Hi all, My Great Grandfather qualified as an "Operator Signals" in 1934 and continued to serve in this capacity during the Second World War. He landed at Juno Beach on D-Day as a Sergeant with 1 Corps Signals and served in Europe with 1 Corps until the end of the war. I would like to understand more about his trade, role and responsibilities as Sergeant - I understand from my family he saw a great deal of action on his journey through Europe and was often attached to various Infantry units including 6 Airborne. Anyway, if any members could share their knowledge I would be very grateful. Kind regards GD
Operator Signals: In laymans terms signals are transmitted by wire, wireless or visual or sound. I would therefore assume that he was a radio operator if highly mobile or a telephone operator if in a Command Post. Telephone was very popular as it was a positive connection not subject to atmospheric interference. However it was subject to poor connections or interference due to local shellfire breaking up the wires. For example an artillery observer would used a field telephone to speak to his signals section nearby who would most likely transmit his message by radio to Divisional HQ's but the message might then disseminate to Corps HQ's via telephone cable. A popular device being a ten line telephone cable and exchange between Command Posts. Moderators This posting should be deleted as it is duplicated below
Operator Signals: Someone who transmits signals either by wire, wireless (Radio) flags or lights. Mobile signallers would use a radio, stationary Signallers in a Command Post would use a telephone. Telephones were most reliable as there was little atmospheric interference and were more secure but the wires suffered if they came under shell fire. For example an Artillery Observer (Officer) would use a Field Telephone to communicate with his signals section (usually commanded by a sergeant) who would in turn contact a Battery Command Post Officer by radio. They would probably contact other Battery Command Posts by telephone then Division HQ by Radio but Divisional HQ would probably contact all other HQ's by telephone via a ten line cable and exchange. thus reducing the chance of the enemy listening to conversations.
Operator (signaller) didn’t ring an immediate bell when I read it. Looking back at War Establishment tables for 1937-40 it does appear as one of the Trades on Divisional Signals. By 1941 it looks to have been largely replaced by the trade of Operator (wireless and line); there was also an operator (switchboard) and cipher operator that may have previously been included under the operator (signals) title. As noted above something like operator (wireless and line) describes a signaller working either a radio (wireless in WW2 British parlance) or field telephone. Corps Signals was a very large unit, mirroring Divisional Signals in some respects, with Signal Sections for Corps HQ use, plus various types of Section that were added dependent on the composition of the Corps. Knowing where your relative fitted in to such an organisation would probably need some more info from his service records. Gary
Within the Museum pages is a link to Corps history WW2. Within this page is a link to a short video clip to Signaller Training 1940. This shows the basic operator roles and the type of work that your Great Grandfather may have been involved in. Tim
My uncle was posted to 4 Air Formation Signals on 10 Line Section then trained in underground cables. They did all sorts, even repairing and extending a cable from Cairo to Mersa Matruh with stations for the LRDG to tap into through the Quatara Depression while the battle of Alamein raged to the north of them. They also ran a cable from Cairo to Jerusalem then went to Italy.
His brother was in the General Service Corps trained as a Signals Operator posted Burma with the South Lancs, 1st Wilts and 14th Army Signals. Ended up as an instructor at Army Signals School Poonah.
Thanks so much everyone for your informative responses. It may be of interest to hear that I have my Great Grandfathers service records from 1934 - 1966. Having gone back through them more carefully it is safe to say he was a "Wireless Operator". His trade is listed as "Operator Signals" but his Qualification is "Operator Wireless and Line". In 1941 he attended a month long Wireless Course of some sort (Screenshot attached). In the late 1950's he then applied for a Technical Storeman Course and his trade is listed as "Wireless Operator". Below is a transcript his movements during the Second World War: Returns from Palestine and is immediately posted - 27/12/1939 – Posted to 43rd Divisional Signals (Mere) 20/04/1939 – Operator O.S. BI 15/01/1940 – Promoted Acting Corporal 03/03/1940 – Attached 1st Depot Battalion Sigs - MT Course 07/04/1940 – Ceased to be attached 1st Depot Battalion Sigs 15/04/1940 – Granted War Substantive Rank Corporal 22/05/1940 – Promoted Acting Sergeant 22/08/1940 – Granted War Substantive rank Sergeant 13/01/1940 – Reduced to the ranks by FGCM (Took and Army vehicle and fuel without permission) 17/01/1940 – Posted to HQ East Norfolk Divisional Signals 18/06/1941 – Attached to 222 Infantry Brigade 18/06/1941 – Appointed Acting Unpaid Lance Corporal 13/08/1941 – Promoted Acting Unpaid Corporal 11/11/1941 – Unit renamed 76 Divisional Signals - Granted War Substantive Rank of Corporal 12/06/1942 – Promoted Paid Acting Sergeant 09/12/1942 – Granted War Substantive Rank of Sergeant 27/03/1943 – Posted to 79 Armoured Divisional Signals 24/06/1943 – Posted to 2 Corps Signals 10/10/1943 – Posted to 1 Corps Signals 04/06/1944 – Embarked UK 24/03/1945 – Attended No57 Senior Leaders Course 11/06/1945 – Posted to 12 Corps Signals 19/06/1945 – Disembarked UK 26/06/1945 – Redesigned 1 Airborne Corps Signals (Wentworth) 13/09/1945 – Posted to 6 Airborne Divisional Signals (Weybridge) 22/10/1945 – Disembarked Middle East With regards to his movements with 1 Corps Signals - There are no subunits listed which doesn't surprise me. Having read about and listened to 1 Corps Signals veterans, they were constantly being attached to any number of the units in the Corps, sometimes for as little as a day or two. Given 1 Corps was an International unit I have seen 1 Corps Sigs personnel being attached to the Poles and Timberwolves too.