The regiment was originally formed before
World War II during the expansion of British Army signals units. The unit provided communications for the island of
Cyprus but was disbanded shortly after 1963. In 1992, following the
Options for Change reforms, it was reformed to support HQ Northern Ireland and other units deployed during
Operation Banner.
World War Period Inter-war Before
World War II, the Egypt Signals unit was formed. It was tasked with providing communications and signals support for British Army units based in Egypt. Their area of responsibility was not limited to
Egypt itself, but included the following areas:
Mandatory Palestine,
Sudan, and
Cyprus. During this time, the unit was collectively known as Egypt Command Signals.
World War II In 1940, the regiment was based in
Cairo. Following Italy's entry in the war, the regiment's support ranged from providing signals and communications for units in
Cyprus,
Greece,
Macedonia,
the Balkans, and
Eastern Africa. After the
Options for Change reforms, the Regiment gained command of more signal squadrons. After the end of
Operation Banner in Northern Ireland, the Regiment was disbanded. On 30 September 2011, the Unified Systems Support Organisation (USSO), based in
Blandford Forum in
Dorset, By 2019 the Regimental HQ will move from its current location at
Blandford Camp to
Swinton Barracks in
Perham Down, thereby co-locating with the remainder of the regular units of
7th Signal Group. The remainder of the old Squadrons will reform as 13 Sig Regt, and remain based under a new Regimental HQ at
Blandford Camp. The Regiment under this reform is to re-organise and become a close support signals unit. The Regiment will support the
12th Armoured Infantry Brigade by 2020. == Structure ==