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World War 2 Two II WW2 WWII

The Royal Corps of Signals



Cap Badge of the Royal Corps of Signals.


The Royal Corps of Signals was formed on 28 June 1920, evolving from the Royal Engineer Signals Service from 1908 who had evolved from The Telegraph Battalion, Royal Engineers formed in 1884.

Throughout World War Two, members of the Corps served in every theatre of war.
Companies during the Second World War.






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List of those who served with The Royal Corps of Signals during The Second World War



Sgt George William Cotter 54th Rgt Royal Signals

I am researching my late fathers time in the Royal Signals from May 1942 to March 1947. 54th Regiment. I have photos of him in Egypt I have no other info other than that. If anyone has any information regarding this time or can point me in any direction to find out more it would be much appreciated. Many thanks in anticipation.



Vincent Ralph Chambers Royal Signals

I am trying to locate any living relatives of Vincent Ralph Chambers who served with the Royal Signals in Leeds during World War II. I have letters that he wrote to my mother in America during 1942 and 1943. Thank you.



John Edward Eastman Royal Signals

I am trying to find out about my late father John Edward Eastman who served in the Royal Corp Signals during the last war in Sudan/Cairo/Egypt. He was presumed dead for not sending any letters/correspondence for around 6 months. He may have had a breakdown! I would like to know more (if possible) about what he did, where he was and what he did. He never spoke about the war to me.



Ernest Lidster Royal Signals (d.1999)

My father, Ernest Lidster, was a signal man in the Royal Signals. He was captured by the Germans on the 4/6/1940 at Lille, and he spent the rest of the war at Stalag 8B which I understand later became camp 344. He worked in the mines. He didn't speak much about his time there and when he did he got very upset, it had a very bad effect on him. He died in 1999 aged 80.

Does anyone remember him, I am trying to find out as much as I can and it would be nice to speak to any one who knew him.



Corporal Frank Ernest Mayle III Brigade 2 Signals Regiment / 9 Gurkha Regiment

I am researching the life and times of my late father-in-law. He was sent to Burma in 1943 or 1944 and joined the Chindits. He may have been a Corporal or an NCO with 2 Signals Regiment. He may have been part of the 111 Brigade and 9 Gurkha Regiment commanded by Brigadier J. Morris, landing during March 1944 at Chowringhee. I know of 3 other Corporals who may have been with him at the time: G Ewens, J.E. Kirke and H.M. Jones.

Can anyone help me retrace his steps during those horrible times in Burma fighting a Japanese soldiers who would rather die than surrender ?



Sgt. John Falkingham Royal Corps of Signals

Does anyone have any information on John Falkingham who was born in 1915? He may have been a journalist and served in the TA before WW2. He was a Sergeant in 1944 when he was a patient at Addenbrooke Hospital 1943/44. He recovered and went to France in April/May 1944 and "never came back." Whether that means he was killed in action or never contacted the reporter again, I do not know. Thanks for any help anyone can provide.



Ronald Walter "Wally" Walton Royal Corps of Signals

My father, Ronald Walter "Wally" Walton was in the Royal Corp of Signals. His hometown was Norwich, in Norfolk, England. He was captured in North Africa (Libya) in 1941 and imprisoned in Italy until 1943. He was then moved to Stalag 4B until the end of the war. He didn't tell us much about his experiences, but we know he taught electronics in the camp. If anyone knew my dad I would appreciate hearing from you. Sadly, he passed away in 1996, he was 78.



Sgm Allan Dewsnap Royal Signals Corps

My father, Sgm Allan Dewsnap 2586904 Royal Signals Corp, was a survivor of the sinking of the Lancastria, along with other Glossop soldiers, Thomas O. Booth (still alive), Leonard Dicks (still alive), Corporal William Bamforth (deceased), James Alfred Drabble (drowned on the ship).

I have spoken to Tom Booth and Len Dicks many times about the sinking. Tom always carries a photograph of the ship going down and at the stern in the water are six figures – Tom says that one is himself and the others are Len Dicks and my father. Unfortunately I can't remember who the other three are. Nor can I remember the newspaper that carried the article and photo.

Tom is not very well at the moment so I will have to wait awhile to see him. This morning I received my father's Lancastria Commemorative Medal and a very nice letter from the First Minister of Scotland the Rt Hon Alex Salmond MSP. I will keep it with my father's other campaign medals.



Henry Campbell (d.24th August 1946)

Henry Campbell from Glasgow served with Fitzroy McLean in the Royal Corps of Signals and died in Naples 24th August 1946. I am looking for information about him as a gift for my uncle's mother's 94th birthday (Campbell's sister). She is interested in why he was mentioned in dispatches.



Pte. Thomas Andrew " " Gray

I am doing research on my grandfather Thomas Andrew Gray who was captured at Calais in May 1940. I have just received information from the Red Cross showing the various camps he was held at which included by date, Stalag xxa,111a,111d,xxa,xxb and finally 111a again.



Cpl. Sydney Jack Newcombe Royal Signals

I would love to know something of my late father's involvement in WWII. Jack Newcombe was in North Africa,Sudan,Cairo,Alexandria,Khartoum,Egypt with the Royal Signals. I think he was a despatch rider. He told me next to nothing of the war and he died aged 59, before I was to become interested. I would be most grateful for any information.



Sgt George " " Hayward DSM, MID.



Mjr. Philip Segar Scorer MID, MC. Royal Signals



Arthur Smith Royal Signals

Arthur Smith joined the Royal Corps of Signals in 1940. He was in Cairo for his 21st birthday, Tobruk for his 22nd and a prisoner of war camp for his 23rd. Captivity in Libya and Bologna was followed by a Stalag in Poland which, unbeknown to the inmates, was within 15-20 miles of Auschwitz. 1945 saw the Russians advancing from the east and Arthur’s POWs were marched out ahead of them to criss-cross northern Germany for a thousand miles on foot, during which they saw Dresden go up in flames.

After the war ended, he went to live in the small village of Youlgrave in Derbyshire where he had four children with Vera Wilson. He is my Grandfather and I am keen learn more about his military career.



Cpl. N R Wilson Royal Signals

I've just brought a Royal Corps of Signals tunic and the owner, Cpl N. R. Wilson was part of the 7th Armoured Div. and I would like some information on him. All I have is his initials and surname and the badges on the arms, please can anyone help?



Signalman Robert " " Roy (d. 30th Aug 1945)

Unfortunately I know almost nothing about my Uncle Robert Roy, other than he died as a POW in Changi Singapore and is buried at Kranji Cemetery in Singapore. My son is currently in the far east and plans to visit the grave next week. If anybody has any info, we would be very interested.



Cpl. Kenneth Aubrey "Scottie" Wilkins Royal Signals

I am trying to put together my late fathers war history as like many others it was kept within. He was Cpl Kenneth Wilkins, known as Scottie. He enlisted in 1939 at the Barracks of the South Wales Borderers in Brecon, in 1942 he was moved to the Royal Corps of Signals and posted to the 8th army. He was in Egypt for 7 months then North Africa for 5 months until posted to Sicily and Italy, seeing service at Cassino with No 1 A.S.S.U. He was demobed at Villach in Austria in 1945. I do have a photo showing my father with two comrades possibly taken in Italy. I would like to know if any comrades might have memories they can share?



Private Roderick Murchison Royal Corps of Signals

My father,Roderick Murchison was a despatch rider with the Royal Signals during the war, I think at some time he was in Egypt, other than that I'm not very clear. what I am sure of was that he was stationed at Catterick after the war, also Richmond comes to mind. If anyone knows him or served with him any information would be greatly appreciated.



Signalman Albert Derbyshire Royal Corps of Signals (d.19th Jan 1945)

I would like to find any information regarding my Great Uncle, Signalman Albert Derbyshire 2584305. He was captured on 3/6/40 at St Omer and sent to Stalag XXA on 21/7/40 Prisoner No. 18781. He was transferred to Stalag XXB in Oct 41. He died on 19/1/45 and this is the part that hurts the family as we don`t know how. I thought that he possibly died on one of the forced marches but, reading some of the stories on this site it would seem he died before the marches began.



Signalman. Walter Keeling Royal Corps of Signals (d.Between 24th April & 2nd June 1940)

Walter Keeling was my husband's uncle. He died in France between 24-5-1940 and 2-6-1940 and is buried at Souvenir Cemetery, Longuenesse, St Omer. He was just 21 years old and had only been married for one week before being killed on returning to his regiment. We do not know if he died on the battlefield or in hospital? If anyone has any information regarding Walter Keeling, formerly from the village of Alton in Staffordshire we would like to hear from you. His wife was called Zilla and we have no knowledge of her whereabouts following Walter's death.

We intend to visit his grave, has anyone visited Souvenir Cemetery, Longuenesse, St Omer France?



Arthur Snaith Royal Signals

My father Arthur Snaith was with the Royal Signals, and I am trying to find out more about his army service but the MOD need his army number which I don't have. I know he was called up in 1941 and fought as a dispatch rider in Egypt with the 8th Army. He was injured and was moved to Syria, where I'm told he got to ride horses. He was demobbed in 1946 and I'm afraid that's all I know. He died in 1983 but I never found out how he was injured. I do know he gained 3 medals and if anyone can identify serving with him or know his service number, I would be most grateful.





I am searching for information about John Herbert Ridsdale (1908-1943), Lt. Royal Corps of Signals. Son of Rev. Harold Edgar Ridsdale. Educated St Paul's School,1922-27, worked Milk Marketing Board to 1939. He served in France, N. Africa and Italy. He died on 21 Dec. 1943 and is buried in Bone Military Cemetery, Annaba, Algeria. I do not know with which units he served. He was my mother's fiance and if anyone knew him or has information about the actions in which he might have served, I'd be most grateful to hear from you.



I am trying to find out any information on my late father Captain Walter John Keir Mitchell of the Royal Signals. He was at OCTU. Any information would be appreciated. He was also mentioned in Dispatches and had the Oak Leaves. Can anyone help Please?



My late dad John Alfred Plimmer, people also called him Jack during the later part of the second world war. (his initals were JAP was that was no good for a nick name) He was in the royal signals a driver maybe not sure, he was from Derby.

Also my uncle Stan also passed on Stanley Harrison was cook in Royal Engineers also from Derby became my uncle after the war.

Anything would be very helpfull, thankyou



I am looking for any information about my father, Ernest Gerrard, from Warrington Lancashire, who served in the Royal Corp of Signals in Burma during the 2nd World War. I am aware that he was a POW for several years. He survived, but never talked about his experiences. He died at the age of 63 in 1980. Thank you



My late father Charlie Reynolds, served in the Royal Signals and received the India Star. I am very keen to get some information on how long he was there and the part the Signals played. He was also in the desert for about 3yrs. He adored his time in the Army and although de-mobbed in 1946 he always talked about those times with pride.

If anyone from the Regiment knew my father or can shed some light on this campaign I would be very grateful.

Elaine Carver.








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