Squadron History

The 3rd County of London Imperial Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) were raised in 1900 as Imperial Yeomanry for the Boer War where they served with the Kent Yeomanry regiments.

The Kent Yeomanry became one single Regiment at the outset of the First World War and served with the 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) in the Yeomanry Division at Gallipoli and at the capture of Jerusalem.

Both the kent Yeomanry and the Sharpshooters saw service during the Second World War in France, North Africa and Normandy, Italy and Germany.

In 1926 the London and Kent Artillery were constituted as 65th Field Brigade and they became the first TA Regiment to be mechanised. As such they fought at Dunkirk, in North Africa and in Western Europe.

In 1969 elements amalgamated to become 265 (Kent and County of London Yeomanry) Signal Squadron, with a headquarter Squadron being added later on.

In 2006 265 (Kent and County of London Yeomanry) Signal Squadron and Headquarters (Kent and County of London Yeomanry) Squadron amalgamated into 265 (Kent and County of London Yeomanry) Support Squadron.

The Squadron is now based at Bexleyheath.

Our Role

Our role involves providing Information Communication Systems (ICS) and logistical support to the emergency services and to the local government in the even of an emergency.

In recent years the Brigade has been involved in the Fireman strikes (OP FRESCO), floods, foot and mouth and the fuel crisis, with soldiers and officers of the Squadron and Regiment being involved in a number of these.

In addition to providing support to the emergency services and the local government the regiment also supports the operations with the regular army.

Recently the regiment has seen its soldiers and officers deployed to the Balkans to form a squadron that is built entirely from TA personnel in 2 (NC) Signal Brigade, also many of our soldiers and officers been to Iraq (Op TELIC) and more recently Afghanistan (Op HERRICK).

Trades

The Squadron can offer the following trades:

• Communications Systems Engineer
• Communications Systems Operator
• Royal Signals Electrician
• Chefs
• Vehicle Mechanic
• Medics
• Military Clerks

 

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