Royal Canadian Corps of Signals

The Royal Canadian Corps of Signals (RCCS or RC Sigs; French: Corps des transmissions royal du Canada, CTRC[2]) is a component within the Canadian Armed Forces' Communications and Electronics Branch, consisting of all members of that personnel branch who wear army uniform. Prior to 1968 it was a combat support corps of the Canadian Army.[3]

Royal Canadian Corps of Signals
Corps des transmissions royal du Canada  (French)
Active	1903–1968 2013–present
Country	Canada
Branch	Canadian Army
Type	Combat support
Role	Military communications
Size	Administrative corps
Part of	Communications and Electronics Branch
Garrison/HQ	CFB Kingston, Ontario
Motto(s)	Latin: Velox versutus vigilans, lit. 'Swift, skilled, alert'
Colors	Scarlet with black facings (mess dress)
March	"Begone, Dull Care" (until 1968, 2014–present) "The Mercury March" (2013–14)
Anniversaries	24 October (corps birthday)
Insignia
Headdress	Dark blue beret[1]

The badge of The Royal Canadian Corps of Signals consisted of a circle, with a Tudor Crown on top with the text Royal Canadian Corps of Signals around the edge. At the centre of the circle is the Roman God Mercury. At the bottom is a ribbon with the text "Velox, Versutus, Vigilans" and eight maple leaves. The Royal Canadian Corps of Signals was responsible for land communication and signalling.

History

Major Wallace Bruce Matthews Carruthers established a militia (Non-Permanent Active Militia) component of signallers under the designation "Signalling Corps" on 24 October 1903,[4] making it the first independent signal corps in the British Empire. It was redesignated "The Canadian Signal Corps" on 4 June 1913. On 1 April 1919 as part of the restructuring based on experiences during the Great War, a regular (Permanent Active Militia) component was established as the "Canadian Signalling Instructional Staff". This was redesignated "The Canadian Permanent Signal Corps" on 15 December 1920. Shortly thereafter, on 15 June 1921, King George V, the Canadian monarch, bestowed on the permanent force portion of the organization the title "The Royal Canadian Corps of Signals". Meanwhile, on 1 August 1921, the militia component was re-titled "Canadian Corps of Signals"; redesignated "Royal Canadian Corps of Signals" on 29 April 1936 (as part of the larger military restructuring that year); and finally aligned in nomenclature with the regular component as "The Royal Canadian Corps of Signals" on 22 March 1948, after the conclusion of the Second World War.[3]

Korean War

In June 1950 North Korea invaded South Korea, initiating a conflict that became the Korean War. A United Nations-led coalition was formed with 16 countries providing troops. Canada was one of the countries to intercede in the conflict. Over 26,700 Canadian troops served as part of the British Commonwealth Forces Korea. The Royal Canadian Corps of Signals (RCCS) was disbursed among the Canadian regiments as well as some American units and contributed to the overall success of the UN mission.

Signalers served the war effort with distinction in multiple battles, one of which was the Battle for Kapyong. The PPCLI, with their attached Signalers, held their position against a much larger enemy force during the first North Korean spring offensive. With such efforts by the PPCLI and Signalers, The UN mission stopped North Korean aggression and subsequently provided deterrence that lead to an armistice, signed on 27 July 1953. This armistice is still in effect.[5] RCSIGS.CA

Post-War

During the 50s and 60s, the RCCS operated Emergency Government Headquarters, nicknamed "Diefenbunkers", that served to ensure the continuity of government at the height of the Cold War.[6] The RCCS operated the Ennadai Lake Radio Station (VEJ) from the summer of 1949 until 18 September 1954 when it was turned over to the Department of Transportation.[7] When the Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Air Force and Royal Canadian Navy were unified in 1968 to form the Canadian Forces, the RCCS was amalgamated into the Canadian Forces' Communications and Electronics Branch. On 19 April 2013, Minister of National Defence, Peter MacKay, announced that the historical designation of "Royal Canadian Corps of Signals" would be restored for the army component within the Communications and Electronics Branch.[8]

Structure

• 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signal Squadron
• 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signal Squadron
• 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signal Squadron
• 31 Signal Regiment
• 32 Signal Regiment
• 33 Signal Regiment
• 36 Signal Regiment
• 38 Signal Regiment
• 39 Signal Regiment
• 41 Signal Regiment
• 21 Electronic Warfare Regiment
  • Regimental Headquarters (Regular)
  • 211 Electronic Warfare Squadron (Regular)
  • 212 Electronic Warfare Squadron (Regular)
  • 214 Electronic Warfare Squadron (Reserve)
  • 215 Electronic Warfare Squadron (Regular)
  • 218 Combat Service Support Squadron (Regular)

Colonels-in-Chief

• Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood (1940–1965)

Notable former members

• William Arthur Steel – An officer with the RCCS during World War I and radio pioneer.
• Jack Kane – He was Anglo-Canadian arranger, conductor and clarinetist who served with the trumpet band from 1942 to 1945.[9]
• James Gayfer – Served with the RCCS trumpet band in Europe. He was also the Director of the Band of The Canadian Guards in the 1950s and early 60s.[10]

See also

• List of Canadian organizations with royal prefix
• Communications Security Establishment
• Band of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals

References

1. Government of Canada, National Defence (2019-04-15). "Article | Army returns to dark blue or khaki berets for Foot Guards and technical corps". www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca. Retrieved 2019-04-24.
2. "Termium Plus: Royal Canadian Corps of Signals". The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
3. The Regiments and Corps of The Canadian Army (Queen's Printer, 1964)
4. http://www.cmhg.gc.ca/cmh/page-587-eng.asp Canadian Military Life After South Africa
5. C&E Museum
6. Joshua, Foer (2016-09-20). Atlas Obscura. Thuras, Dylan,, Morton, Ella. New York. ISBN 9780761169086. OCLC 959200507.
7. Crowe, Keith J. (1991). A history of the original peoples of northern Canada (2 ed.). McGill-Queen's Press. p. 180. ISBN 0-7735-0880-5.
8. Restoring the historical designations of Canadian Army organizations.
9. "Jack Kane". The Canadian Encyclopedia.
10. Betty Nygaard King. "James Gayfer". The Canadian Encyclopedia.

External links

• Communications and Electronics Museum
• 1924 Northwest Territories and Yukon Radio System NWT Historical Timeline, Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
• RC Sigs Militaria Web Site