71 (Yeomanry) Signal Regiment
| 71 (City of London) Yeomanry Signal Regiment | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1969-present |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Army Reserve |
| Role | National Communications Support |
| Size | 4 squadrons |
| Part of | 11 Signal Brigade |
| Garrison/HQ | RHQ - Bexleyheath, Kent |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Lt Col J Picton |
71 (City of London) Yeomanry Signal Regiment is an Army Reserve regiment in the Royal Corps of Signals in the British Army. The regiment forms part of 11th Signal Brigade, providing military communications for national operations.
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The regiment was formed, after the reorganisation of the Territorial Army in 1969, to control several National Communications signal squadrons; it retains its links to the past, through the Yeomanry squadrons under its command.
RHQ was located in Bromley until 1987, when it moved to Bexleyheath. The HQ Squadron and 265 Support Squadron merged in 1970 and split again in 1987.
The role of the regiment was to provide Home Defence communications for the South East of England. In 1992, as a result of Options for Change, 70 (Essex Yeomanry) Signal Squadron was moved to 38 Signal Regiment, while 71 (City of London) Yeomanry Signal Regiment took command of 57 (County of Bristol) Signal Squadron. This less than optimal arrangement lasted until the TA restructuring of 1994 when 70 (Essex Yeomanry) Signal Squadron returned to 71 (City of London) Yeomanry Signal Regiment and 57 (County of Bristol) Signal Squadron moved onto 39 (Skinners) Signal Regiment.
In 1995, 94 (Berkshire Yeomanry) Signal Squadron was given an independent role in support of the Combat Service Support Group (Germany). They then ceased to be part of the regiment's order of battle.
In 2010, 70 (Essex Yeomanry) Signal Squadron was merged with 68 (Inns of Court and City Yeomanry) Signal Squadron to form 68 (Inns of Court & City and Essex Yeomanry) Signal Squadron.
2013-14 saw the structure of the regiment change, with the merger of 41 Signal Squadron and 47 Signal Squadron (formerly 83 Signal Squadron) to form the new entity, 31 Signal Squadron (taking on both the titles of the previous units), whilst the Chelmsford Troop of 68 Signal Squadron was transferred to the incoming 36 Signal Squadron (Colchester). The regiment title also changed, with reference to Volunteers being dropped.
The regiment comprises the following sub units:
- 265 (Kent and County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters)) Support Squadron [Bexleyheath]
- 31 (Middlesex Yeomanry and Princess Louise's Kensington) Signal Squadron [Uxbridge/Coulsdon/Kingston]
- 36 (Eastern) Signal Squadron [Colchester/Chelmsford]
- 68 (Inns of Court & City Yeomanry) Signal Squadron [City of London/Whipps Cross]
References
- 71 Y Sig Regt (V) - on British Army official website
