance junior leaders were prepared for the Second World War in which Australia was directly threatened, and a much heavier responsibility descended upon the Corps. First World War veterans shared this responsibility in the highest ranks.

Our Second World War signalman first distinguished themselves in the Middle East. The Libyan Desert, Greece, Tobruk, Syria and finally El Alamein were the initial testing grounds for the rapidly expanding Corps.

In Malaya the direct threat to Australia developed with terrifying rapidity. Here the orderly withdrawal of the army, under relentless enemy pressure, was assured by the calm efficiency of the signalmen. These same signalmen were in no small degree a stabilising element in prison camps, where morale was strengthened by secret wireless sets, cleverly contrived and cunningly concealed.

Then to New Guinea and the Islands, where the Japanese advance was halted and the long and arduous counter offensive commenced. The work of the Corps is epitomised by General Blamey* who, at the close of 1944, wrote;

'To those of us who know the almost insurmountable difficulties which the Corps has faced and overcome in conditions which are encountered both in desert and jungle warfare, it may be said that not once has the course of the operations in any theatre been delayed or diverted by lack of adequate signal services. Rather, may it be recorded that without this constant and never ending service, the task of the forces in bringing to a close the "fight for freedom" would be greatly handicapped.'

Nor must the work of the Australian Women's Army Service be overlooked. Its members gave grand service to the Corps throughout Australia.

General Blamey further wrote:

'This linking of the various headquarters and units by one group of men and women has created amongst themselves a camaraderie and understanding of the highest order and has earned them the respect and trust of all other Arms'

* Later Field Marshal Sir Thomas Blamey, G.B.E., K.C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., E.D.

The signal engineer of the First World War became the signalman of the Second World War, of korea, of Malaya and of Vietnam. There is no broken link, no gap in the succession, between the happy warrior of Broadmeadows and the recruit signalman today. That grand tradition, the tradition of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals, established by the loyalty and devotion to duty of the signal engineers of the First World War, perpetuated and strengthened by the signalmen of the Second World War, is still strong with those who serve in the Corps today. Ours is a grand heritage, rich in courage, in competence, and above all in sacrifice.

These are the virtues which are enshrined in the two memorial paintings which now will be dedicated **. Thus effect is given to the exhortation of St Paul:

'If there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think of these things'

To this school will come all ranks of the Corps from all parts of the Commonwealth. Now and in the future, as far as the mind may travel, signalman will pass through this foyer and before these memorials. From time to time their thoughts will turn to the paintings and their minds will absorb the message they convey, thus fulfilling the ennobling vision of immortality in the oration of Pericles to the Athenean Dead delivered 2,400 years ago:

' And so they gave their bodies to the Commonwealth and earned each for himself praise that will never die, and with it the most glorious of sepulchres, not that in which their mortal bodies are laid, but a house in the minds of men, where their glory remains fresh to stir to speech or to action as occasion arises.
' For the whole world is a sepulchre of famous men, and their story is not graven only on stones above their native earth but lives on far away, without visible symbol, woven into the stuff of other men's lives.'

Signals in Action

Painting by Ivor Hele

This painting 'Signals in Action 1914-1918' is dedicated to the men of the Signals Engineers who served during the 1914-1918 War in Egypt, on Gallipoli, in France, in Palestine and in Mesopotamia.

'And so they gave their bodies to the Commonwealth and earned each for himself praise that will never die, and with it the most glorious of sepulchres, not that in which their mortal bones are laid, but a house in the minds of men, where their glory remains fresh to stir to speech or to action as occasion arises'

HISTORY AND BACKGROUND OF PAINTING

The painting was painted by Ivor Hele in 1972. It was dedicated to the Royal Australian Corps of Signals on Sunday 25 June 1972

In France, early in the spring of 1917, the German armies in the River Somme area retired to the Hindenburg Line. The Australian divisions followed up and Bapaume was occupied without resistance.

The advance in the initial stages was fairly rapid and the Australians found themselves in open country not scarred by old trenches or shell holes; so open that, when the advance was held up and it was decided to attack Bullecourt, it was possible to use cable wagons freely to lay cable from the headquarters of divisions to supporting artillery brigades.

One such occasion is recorded where a six-horse cable wagon not only laid cable in the open, but at a hand gallop. The diary of the detachment commander written at the time reads

'I told the lead driver to follow me at the pace I set, and the sappers cut the line as we went past the signal station. As we crossed the rise I gave the order to gallop and set off. Before we's covered 200 yards Fritz had spotted us and opened on us with a field gun, but we were flat out by then and tore up the 900 yards we had to go to the artillery brigade. We slowed up to a walk as we came to the bank under cover, cut the cable and belted up the rise to the Ecoust-Beugnatre road. Damned if the Hun was not expecting us, for as soon as we came in sight again he opened up some more, but we beat him all the way as he was about 800 yards short all the time.'

This incident was selected as the theme for the painting. It demonstrates that in France, as in the Sinai Desert and in Palestine, line telegraphy and telephony were the basic means of communication, and that the horse and cable wagon played an important part in providing these communications.

The Signalman

Signals in the UN

Painting by Ken Mc Fadyen

BACKGROUND

When the painting was first requested, the only instructions delivered to the artist by (then) COL Gordon, DISIGS, were very specific. The painting was to feature an environment representing both the Western Sahara and Cambodia, and there were to be no weapons carried by the AS Soldiers. The artist disliked both of these instructions, and conceded only to the first. He successfully argued for the inclusion of the soldier's personal weapons.

The landscape that the artist decided upon was an open sun-baked dust-bowl, with a rugged mountain range in the distance. If you observe closely, as you follow the painting from left to right, the mountain range draws closer and becomes slightly greener. To the artist, the left side of the painting is closer to the Western Sahara, the right Cambodia. Both sides, however share a deeply red soil.

The painting ostentatiously depicts the same basic atmosphere as the other renowned painting "Vietnam". The artist is trying to show a sense of urgency, trying to capture the dynamics of the moment. He has used a similar moment in both paintings - just as an area is being set up, when a unit is deploying, as they are most vulnerable and most busy. The painting flows from left to right, as you see both male and female soldiers rapidly setting up equipment, and simultaneously loading equipment into the vehicle for deployment.

The Russian helicopters that feature prominently in the painting serve two functions. Firstly, they represent the lifeline support role that such aircraft fulfilled effectively throughout the UN Deployments. Secondly, the helicopter that is taking-off is kicking up the dust cloud that becomes pivotal to a deeper understanding of the painting.

SYMBOLISM

The artist has a deep faith. This becomes apparent when certain aspects of the painting are examined in detail. If you were to count the number of aerials on the radio equipment, and the number of weapons, you would come up with a multiple of seven. This is a deliberate reference to the Apocalypse of Saint John the Apostle, the last book in the bible.

The number seven relates to the number of churches of Asia Minor, to whom John addressed his letters (ergo communication). The relevance of the aerials and the weapons becomes interconnected, in the last chapter of the Apocalypse, it warns that any person who misuses the revelations in the book will be damned. The rifles are there as a poignant warning against the misuse of the aerials.

The symbolism goes even deeper still. The dust cloud kicked up by the Russian helicopter is meant to be a menacing form, that obscures direction and represents confusion. The point at which the light breaks through the cloud is actually the focal point of both the weapons and the aerials.

The light shines onto two soldiers in a group of children. The child being spoken to by the soldier on one knee shows apprehension, as if unsure about the soldiers intentions. This is shown to progress to the next soldier who has the trust of the children, and who is leading them towards the light, towards hope. The child on the left of the painting is shown to be destitute and lonely, away from the light. The artist was trying to show here both the contrast of what existed with or without hope, and the work the AS soldiers did to assist in the progression from one to the other.

RASigs has been involved in AS UN Multinational Peace-Keeping Operational deployments since 1947. Ken McFadyen created this painting as a tribute to the men and women of RASigs who participated in these deployments, and to their dedication and expertise in helping to rebuild oppressed nations. The painting is very technical, yet still contains meaning for any observer from any perspective, and thereby does credit to both the artist and the Corps.

Signals in Vietnam

Painting by Ken Mc Fadyen

BACKGROUND

During the withdrawal from Vietnam, the three RASigs units serving in the theatre banded together to create an RASigs Vietnam Memorial Project and Fund. The units (110 Signals Squadron, 104 Signals Squadron and 547 Signals Troop) made initial contributions totalling $2670. 110 Signals Squadron, which was thought at the time to be due for disbandment, made the largest contribution ($1790).

On the return of the three units to Australia, an outline charter was drawn up and a Canberra based committee formed. The initial chairman of the Committee, MAJ P.G. Wilkins, was the Officer Commanding 110 Signals Squadron at the time of withdrawal from Vietnam. The Committee was tasked to represent the interests of all members of the Corps who had served in the three units (and the direct predecessor units) in Vietnam. The charter was later expanded to include representation for all RASigs personnel who served in Vietnam in other appointments.

The initial objective of the Committee was to determine the type of memorial most preferred by the majority of the members of the Corps and then having made this determination to select an appropriate theme for the memorial. It was decided that these objectives would best be achieved by means of the competition.

The winners of the competition were:

LTCOL C.R.Hook
MAJ N.L. Horn
MAJ R.O. Cook
WO2 E.W. Millington

As a result of this competition, it was decided that the memorial was to be a painting following the tradition established by the First and Second World War paintings already held by the Corps and displayed at the School of Signals. Letters were sent to various artists seeking their interest and inviting them to prepare preliminary sketches for selection by the Committee. The Committee finally commissioned Mr Ken MacFadyen of Melbourne to complete the memorial painting.

Mr MacFadyen was head of the Art Department with ABC Channel 2 in Melbourne and served in Vietnam from 13 August 1967 to 12 March 1968 as Official War Artist. Most of his time in Vietnam was spent with the Task Force on Operations where he saw at first hand RASigs units under Operational conditions and this is reflected in his painting.

The theme for the painting was determined by the Committee and was to highlight a helicopter deployment into a Fire Support Base, with involvement of the ACV communications shelter of 104 Signals Squadron and the AN/MRC-69 radio relay shelter of 110 Signals Squadron.

Many hours of painstaking work has gone into the production of this painting. Two small sketches were first submitted and after agreement had been reached on basics, works began on the full size painting which measures 180cm by 120cm.

This remarkable and striking painting remains hung in the foyer of the Defence Force School of Signals and was dedicated by Brigadier K.P. Morel during RASigs Corps week 18 - 24 November 1979.

Corps Banner Presentation Painting

Painting by Ken McFayden

BACKGROUND OF PAINTING

On 10 September 1980, approval was given by her Royal Highness Princess Anne; the RASigs Colonel-In-Chief, for the Corps to carry a banner bearing her Ciphor. The banner is to be known as "The Princess Anne Banner".

The banner was presented at a parade at Simpson Barracks on 29 November 1986, on behalf of Her Royal Highness by his Excellency The Governor General, The Right Honourable Sir Ninian Stephen, AK, GCMG, GCVO, KBE.

The banner and its accoutrements consist of the following - the banner, an English Belt, tassel, crown, pike, two rifles, two bayonets, two scabbards, two swords, and two white leather belts.

The chief Instructor School of Signals is the custodian of the banner and is responsible for its security and maintenance. The banner is to be permanently displayed in the School of Signals when not being paraded on ceremonial occasions.

PREPARATION

Ken McFayden was approached by the School of Signals and asked to prepare a painting of the occasion of the presentation of The Princess Anne Banner.

Mr McFayden attended the ceremony so he could capture the feel and the surroundings of the presentation of the banner. He took many photos of the parade and ceremony in an endeavour to capture the exact moment of the handing over of the banner.

From the images of the photos he had taken and his own memory of the day Mr McFadyen went to work on a preliminary sketch. The Corps hierarchy was impressed with the sketch and Mr McFayden was then asked to go on and complete the painting. The preliminary sketch is now hanging in the RASigs Corps Directors Office.

THE ACTUAL PAINTING

The painting itself was painted on the highest quality canvas using the highest quality paints and took countless man hours to complete.

The painting is a very large one measuring eight or nine feet long and when completed it had to be transported to the School of Signals in an enormous crate in the back of a unimog. The painting was so large as the actual parade that took place on "Long Green", which is such a large area that no one photograph could capture what is captured by the artist in the painting.

The painting is structured from the foreground to the rear, and tries to capture the view from the crowd to the parade ground. Whilst the painting is so large the actual image of The Governor General handing over the banner is quite small. Some people felt that the actual image of the presentation was too small but the artists response to this is that there was a lot going on around the presentation, and he tried to capture everything that was going on which made up the whole event.

The feeling that the artist tries to capture in the painting is one of RASigs being a big family, and he expresses this by including images such as a young Corps member in the foreground with his wife and children. The artist also identifies the family image by attempting to include all elements of the signals family by including all the units of the Corps and to do this he actually had to use some "artistic licence" and plays around with the hollow square.

To include everything that he has the artist constructed the painting in the form of a giant abstract. He describes it like a microchip in the way that it is a series of many subtly coloured aquares that each include different images that make up the whole feel of the parade, even down to including representations of Signals such as the clouds and the antennas in the background.

The painting was presented in the early 1990's and is estimated to be worth around $60000 today. Although there is no monetary value for the history and value of the painting ,to the corps of signals

The Corps banner and presentation of it are very special to the Corps, it is a form of identification and somewhat of independence. Corps history is an important part of the development of the Corps. All members of the Corps should make an attempt to study and be conversant with Corps History, so they can be proud of what the Corps has done and what it will do in the future.

The painting "The Presentation of The RASigs Corps Banner" is an important piece of RASigs Corps history. By viewing the painting it allows all members of the Corps that were not present at the presentation of the banner to experience somewhat the momentous occasion.

CORPS IDENTITIES AND CORPS AWARDS

Captain Lionel Matthews, GC, MC

Captain L C Matthews GC, MC, 8th Division Signals, 2nd AIF. Captain Matthews was executed by the Japanese on 2 March 1944 for his part in the secret intelligence organisation run between Sandakan POW Camp and Sandakan town during 1942 and 1943. Matthews was posthumously awarded a George Cross for gallant and distinguished service whilst a POW at Sandakan. AWM059358

Captain L C Matthews GC, MC

After pre-war service in the RANVR and Militia CAPT Lionel Colin Matthews joined 8th Division Signals at Bathurst in 1940 where he raised E Section of that unit. He served with great distinction in the AIF during the Malayan Campaign throughout 1941 and until the fall of Singapore in February 1942.

He was awarded the Military Cross for his courage and determination to maintain cable communications under attack at Gemas and in operations on Singapore Island.

CAPT Matthews was held as a prisoner of war at Sandakan, Borneo between August 1942 and March 1944. During this period in captivity and at great peril to himself at all times, he personally directed an underground intelligence and escape organisation; arranged for the delivery of medical supplies, food and money for fellow prisoners; was instrumental in arranging a radio link to the outside world and the provision of a cache of weapons for future use by a resistance and insurrection movement. His great gallantry whilst in the gravest danger, his leadership, conduct and optimism were an inspiration to his fellow prisoners and members of the resistance organisation. After arrest by the secret police, he refused to divulge names or to implicate others despite brutal torture, beatings and starvation. He was executed by the Japanese on 2 March 1944. His brave and courageous conduct at all times upheld the highest tradition of an Australian officer.

In 1947 he was posthumously awarded the George Cross, which was the highest decoration awarded to a member of the Australian Signals Corps during World War II.

See the Reading section of this site for book information on Captain Matthews and Sandakan.

The Lionel Matthews Merit Award

Form of Award

CAPT Matthews' memory is perpetuated by the Lionel Matthews Merit Award, the display of his decorations and medals in the foyer of the School of Signals, a portrait which was unveiled on the fiftieth anniversary of his death and is on display in the foyer of the School of Signals, and by the naming of Matthews Close, Gowrie, ACT.

The Lionel Matthews Merit Award was established on 1 January 1966 for presentation to other ranks of the Corps for achievement on School of Signals courses, in honour of Captain Lionel Matthews GC, MC.

The Lionel Matthews Merit Award came into being as a result of a decision taken by the Corps Committee at the 1965 meeting. Prior to that date a Lionel Matthews Scholarship valued at $100 was awarded annually to children of serving and ex-members of the Corps. With the increasing number of more valuable scholarships becoming available, the Corps Committee reviewed the situation and decided that the aim would be better satisfied by introducing the Lionel Matthews Merit Award.

The award takes the form of a medallion depicting the Corps Badge on the abverse side and inscribed with the words 'LIONEL MATTHEWS MERIT AWARD'. The reverse side shows a laurel wreath and space for the presentation inscription. The presentation inscription will show the serial number and abbreviated title of the course, students regimental number and name. The date, recipients rank and name shall be placed on an Honour Board, donated by 8th Divisional Signals Association, on display in the foyer of the School of Signals.

The award shall only be made to an outstanding student on courses conducted at the School of Signals.

Factors taken into account when making the awards are to include:

* Examination results;

* Practical work;

* Conduct; and

* The general contribution by the student to the course as a whole.


The number of medallions awarded in any one year, January to December, will be governed by an expenditure limit of $100.

The J.I Williamson Memorial Award

The award was established on 1 January 1982 for presentation to officers of the Corps to:

Commemorate the memory and dedicated service of the late Major General J.I. Williamson, AO, OBE; and
Provide an incentive and a recognition of the merits of all-round student (both ARA and GRES) attending each Regimental Officer Advanced Course conducted at the School of Signals.
Background

Major General John Irvine Williamson, AO, OBE graduated from RMC Duntroon in 1946. After service in the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces, Japan, he returned to Australia in 1948 to complete his studies for a Bachelor of Science Degree at the University of Queensland. In 1950 he was promoted to Captain and was attached to the Australian Observer Unit, Malaya in 1952. On his return he served as an instructor at the School of Signals prior to attending the Royal Military College of Science in the United Kingdom in 1955. He was promoted to Major in 1956, Lieutenant Colonel in 1962, and Colonel in 1969 when he was appointed Director of Signals in Army Headquarters. During this period he graduated from the Australian Staff College and held a number of command and staff appointments including service on the staff of the Australian Military Attache, in Washington DC. In 1972 he was promoted Brigadier and appointed Commander Puckapunyal Area. This was followed by attendance at the National Defence College in Canada and senior staff appointments in Army Headquarters, Canberra.

In 1975 he was promoted to Major General in which rank he held appointments as Chief of Operations, Deputy Chief of the General Staff and General Officer Commanding Field Force Command. He was made an officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 1972 and an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1979. He died at his home at Victoria Barracks, Sydney on 5th July 1980.

General Williamson was destined to serve the nation in positions of great responsibility. A well known and greatly respected member of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals he was a man of dedication, loyalty, determination and drive. He was a man as big in spirit as he was tall in stature. His was a very distinguished career in the profession of arms. he rendered outstanding service that reflected great credit upon himself, his Corps and the Australian Army.

Form of Award

The award takes the form of a 'Mercury' statuette inscribed with 'J.I. Williamson Memorial Award'. The inscription also shows the serial number and abbreviated title of the course, students regimental number, rank and name. The date, recipients rank and name shall be placed on an Honour Board, which was donated by Royal Signals, on display in the foyer of the School of Signals.

The award is intended for presentation to the most outstanding student of each Regimental Officer Advanced Course (ROAC) conducted at the School of Signals. When GRES students participate in this course, two awards may be made, one for ARA and one for GRES.

Factors taken into account when choosing the recipients of the award are to include:

* Knowledge and understanding of communications technology, tactics and principles;

* Ability to perceive, analyse and resolve problems; in particular communications related problems;

* Planning and management of communication resources to meet operational requirements;

* Oral and written skills;

* Professionalism; and

* Practical application of skill and knowledge

The A.D. Molloy Award

The award was established on 15 August 1983 for presentation to officers of the Corps to:

Commemorate the memory and dedicated service of the late Brigadier A.D. Molloy; and
Provide an incentive and a recognition of the merits of the officer achieving the best result on each Telecommunications System Management (Military Module) Course. With the replacement of the Telecommunications Systems Management Course by the Regimental Operations Course (ROC) the A D Molloy award is now presented to the outstanding trainee on the ROC (Technical) module
Background

Brigadier Archie David Molloy graduated as a Lieutenant Aust Staff Corps in 1930. He served as a young officer on the Indian North West Frontier during 1934-35. In October 1939 at the rank of Captain he was employed as a Signals Staff Officer with the Directorate of Mechanisation that was raised as part of the Army Headquarters Ordinance Branch. There was no provision for a Signals Directorate therefore many of those responsibilities rested with Captain Molloy and other Signals officers.

In 1941 Operation "Crusader" was launched by the British Eighth Army in an attempt to relieve the beleaguered defenders of Tobruk and to drive the enemy from Cyrenaica. This operation utilised Army Air Support Control for the first time and saw the deployment of 2/1st Australian Air Support Control under command of the then Major A.D. Molloy.

During the course of the Operation MAJ Molloy was captured by General Ravenstein's 21 Panzer Division. He was held captive for 12 days and was interrogated by both Ravenstein and Rommel. His eventual escape was aided by another Signals Officer CAPT A.P. Fleming and a group of New Zealanders. They were reunited with the Eighth Army at the Libya/Egypt border. Soon after they saw the enemy withdraw.

Brigadier Molloy was later to succeed Major General Simpson CBE, MC, VD as SO in C in 1946. This appointment was designated Director of Signals in 1947 and was occupied by him until 1952. During his appointment Brigadier Molloy was instrumental in establishing selection criteria for the Special Wireless Group of operators which later saw the establishment of this groups home at Cabarlah and redesignated as 101 Wireless Regiment.

In addition to serving the Corps as Director, Brigadier Molloy served in Washington as the Military Attache 1952 to 1954, Comd 6 MD 1954 to 1955 and as ADC to HM The Queen in 1959. He also held the appointment of Colonel Commandant for RASigs in 3 MD during the period 1972 to 1974.

Form of Award

The award takes the form of a suitable publication not exceeding the value of $50, and inscribed 'A.D. Molloy Memorial Award'. The inscription is to show the serial number and abbreviated title of the course, the students regimental number, rank and name. The year of the award, the recipients rank and name are to be entered on to an Honour Board, donated by the Corps Committee, on display in the foyer of the School of Signals.

The award is intended for presentation to the most outstanding student of each Regimental Operations Course (Technical Module),(ROC(T))

Factors taken into account when choosing the recipients of the award are to include:

* Academic achievement,

* Application to the course, and

* Superior officer qualities to be demonstrated

The Lieutenant Colonel J.P.O'Brien, MC, DCM, MM & Bar, ISM Award

The Lieutenant Colonel J.P.O'Brien, MC, DCM, MM & Bar, ISM Award was established in October 2003 to be awarded to the Student of Honour on the Australian Regular Army Regimental Officer Basic Course, in memory of Lieutenant Colonel J.P.O'Brien, MC, DCM, MM & Bar, ISM.

The award is designed to provide an incentive and public recognition of deserving students.

Summary of Service

Born in New Zealand in 1892, John (Jack) Patrick O'Brien came to Australia as a lad and joined the Postmasters General's Department as a Linesman. He joined the AIF in February 1915 and served initially in the Signal Troop of 4th Light Horse Bde and later in the 2nd Div Sig Coy and 4th Div Sig coy. While on board HMT "Southland" approaching Gallipoli in September 1915 the ship was torpedoed, causing heavy loss of life and casualties amongst the Australians on board. This experience probably caused O'Brien to spend several periods in hospital while serving in Gallipoli.

O'Brien sailed for France in June 1916 and the citations listed below describe his outstanding bravery and devotion to duty while engaged on telephone line construction and maintenance.

O'Brien was promoted to Corporal in March 1916, Sergeant in April 1917, Warrant Officer Class 2 in October 1917, 2nd Lieutenant in November 1917 and Lieutenant in February 1918.

After WW1 he again joined the PMG until joining the 2nd AIF in August 1942, being promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and appointed Officer Commanding Northern area Anti-Aircraft and Fortress Signals. Returning to the PMG in 1945 he served with distinction until 1957 following which he received the Imperial Service Medal.

During WW1 only 6 solders were awarded the MC, DCM and MM. John Patrick O'Brien not only won these 3 decorations but also won a bar, to the MM and was mentioned in despatches. He died on 19 May 1974 being remembered by all who knew him as "Gentlemen Jack"

Detail of Citations for Lieutenant Colonel J.P.O'Brien, MC, DCM, MM & Bar, ISM Award

Military Medal

Commonwealth Gazette No 62. 19 April 1917

"For gallantry in the field related to the laying and maintenance of telephone cables under fire at Poziers on 4 October 1916."

Bar to the Military Medal

Commonwealth Gazette No 116. 25 July 1917

"For gallantry, between 14 November and 7 December 1916 with particular reference to the Deville Wood area." (near Flers).

Mentioned in Despatches

Commonwealth Gazette No 57. 18 April 1917

"For distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty in the field during the period 7 – 14 June 1917." (These services took place in Messines area).

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Commonwealth Gazette No 95. 27 June 1918

"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On the night of 28 – 29 September 1917, he assisted in the laying of a buried cable route; a large working party was on its way to the work when a hostile barrage commenced. He went out voluntarily through the barrage, met the party and conducted them to the work. He showed great determination through a very trying time and was largely responsible for successful completion of the work". (These events took place near Zonnebeke).

Recognition of Lieutenant O'Brien's outstanding service continued with the award of the Military Cross when, as Division Lines Officer, he supervised the communication lines during the extremely heavy fighting, particularly in the period March – April 1918.

Military Cross

Commonwealth Gazette No 185. 17 November 1918

"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty, he laid lines and maintained them under heavy shell fire. The lines from division to brigades were continually cut, but he remained in the open with his detachment, under heavy barrage, and maintained communication. He showed a fine example". (These acts of gallantry took place near the villages of Hehcourt and Lavieville, south-west of Albert).

It should be noted that all of this officer's awards were in respect to laying and maintaining telephone cable lines while under fire. Much of this heavy artillery fire necessitated the burying of the cable up to a depth of some six feet (1.83m). All of the recommendations made in respect to this brave conduct were confirmed by higher authority, with most of the recommendations being made by the Officer Commanding 4 Division Signal Company, Major J.E. Fraser, himself a recipient of the Distinguished Service Order.

Form of Award

This award replaces the Amalgamated Wireless Australasia Limited Award (AWA Award) and is to be awarded to the student of honour (including Overseas Students) on the ROBC. The Award takes the form of a personal memento of the award, such as a book prize, suitably inscribed, to the value of $50.

In addition the recipients details are be placed on the honour board which hangs in the Advanced Training Wing. The honour board is to record the year, rank, and name of the recipient.

The factors taken into consideration when selecting recipients of the award include;

* Exam results in the academic aspects of the course,

* Demonstrated application of communications and management principals, and

* The standard of conduct as an officer student on the course.

The Officer Commanding/Senior Instructor Advanced Training Wing and the Commandant of the Defence Force School of Signals will determine the recipient of the Award or will determine if no award is to be made.

Corps Marches

History of the RA Sigs Slow and Quick March

Most British regimental marches have a story behind their selection for the particular regiment. A story concerning the selection of the RA Sigs march has been perpetuated and, although no foundation can be found to substantiate it, it is at least appropriate.

Signals are invariably associated with commanders of units or Army formations. The mere fact of their close association with senior officers and the problems of providing them with good communications when required, naturally makes the signalman a worried man. The signalman allegedly drops his cares and worries as he marches on parade to the tune of his regimental march.

RA Sigs Slow March

The Regimental Slow-March of RA Sigs is "Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal'. This is a special march composed by the Royal Signals Director of Music in honor of the then Colonel-in-Chief, the late Princess Mary.

RA Sigs Quick March

The Regimental Quick-March of RA Sigs is a combination of the old English traditional air 'Begone Dull Care' and the Australian folk song, 'Click go the shears'. Thus the affiliation between Royal Signals, whose march is 'Begone Dull Care' and RA Sigs is perpetuated.

Assorted Corps History stories

The Anglesea Cannon - making history

Read the attached document for the story of a small wooden cannon that has an incredible history of travel – even being taken to war zones.

The cannon has since been located at RAAF Base Williamtown (near Newcastle)!

Missing notice for the Anglesea Cannon

History Links

Australian War Memorial

The Australian War Memorial website is located here . This is a useful site for researching family history and essays. The site is also useful to enhance military knowledge and for general interest.

Australian's at War

The Australian's at War website is supported by the Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs. The site can be reached here and is a useful starting point for researching topics to enhance general military knowledge and assist with writing essays. The site also has a feature to assist with writing a military family tree and researching your family tree further.

Australia at War

Australia at War is a different website, with a similar name to that above. This site can be reached here . This site also has interesting historical military information and stories, plus geneology links. Mr Peter Dunn manages this website and is interested in gathering historical information on people and disbanded units.

Macleod Avenue of Honour

The Macleod Avenue of Honour Memorial was unveiled by COLONEL O'DAY, Commander of Simpson Barracks, on behalf of the community and
present day serving men and women. There is a Website located here which has a transcript and photos of the day.