Royal Signals Association - West London Branch - History

Early Years in London

The Branch was originally named 'The London Branch' and was formed in the early 1920's. We were one of the first Association branches. It is possible that several of the early Branch members were ex Royal Engineers Signallers who had been transferred into the Corps on its formation. Other RSA branches forming at this time included, Aldershot, Maresfield and Crowborough.

It is believed that the background of the Branch was that it originally formed at Fulham House, which had been the home of 1st Middlesex Volunteer Engineers raised in January 1860, a section of which was the 25th (City of London) Cyclist Battalion, a unit of the Royal Engineers Signal Service.

At the outbreak of hostilities in 1939 the London Branch moved to the Duke of Yorks Barracks, Chelsea, returning to Fulham House in 1947 on the reformation of the Territorial Army, (2nd London) Division. The Chairman and Treasurer at that time was Mr. Alfred Smith and the Secretary: Miss Mary Archer.

Post War

The Branch continued at Fulham House until the host Regiment, 47 (London) Divisional Signals moved to the TA Centre at Lytton Grove, Putney, Fulham House being too small to house all the vehicles. The Branch continued to use the Sergeants Mess for meetings.

In 1967 with the Reorganisation of the TA, 31 (Greater London) Signal Regiment was formed and moved to Merton Road, Southfields, leaving a small R.E.M.E. (LAD) Unit behind at Lytton Grove. With the formation of 31st Signals came several other Associations, namely, Princess Louise Kensington's from 41 PLK Regiment and The Middlesex Yeomanry from 47 (Mdx Yeo) Signal Regiment.

In 1969 the Branch moved its meetings to 10 Signal Regiment at Beavers Lane Camp, Hounslow. The then Chairman was Mr A Smith and the Secretary and Treasurer was Major Mac McQuade. The meetings were first held in the Bruno Club and then transferring to the Civil Service Club, both within the camp. Problems arose because of security fears by the Army and it was decided in 1982 to move to the Royal British Legion Club at Ashford, Middlesex. Our committee then was; Chairman: Major (Retd) John Daw BEM, Secretary: Mr. Cliff Wood. Treasurer: Major Ron (Dusty) Miller TD, Standard Bearer: Mr. Stan Heath.

During this time it was decided that as the Branch had moved further away from the Centre of London and because North and East London Branches had been formed, to change the name of the Branch to the 'West London Branch'.

In the early days the Branch received huge support from Ex Corps members who were Yeoman Warders at HM Tower of London. They were namely, the late Yeoman Warders Len Harvey and Yeoman Gaoler Alan Copestake MVO. And to this day Yeoman Warder John Kenny. The Branch visits the Tower every year.