The Patron of The Association is Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal.

The President of The Association is the Master of Signals.

Background

The Royal Signals Association (RSA) was formed in 1920 at the birth of the Corps from the Royal Engineers. The objects of The Association are:

To provide comfort and relief either generally or individually to past and present signallers and their dependants who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress.

To help maintain and improve the efficiency and morale of the Corps by providing contact between past and present signallers and arranging social gatherings for them.

Structure

Working under Regimental Headquarters, based in Blandford Camp, Dorset, are the Welfare Section and the Branches and Membership Section.

The Welfare Section assists signallers by way of grants of money or paying for items to reduce hardship and distress.

The Branches and Membership Section maintains records of all the branches, plus affiliate associations, located throughout the country, plus their members. Any person who served with the Corps (Regular, National Service or TA), including ATS and WRAC is eligible and welcome to join The Association.

Branches

Every branch has an elected committee and is largely self supporting. Most have their own standard, which is paraded at special events, including Remembrance Day and the annual Old Comrades Reunion at Blandford. Each branch is answerable to its Area Representative, who in turn, is on The RSA Central Committee.

Reunion

The Corps Reunion for RSA members is held annually on the last full weekend of June at the home of The Royal Corps of Signals at Blandford. Typically, over 900 members and spouses attended the event and it is an excellent event. Please write to; RSA, RHQ R SIGNALS, Blandford Camp, Dorset DT11 8RH to be put on the mailing list for details and application forms for the next Reunion. Regrettably, accommodation cannot be provided, but a list of local B & B is available on request.

Finance

The main source of income for The Association is by serving soldiers, who contribute to Corps Funds through the "Days Pay Scheme" - basically a days pay is contributed every year. This is supplemented by miscellaneous donations from branches and individuals, plus the occasional legacy. All such donations are most gratefully received and are put to very good use.

ROYAL SIGNALS ASSOCIATION BRANCHES

The content of this page has been reproduced with the kind permission of Col. Cliff Walters (Retd.) of the Royal Signals Museum.