56 DIV (CITY OF LONDON SIGNALS) OCA

The Regiment originated in 1861 as the Tower Hamlets (East London Engineer Corps Volunteers). In the army reorganization of 1908, the Volunteer unit became 1^st London Divisional Engineers, Territorial Force with two field companies and one telegraph company. In 1911 the latter was redesignated 1^st London Divisional Signal Company. After the outbreak of the First World War the 1^st London Division was broken up to provide artillery and infantry contingents for other formations. The Divisional Signal Company, less its brigade sections, was then allotted to the 29^th Division, with which it served in Galllipoli and later on the Western Front. A second line company was raised for the 58^th (2/1^st London) Division, but when the 56^th (1/1^st London) Division was reformed in France in 1916, the company was transferred to it. At the end of the war all these units were disbanded.

In 1920 the original signal company was reformed and in 1921 became 56^th (1^st London) Divisional Signals TA. The HQ was at Atkins Road, Balham – and was to remain so for the next forty years. In 1935 when the 56^th Division merged with the 47^th (2^nd London) Division, the unit title changed to London Divisional Signals (City of London Signals) TA. Also in 1935 and as a spur to recruiting the unit raised a Despatch Rider Display Team. Most of the motor cycles were owned personally by team members as this was a condition of enlistment. The team was soon earning plaudits for its displays and in 1937 it replaced the Royal Signals Display Team at the Royal Tournament – a unique honour for a TA unit. Also in 1937, the unit title changed again, this time to 1^st (London) Motor Divisional Signals TA. In 1939, with the expansion of the TA, it raised a duplicate unit, the 2^nd (London) Motor Divisional Signals TA.

Later in 1939 the original unit raised the London Area Signal Company, which in 1940 was expanded into London District Signals. In 1940 1^st (London) Motor Division Signals was renamed 56^th (London) Divisional Signals. In 1943 it accompanied its division to the Mediterranean and until the end of the war was continually engaged in Italy.

16 May 1946

A general meeting was held at 88 Eccleston Square, London, chaired by Brig A C C Willway at which the idea of an OCA was discussed. The OCA would be formed for the purposes of re-unions and social functions to be held at Signal House, Atkins Road, Clapham Park and present serving or ex-member of 56 Div Signals would be eligible for membership.

25 September 1946

Inaugural meeting at Signal House at which it was decided that the OCA be called “City of London Signals OCA”.

14 October 1983

56 Division OCA Branch and City of London Signals OCA combined and the inaugural meeting of the “56 Division and City of London Signals OCA” held.

3 December 1986

Name changed to “56 Division (City of London Signals) OCA Branch” when the OCA became affiliated to the Royal Signals Association.

The OCA has maintained its links with the Regiment throughout all the reorganisations, the more important change being the formation of 31st (Greater London) Signal Regiment (V) in 1967 when its link was maintained with 83 (London) Signal Squadron based at Southfields, SW19. Since the demise of 31 Regiment in 2009, these links have been maintained with 831 Troop (see history). The 56 Div Memorial Rolls of Honour are hung on the wall of the RMR Barracks, 351 Merton Road, Southfields, London SW19, the main occupiers of which are currently the City of London Royal Marine Reserves. The OCA holds its AGM at the RMR Barracks.

MEMBERSHIP

Costs £7.00 per annum and is open to all  ex 56 Divisional Signals personnel and successor units and any other serving or ex-Royal Signals soldier.

CURRENT PERSONNEL

President - Maj (Ret'd) Jim Allan

Chairman - Maj (Ret'd) John Robson

Hon Secretary - Mr Steve Bland

Membership Secretary - John "Tommy" Thomas

Treasurer - David LeFebvre BEM

Contact: Secretary, 222 Wickham Road, Croydon, CR0 8BJ – Tel: 020 8656 9740 - email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ACTIVITIES

The OCA holds an annual dinner in November each year, usually at the Union Jack Club. Members also join in with the Clapham Branch of the Royal British Legion in a service at St John's Church, Clapham Common, every Remembrance Sunday (the Church with which 332 Signal Squadron was associated when the unit was based in Atkins Road from 1959 to 1967), followed by wreath laying at the 56 Div Memorials in RMR Barracks.  The AGM is held each March/April at the RMR Barracks.

The OCA issues 2 Newsletters each year to keep Members informed of events and carrying article/stories produced by Members.

Coming EVENTS

Annual Dinner

1 November 2013 - Annual Dinner at the Union Jack Club. The new RSA Chairman - Brig David Hargreaves - has been invited as our guest of honour.

Past Events

AGM

Was held on 7 April 2013 - AGM at RMR Barracks, Southfields.

Annual dinner 2012.

We held a very successful annual dinner at the Union Jack Club on Friday 23  November at which the Corps Colonel – Col Graham Norton - was our principal guest . We were also pleased to host Major Frazer Smith of the RMR. After a splendid meal the Corps Colonel gave a very entertaining talk and demonstrated his street cred by photographing the assembly on his ipad and transmitting it to Facebook – most impressive. The opportunity was also taken for the Corps Colonel to present our Chairman – Maj John Robson – with his RSA 50 year badge”.

Obituary

It is with great regret we announce the passing of one of our members SSgt Jack Mileham.

Read Obituary

The Royal Signals Motorcycle Display Team

The White Helmets under the command of Captain J Turner, Royal Signals. Including 10 members of the 1937 display team (average age 71) making a guest appearance. Royal Tournament, Earls Court, July 1987.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PM6dPWJ79JY&feature=player_embedded

• Roy Castle Roy Castle
• Record Breakers Record Breakers
• Royal Tournament Royal Tournament
• Noel Edmunds Noel Edmunds
• White Helmets 1987 White Helmets 1987
•  

• 332 Sig Sqn 332 Sig Sqn
•  

Standard Bearer

George Brown, our Standard Bearer.