36 (Eastern) Signal Regiment (36 Signal Regt) was a Territorial Army (TA) signal unit of the British Army's Royal Corps of Signals (RCS). The regiment was formed following the formation of the TAVR in 1967, and was disbanded in 2009 following a reorganisation in the RCS. Though not disbanded, the regiment continues its lineage as a squadron, with its own former squadrons forming troops within said squadron.
Formation
In 1967, a massive reorganisation of the British Army took place, whereas the Territorial Army (TA) and Army Emergency Reserve (AER) were merged and their strength more than halved. Within the Royal Corps of Signals (RCS), new signal regiments were formed with regional connections, and one of these new units was 36 (Eastern) Signal Regiment. The new regiment was formed following the amalgamation of several signal units based in the East of England; 44th (Home Counties), 45th (Essex), and 54th (East Anglian) Signal Regiments.
The new regiment's structure on formation was as follows:
36 (Eastern) Signal Regiment
Regimental Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, in Wanstead
44 (Cinque Ports) Signal Squadron, in Gillingham
Squadron Headquarters
746 Control Centre Signal Troop
747 Control Centre Signal Troop
748 Control Centre Signal Troop
818 Radio Relay Signal Troop
45 (Essex) Signal Squadron, in Wanstead
Squadron Headquarters
750 Control Centre Signal Troop, in Colchester
751 Control Centre Signal Troop, in Brentwood
752 Control Centre Signal Troop, in Ilford
817 Radio Relay Signal Troop
54 (East Anglian) Signal Squadron, in Cambridge
Squadron Headquarters
753 Control Centre Signal Troop
754 Control Centre Signal Troop, in Bedford
755 Control Centre Signal Troop, in Norwich
819 Radio Relay Signal Troop
36 Signal Regiment Light Aid Detachment (LAD), Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, in Newbury Park
The year the new regiment was formed, 12th Signal Group was formed up at Chelsea Barracks in London. 12 Group's task was to provide communications for logistics units in the Rear Combat Zone (RCZ) and Communications Zone (CommZ) British Army of the Rhine (BAOR). The specific task allotted to 36 Regiment was to provide the field communications for the logistics units in the Forward Maintenance Area (FMA), a sub area of the RCZ (the other being Rear Maintenance Area (RMA)), and to link Rear HQ 1 (BR) Corps into the Logistic Communications of the RCZ.
Reorganisation
In 1970, the regiment's organisation was altered when 818 Signal Troop was reorganised into two new troops, each one co-located with 45 and 54 Signal Squadrons, these two new troops were deemed 'Brick troops'. In 1985, 45 Signal Squadron moved to Colchester, while 752 Signal Troop consolidated there, and 751 Signal Troop remained in Brentwood.
In 1992, HQ squadron moved to Ilford, and in December 44 Sqn moved to Grays, while maintaining two troops remained in Southend-on-Sea. That same year, the radio relay troops were disbanded as part of the Options for Change, in addition to the regiment leaving the recently disbanded 12 Signal Group, and joining the expanded 2nd (National Communications) Signal Brigade. The Regiment disbanded the Radio Relay troops, and reorganised to 4 Euromux Communications troops per squadron, so as an example 54 Signal Squadron in Cambridge became:
Squadron Headquarters
754 Signal Troop, in Bedford
755 Signal Troop, in Norwich
756 Signal Troop, in Bedford
757 Signal Troop, in Cambridge
From 1987, the regiment was equipped with the EUROMUX signal system, and tasked with supporting the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps on mobilisation. By this time the regiment joined the 11th (Allied Rapid Reaction Corps) Signal Brigade, but was transferred to 12th Signal Group (V) by 2003.
Disbandment
In 2006, the regiment was reorganised in-line with the Future Army Structure programme. Under this reorganisation, 44 Sqn was disbanded while helping to form the new RHQ, and the squadrons reorganised;
On disbandment in 2009 the Regiment comprised: