11th Signal and West Midlands Brigade
11th Signal and West Midlands Brigade | |
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Active | 2014–present as brigade/RPOC hybrid |
Country | ![]() |
Branch | ![]() |
Type | Communications brigade and regional point of command |
Size | Brigade |
Part of | 3rd UK Division |
Garrison/HQ | Venning Barracks, Donnington, Shropshire, England. |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Brigadier Alexander J. Smith |
The 11th Signal and West Midlands Brigade is a signal formation of the British Army's 3rd UK Division.[1] Its headquarters is located at Venning Barracks, in Donnington in Shropshire.
History
The brigade was formed as 11th Signal Group in Liverpool in 1967. It became 11th Signal Brigade in 1982 and was redesignated 11th (ARRC) Signal Brigade in 1992 and reverted to 11th Signal Brigade in 1997.[2] In November 2014, in accordance with the Army 2020 reorganisation, 11th Signal Brigade amalgamated with 143 (West Midlands) Brigade to create a new formation, based at Venning Barracks in Donnington, named 11th Signal and West Midlands Brigade, with an additional role as a regional brigade for army regular and reserve units in the West Midlands counties. A formation parade took place at Donnington on 15 November 2014.[3]
Role
One of the brigade's responsibilities is to provide administrative support for around 8,000 Army personnel who are based in the region, as well as forming a vital link between the Army and its local communities.[4] The brigade has five Regular Army signal regiments and five Army Reserve signal regiments. Under Army 2020, it is the Regional Point of Command for the West Midlands.[5] In addition, it has command responsibilities for the Army Cadet Forces and some of the Army Reserve units in the region.[4]
Structure
11th Signal Brigade
The current operational structure of the brigade, which is based at Venning Barracks, Donnington (to move to Beacon Barracks, Stafford), is:[6][7]
- 10th Signal Regiment, Royal Corps of Signals, at Basil Hill Barracks, Corsham
- 81 Signal Squadron, in Corsham (Army Reserve)
- 32nd (Scottish) Signal Regiment, Royal Corps of Signals, HQ in Glasgow (Army Reserve – Apps/Data support, paired with 16 Signal Regiment in 1 (UK) Signal Brigade)
- 39th (Skinners) Signal Regiment, Royal Corps of Signals, HQ in Bristol (Army Reserve – Apps/Data support, paired with 22 Signal Regiment in 1 (UK) Signal Brigade)
- 7 Signal Group, at Venning Barracks, Donnington (to move to Kiwi Barracks, Bulford)
- 1st Signal Regiment, Royal Corps of Signals, at Beacon Barracks, Stafford (to move to Swinton Barracks, Perham Down to support 20th Armoured Infantry Brigade)
- 15th Signal Regiment, Royal Corps of Signals, at Blandford Camp (to move to Swinton Barracks, Perham Down to support 12th Armoured Infantry Brigade)
- 21st Signal Regiment, Royal Corps of Signals, at Azimghur Barracks, Colerne (to move to Catterick Garrison in 2020/21 to provide support to the Strike Brigade)
- 71st (City of London) Yeomanry Signal Regiment, Royal Corps of Signals, HQ in Bexleyheath (Army Reserve – Paired with 3 Signal Regiment under 3 (UK) Division)
Headquarters West Midlands
The brigade also administers Headquarters West Midlands.[8][9][10]
See also
References
- ^ "3rd UK Division". army.mod.uk. British Army. 16 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
- ^ Lord, Cliff (2014). The Royal Corps of Signals: Unit Histories of the Corps (1920-2001), and Its Antecedents. Helion & Co. p. 131. ISBN 978-1874622925.
- ^ "Flag is flying for new Army brigade". Shropshire Star. 17 November 2014. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
- ^ a b "HQ 11th Signal and West Midlands Brigade". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
- ^ "Flag raising at Telford barracks marks new Army brigade". BBC. 16 November 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
- ^ "Headquarters 11th Signal and West Midlands Brigade – Brigade Units". army.mod.uk. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
- ^ "Royal Corps of Signals Interactive Map". army.mod.uk. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
- ^ "HQ 11th Signal and West Midlands Brigade". www.army.mod.uk. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
- ^ "Cadet Forces". www.army.mod.uk. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
- ^ "British Army's Regional Commands across the United Kingdom" (PDF). Whatdotheyknow.com. 17 August 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 August 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.