Joint Service Signal Unit, Cyprus

The 9th Signal Regiment (Radio) later Joint Services Signal Unit, Cyprus is a communications unit of the Royal Corps of Signals. The regiment was first formed to supply communications for the troops based in Palestine and Egypt but later provided communications for British Forces Cyprus.

9th Signal Regiment (Radio)
Joint Service Signal Unit, Cyprus
Active1917—1918
1920—1941
1946—Present
Country United Kingdom
Branch British Army
RoleElectronic intelligence gathering
SizeRegiment
Part ofBritish Forces Cyprus
Garrison/HQAyios Nikolaos Station
Nickname(s)JSSU (Cyprus)
EngagementsWorld War I
Palestine Revolt
World War II
Aden Emergency
Operation Tosca
WebsiteJoint Service Signal Unit

Today the regiment is a joint unit controlling not only army units, but also naval and air force signals groups. Following the Army 2020 Refine the regiment lost their naval communications unit and gained an army unit following the initial operations of Operation Shader.

History

World War I

In 1917 General Edmund Henry Hynman Allenby, 1st Viscount Allenby created a communications unit which would support his HQ and maintain communications with his units throughout the Sinai Desert. Upon formation the unit was manned by 11 Officers and other ranks attached to GHQ. During this time, the British Army in the midst of launching their, later very successful, Sinai and Palestine campaign. This unit became known collicually as the Wireless Company, Egypt and Palestine. By 1918, this company was re-organised into the 2nd Wireless Observation Group. During this time, the regiment took part in the Sinai and Palestine Campaign and helped Lawrence of Arabia and his Arabian allies during the Arab Revolt.[1][2]

Interwar

The history of the company gets somewhat confusing during the postwar years. This is because the 2nd Wireless Group was disbanded, and the Wireless Company was put into suspended animation. In 1923, following the 1920 formation of the Royal Corps of Signals, the Egypt Command Signals was formed. (See: 15 Signal Regiment). As part of this group, 2 Wireless Company was formed, this company was expanded from the former suspended Wireless Company. During this time, the company was based in Palestine. Throughout 1939 the Palestine Revolt was coming to an end when the company was helping the government to suppress the rebels.[2]

World War II

By 1939, the squadron was based in Sarafand, while the rest of the regiment was based in Egypt. During the entire war, the squadron spent their time in the Palestine and didn't see any overseas service. During the war the squadron was based in Al-Sarafand and manned the wireless interception section on behalf of the code breaking service based in Bletchey Park in London. In February 1941, the 2nd Special Wireless Group moved to Heliopolis and the company's role was taken over by this new group.[2][3]

Cold War

By 1946, the 2nd Wireless Company and 2nd Special Wireless Group were merged to form the new 2nd Special Wireless Regiment. In 1947, following the end of the British Mandate in Palestine, the regiment moved to Cyprus where it was renamed as the 2nd Wireless Regiment. After moving to Cyprus, the regiment assumed radio surveillance duties and were based in Famagusta. In 1956, the regiment formed a detachment on the Aden/Yemen Border as a result of the border crisis.[2][4]

In 1959, in accordance with the renaming of units within the Royal Corps of Signals, the regiment became the 9th Signal Regiment (Radio). In 1999 the regiment merged with 33 Signal Unit RAF thus becoming a joint service unit. Following this merger, the regiment was re-named as the Joint Services Signal Unit, Cyprus.[2][4] Before amalgamation, the regiment had the following structure;[2]

Modern-day

The regiment currently consists of the following;[5]

  • Regimental Headquarters
  • 234 Signal Squadron
  • 840 Signal Squadron RAF
  • Engineering Squadron
  • Support Squadron

Under the Army 2020 Refines, the regiment continues to provide communications between British Forces Cyprus and the United Kingdom and the rest of the world. The regiment also consists of some Royal Navy personnel.[6]

Battles and Campaigns

The regiment either directly or indirectly participated in the following battles;

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References
  1. Lord and Watson Page 227
  2. Lord and Watson Page 41
  3. Lord and Watson Page 242
  4. British Army Units from 1945
  5. Lord and Watson, Page 42
  6. Army 2020 Refine Order of Battle (Updated August 2019). (2019). [ebook] Available at: https://britisharmedforcesreview.files.wordpress.com/2019/08/army-2020-refine-orbat-6.pdf [Accessed 26 Aug. 2019].

Sources
  • Lord, Cliff, and Graham Watson. The Royal Corps of Signals Unit Histories of the Corps (1920-2001) and Its Antecedents. Helion and Company, 2003. ISBN 1874622922
  • “History of the Royal Signals.” Royal Signals Museum, https://www.royalsignalsmuseum.co.uk/corps-history/.
  • “British Army Units from 1945 On.” British Army Units from 1945 on - 22 Regiment, http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/royal-signals/regiments---major-units-2/22-regiment-2.html.
  • “Royal Signals.” The British Army, https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/royal-signals/.
  • "Joint Service Signal Unit" Joint Service Signal Unit (Ayios Nikolaos), http://www.army.mod.uk/royalsignals/JSSU_AN/index.html
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