248 GURKHA SIGNAL SQUADRON

HISTORY

The history of 248 Gurkha Signal Squadron lies within the history of QG Signals. Queen's Gurkha Signals was officially constituted as 17 Gurkha Signal Regiment on 16th October 1953. Amid the Brunei revolt in 1962, 248 Squadron was formed to support 99 Brigade, to suppress the Indonesian backed guerrillas operating in the Sultanate. 248 Squadron was based with 99 Brigade in Kluching, Brunei. The difficult nature of operations in Borneo demanded the highest quality of communications possible and 248 Squadron were worked constantly.

On the 15th August 1969, a Troop from 248 Squadron took over the Brunei COMMCEN from 249 Squadron, which became known as the Brunei Signal Troop and from this day hence all communications to Brunei became the responsibility of the Regiment. 248 Squadron lost its title as 99 Brigade HQ and Signal Squadron in April 1970 before amalgamating with 1 Squadron at the end of 1970. 248 Squadron was reformed in Sham Shui Po Camp, Hong Kong in July 1971. By the mid 70s the withdrawal of the British Army from Malaysia was well under way and the Regiment provided control communications for Exercise Bersatu Padu, a five nation Commonwealth joint service final fling on the East coast of the Malay Peninsula.  The remnants of 17 Gurkha Signal Regiment moved to Hong Kong in September 1971.

The Options for Change radically reduced the size of the Brigade of Gurkhas and consequently the Corps units were beginning the reduction to achieve an establishment of just one squadron by 1997. Queen's Gurkha Signals began its reductions in 1994 when 247 and 248 squadrons amalgamated into one, the Hong Kong Gurkha Signal Squadron, on 1 July 1994, to be based in the Prince of Wales Barracks (formerly Victoria barracks/HMS Tamar).

After the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997, QG Signals remained as just one squadron; 250 GSS in 30 Signal Regiment. Over the years the Regiment started to expand again. In December 2001, 246 GSS was reformed in 2 Signal Regiment in York. Soon after, a plan for reforming yet another Gurkha squadron was drafted. It was then decided that it would be formed in 21 Signal Regiment (Air Support), Colerne by the name of 248 GSS.  The foundation was laid in early 2003 when Capt Yamkumar Gurung led a small team of 15 in Colerne, which was named Juliet Troop. Initially the Troop was integrated into 220 Sig Sqn. Slowly the number increased to 61 GURTAM and 31 UKTAP personnel with the establishment of two troops. The squadron was then equipped with two PTARMIGAN trunk nodes and Signal Channel Radio Access assets. After a long wait of more than a year, on Wednesday 05 May 2004, a welcome parade was formed up under the Union Jack and the members of 21 Sig Regt (AS) and QG Signals.

The reformation of 248 GSS was also marked with separate parades with other QG Signals squadrons on 23 September 2005. The day was also the occasion of the Regiment's 50th birthday which was witnessed by the Colonel in Chief, Princess Ann. By then the Squadron was fully operational with the capabilities of 3 x Trunk Nodes and 1 x SCRA Troop. In late 2006, almost half of the 248 GSS and troops from other squadrons formed the Baghdad Signal Squadron (BSS), prior to deployment on Op TELIC. BSS Squadron deployed to Op TELIC on 07 Jan 2007 under the command of OC 248 GSS, Maj K A Jeeves. Meanwhile the rest of the squadron personnel were preparing for the squadron move to MoD Stafford under the command of the Sqn 2IC, Capt Ratnabahadur Pun, in order to reform 22 Signal Regiment. The reformation of 22 Signal Regiment took place under the command of the Commanding Officer, Lt Col N D Fraser on 27 July 2007. The parade was reviewed by Chief of Land Command, General Redmond Watt KCVO CBE ADC. Among the VIP Guests were; the Master of Signals, General Sam Cowan KCE CBE (Retired), the Signal Officer in Chief, Brigadier Thomas MBE ADC and Comd 1 Signal Brigade, Brigadier N A W Pope.