Click here if you know of any ex-Corps members who have passed away.

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Born 22 March 1935, died 8 December 2023.

Duncan was a National Serviceman, 1953-1955.

Following basic training, Duncan was posted to 3 GHQ Signal Regiment, El Fayid, Egypt as a Linesman. A rather dangerous occupation with the risk of being shot at while working at the top of a telegraph pole.

Post National Service he and wife Rita migrated to Australia for him to take up a football contract. A rising interest in the game had led Australian clubs to recruit overseas players.

Always a keen militaryman he was a member of the Renactment Group of Newcastle, NSW. He also trained school cadets at a local Grammar School.

As a result of the granting of the GSM (Canal Zone) Medal in October 2003 he posted an entry in the Newcastle Herald paper advising ex-service personnel of this fact. This resulted in two other veterans, one from 3GHQ Signal Regiment who incidentially had never met Duncan, and the other, a member of the 1st Battalion, The Buffs (TEK) contacting him. The three formed a friendship in February 2004 and by February 2005 it was decided to form a group which they named: British Veterans Newcastle and Hunter, the largest single representation coming from nine members who had served in Egypt.

Duncan enjoyed an interesting career. May he Rest in Peace.

John died peacefully and pain free on 01/11/2005 after an 11 month battle with cancer. He was 50 yrs old. He served 19 years with the Corps.

He left a wife, Barbara, and two daughters who were his world, 3 granddaughters (and what would have been his first grandson). Sadly he died 7 weeks before he was born.

The world lost a diamond of a man. I lost my best friend and soul mate. How am I able to live with out you? Bxx

Gordon Hardaker, Junior Leaders Regiment, 35 years of service with the Royal Corps of Signals. Passed away 5th February 2021

Born 6th July 1945, died 8th November 2023.

Campbell signed up at the Army Recruiting Office in Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow in January 1963, aged 17. He made it by train to 11 Signal Regiment Catterick Camp, Yorkshire in early February during one of the coldest winters on record. He enjoyed the banter and took the training in his stride.

After initial training he moved to 24 Signal Regiment (Catterick) for Trade Training. Campbell decided to become a Radio Operator - the course was two months long and Campbell once again sailed through the course. He enjoyed his time in Catterick, frequently visiting the dance halls in Darlington and trying not to get done for under-aged drinking - happy days.

In August 1963 Campbell was posted to Germany. He also spent a lot of time in Libya in El Adam. British troops were there to protect King Idris and civilians from being overthrown by Colonol Gadaffi. Part of Libya had the Sahara, where he drove tanks and Land Rover Defenders over the dunes. He often met nomadic tribes people there (who he kept sweet with offerings of cigarettes). He would drive people to the airport who were called home for emergencies. He was also posted to Shoeburyness.

He marched at the funeral of Winston Churchill one cold January day. His battalion represented the Royal Corps of Signals.

He recalled his army days with great fondness and kept in touch his pals. He always looked forward to attending reunions and reminiscing.

He was well loved and will be missed greatly by friends, family and especially his three daughters Lynda, Claire and Fiona.

Eric died August 25th 2023 at Lymington New Forest Hospital.

He was born 18th May 1935 and lived in Highcliffe Christchurch, Steeple-Tyneham, Dorset and New Milton Hampshire. He enlisted in Bournemouth, Hants on 22 June 1953 and joined the Royal Signals at Catterick Camp. His army number was 22958641.

He served July 1953 at Harper Barracks, Ripon as a driver/electrician; 1954-1955 Lubbecke, Germany - peace keeping. On 26th June 1956 he transfered to the reserves. In 1956 he was called up for the Suez Crisis.

His army record states: He was honest, sober, trustworthy, able to organize and control other men, popular and had a correct attitude to his superiors.

He was much loved and is so missed by his wife of 62 years Rosemary(Rosy), and sons Clive, Richard, Deric and family.

Derek Brown, beloved husband, father, grandfather and greatgrandfather sadly passed away on 28th September 2023.

Ex Signalman, Derek served with the Royal Signals as a National Serviceman.

Rest in Peace

Jim died on the 27th May 2020.

After boy service he joined the Royal Signals and served in many countries including Germany, Northern Ireland, Norway, Persian Gulf and Africa. Leaving the regular army as a Sergeant in 1977.

He then went on to serve a further 15 years in the Territorial Army, 43 (WX) Signal Squadron (V), in Exeter and Bridgewater leaving as a Staff Sergeant in 1995.

Army No: 24094157. L/M 41971. Sergeant A (Tony) McGregor, DOB 01/09/1946, Served 9 years in the Corps, 1972-1981, in HQ Sqn 32 (Scottish) Sig Reg (V) as MT Sergeant.

Tony passed away suddenly on Wednesday 16th August 2023, in Glasgow Royal Infirmary. His funeral was on Thursday 24th August 2023 1.45pm, at Daldowie Crematorium, Uddingston, Glasgow.

We paraded our branch standard with 6 members in support of the family. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. May he rest in peace.

Passed away on 14th August 2023 in Queensland, Australia.

Dave was a Royal Australian Corps of Signals exchange Foreman of Signals. He was posted, with his family, to 4 Armd Div HQ&Sig Regt in Herford from Australia in the late 1980s.

Dave was a keen cricketer and golfer who, in his retirement to the Gold Coast in Queensland, would drive hundreds of km down the coast with his caravan to play in golf tournaments.

Dave died of a heart attack and had been bravely fighting cancer for some time.

It is with great sadness that I inform you that 23878781 John (Johnny) Barkworth passed away on Sunday 25 Jun 2023 after a brief illness.

John joined Boy Service in 1962, followed by service in 211 Sig Sqn (Minden), 261 Sig Sqn (Cyprus), 30 Sigs (Blandford), 22 Sigs (Lippstadt) ending up in 3 Div (Soest) before he left the service, and we moved back to the UK.

He then spent the rest of his working life at Felixstowe Dock before retiring to his garden and taking as many cruises as he and Mum could fit in.

Dad always looked fondly on his service, and he had enjoyed the reunions with old comrades until COVID put a temporary halt to them. He instilled a sense of duty into his sons, Brian (me) who went on to serve 25 years in the RE and David, who is 35 years and counting in the RAMC.

Vale John Barkworth

Certa Cito

Andy died on 12th May 2023: he had been suffering health issues due to diabetes, pneumonia and Covid-19 for some time.

Andy joined the army with me in November 1980 doing our basic training in 4 Troop, 8 Signal Regiment. We then met up again on our first posting to 22 Signal Regiment - Andy going to 1 Sqn and me to 2 Sqn.

I'm not sure where Andy served after Lippstadt as our careers took us in different directions.

RIP Andy

Dean passed away suddenly on the 23rd May 2023 aged 59.

He served in 22 Signal Regiment and in NI during the early/late 1980s before leaving the army and working for BT.

Sadly Steve passed away at the end of May 2023. A great character who represented the Corps at rugby throughout the 1970s and 80s.

He served in 14 Sigs then 30 Sigs if I remember correctly.

He will be greatly missed by family and friends. Steve always talked about his time and was always an ambassador for the badge.

Passed peacefully away at home on 30/05/23 aged 73.

Sgt Les Roles, army number 24060167, started at the Army Apprentice College, Harrogate, intake 65B. He began his army career in 14 Signal Regiment in 1968. He spent 9 years in the regulars, posted to Gloucester, Ascension Islands, SHAPE in Belgium, Oman and Rheindahlen, Germany.

In 1976 Les returned to the UK with his family and joined the TA serving in all of the troops within the 54th except Norwich. In 2002 at the age of 53 found himself doing two tours of the Balkans working in Banja Luka and Sipovo. On his return in 2003 he was offer a job working at Blandford by Capt Carr and ended up being there 18 months.

He finally left the TA in 2009 at 60 and at that time was part of the 54th in Cambridge.

He leaves behind his wife Pat and daughters Kathryn and Alison. My Dad was blessed with good health most of his life, only becoming unwell in his final 6 months or so. His passing has been a massive shock to his family and friends.

SSgt Ken Beale, my dad, served 40 years in Royal Corps of Signals. He passed away last year on 22 March 2022.

He spent quite a bit of time in Germany where I was born. His last posting in Germany was Rheindahlen (HQ 1BR Corps). In Dec 1979 he was posted to St George's Barracks where he ended his time in the army and worked for DWS at St George's.

I joined the Royal Signals myself but unfortunately only lasted a year.

With my dad being away a lot I can't say I really bonded with him until my mum passed away 8 years ago when we became a lot closer.

Miss you pops. You were proud to have been a member of the Royal Signals and we were proud of you. Certa Cito.

Dad passed away 17/05/23 aged 91.

SSsgt Harry Escott served with the Royal Signals from the late 1950s until 1976 when he took voluntary redundancy. He told me he joined as a regular at the time of National Service and regulars were disliked.

He served in Herford, Germany - I don't recall the unit [7 Sigs? - Mike G]- also in Saltau, 7th Armoured Brigade, a couple of postings to Harrogate then a TA unit in Chester which turned out to be his last posting.

Those who remember dad will remember his love of sport, especially athletics and coaching. He loved his time in the Royal Signals and had a story for every occasion.

Despite our fall outs and disagreement I will miss our chats about the military. I never had a posting where I didn't meet someone who new him.

In 1986 I was sent to the Falkland Islands where I worked at the HQ in Stanley. One morning I was coming out of the entrance and bumped into a Royal Navy officer. I apologised and saluted him. He returns the salute and notices my name tag and said, "Do you know a Harry Escott?" He remembered dad from a tour on an aircraft carrier in the 1960s.

I never met anyone who had a bad word about him.

Rest in peace pops. I'm so sorry we didn't sort our issues out. I will miss you.

Passed away 18 March 2023 after suffering a stroke before Xmas. Postings included 211 Sig Sqn, Minden.

In his later years Sammy studied for a law degree and used this to work for the Legal Aid service in Edinburgh.

RIP Sammy

Peacefully at home on Tuesday 18th April 2023, aged 92 years. Beloved husband of Frances, much loved dad to Kate, Fiona and Sue and treasured grandfather and great-grandfather.

Iain, who lived in Plumley, Cheshire in his latter years and formerly of Glasgow and Nottingham will be remembered with great love and affection by family and friends. Special thanks to East Cheshire District Nurses and Hospice at Home for all their care.

Funeral service at Plumley Methodist Church, Plumley on Thursday 4th May 2023 at 3pm. Family flowers only please.

Donations, if wished for the benefit of Royal British Legion or Alzheimer's Society and may be sent to George Bell Funeral Service, 49 Birches Lane, Lostock Green, CW9 7SN. Tel: 01606 42534.

The family have requested any anecdotes from Iain's career with 38 Signal Regiment be send to Ben Skipper at the email address shown below. These will be forwarded on accordingly.

It's with desperate sadness that my father W02 John Armstrong (ret) passed away peacefully on Saturday April 15th 2023 aged 82.

He joined boy service at 15 in 1955 and retired in 1981. He was proud to serve his country and had postings in Singapore, Hong Kong and three times in Germany. He also saw active service in Borneo.

He leaves behind two children, Jim and Angela.

Gone but never forgotten.

John was a National Serviceman, called up on 15th March 1956 and demobbed on 13th March 1958. He was known as Robin, as he came from Nottingham.

It seems he served with the Royal Corps of Signals attached to the 18th Army Group at Essen before serving with the London District Signal Group in Whitehall.

After demob he used his teleprinter skills at the Post Office before joining the sales team at BEA. This later became British Airways. He rose through the ranks to become a Senior Sales Executive with responsibility for Wales and central England.

Later in life he ran his own small catering business with his wife. In retirement he played golf (badly), and bowls (slightly better).

He is survived by his wife Jeanette, two daughters, five grand children, and seven great grandchildren. He sadly left us on Tuesday 28th March 2023.

2549772 WOII Derek Freeman (Smiler) passed away after a relatively short illness on 16th October 2010. He collapsed at home on his 60th wedding anniversary and, after tests in hospital, was found to be suffering from cancer.

He joined the Royal Signals in 1947 and served in Cyprus, Plymouth, Germany, Portsmouth, Hong Kong and Norway before he retired from the military after serving his 22 years.

His final job was working as a BIA at Carlton Barracks in Leeds.

My father, Sergeant John Trotter, 22559091, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday 16th February 2023 in the company of his wife Isobel.

Dad served in Luneburg and in Burma Camp (Accra), Gold Coast, Ghana. He was with the Royal Corps of Signals from 1951 until 1958.

In memory of Corporal Reginald Stanley Young who helped assembled the Bombe machine at Bletchley Park.

Reginald passed away on January 6th 2023 at Hall Grange near Croydon. His funeral will take place on Friday February 3rd 2023 at Shirley Methodist Church at 1145 hrs. RIP.

Sadly SSM Arthur Smith passed away on 31st December 2022.

I served under him at 7 Sigs (5 Sqn, Papa Trp) from the mid to late 1970s - a fine and fair gentleman.

RIP.

Colonel Alan Ripley passed away at home on the morning of Sunday, 15th January 2023, surrounded by his family, after a short illness.

A great friend to the Royal Signals family, Alan will be fondly remembered for his humour and generosity of time.

Alan's funeral service will take place at St Swithun's Church, 1 Church Lane, Long Bennington, Lincolnshire, NG23 5EU on 31 January 2023, at 13:30hrs.

Major [Retd] Bill Coxon, MBE, Royal Signals, passed away on 17th January 2023 in Spain.

He will be greatly missed by his family in Spain and Peterhead.