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Queen's Gurkha Signals
The Queen's Gurkha Signals (QG SIGNALS) is a regular unit of Royal Corps of Signals, one of the combat support arms of British Army. Together with the Queen's Gurkha Engineers, the Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment, the Royal Gurkha Rifles, and a number of smaller support units, they form part of the Brigade of Gurkhas. QGS was formed during The Malayan Emergency to support the 17th Gurkha Division. HistoryThe history of Queen's Gurkha Signals dates back to 1911 when Gurkha Signallers were employed in the three Indian Corps of Sappers and Miners (Bombay, Bengal, and Madras).[1] It was not until the First World War the whole companies of Gurkha signallers existed within these three Corps. Eventually at the end of 1928 these corps were phased out of service due to an insufficient work force.[1] The second Gurkha Signals unit was created during The Malayan Emergency. The unit was raised to support the Gurkha Infantry involved in battle against communist anti-colonial guerilla organization, the Malayan National Liberation Army. This unit was fully composed of Gurkhas unlike the previous incarnation. On 18 December 1959, the newly formed unit was christened 48th Gurkha Brigade Signal Squadron with its commander Major L H Gregory MBE.[1] Titles of the regiment and its predecessorAs a part of Queen's Silver Jubilee celebrations 1977, the Regiment regained its Royal title, along with the Gurkha Engineers, becoming Queen's Gurkha Signals. The Royal title and Royal crown were officially adapted on 20 April 1977.[1] Titles of the regiment and its predecessor are as follows:[2]
Cap badge and coloursCap badgeDuring its formation year all the men were titled Gurkha Royal Signals and wore the badge of the Royal Corps of Signals, 'Jimmy'. On 23 September 1954, Maj Gen LECM Perowne CBE presented the unit with their own cap badge and since that day the regiment celebrates its birthday on 23 September.[3]
On 21 April 1956 an honour was bestowed upon the Regiment when Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal presented her pipe banner to the Pipes and Drums.[1] Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal has continued to serve as the Colonel-in-Chief of QGS as she is of Royal Corps of Signals.[1] EmblemTwo Khukuris point upwards, the hands crossed in saltire, the cutting edges of the blades inwards, between the blades the figure of Mercury on a globe, the latter supported above by a scroll bearing the motto 'Certa Cito' and below by nine laurel leaves, the whole surmounted by Saint Edward's Crown. The regiment were also given permission to adopt the Red Grant tartan and thus began affiliation with the Scottish Regiment.[1] StructureActiveThe unit has six squadrons:[4][5]
See alsoReferences
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