- 68 Signal Squadron
68 Signal Squadron is a British
Territorial Army ("TA") unit of theRoyal Corps of Signals . It operates out of two locations: a townhouse inLincoln's Inn , Central London, and (some thirty kilometers away) a more barrack-style premises inWhipps Cross ,Leytonstone in East London. It is attached to 71 (Yeomanry) Signal Regiment (Volunteers).It is usually referred to as 68 Squadron (typically by the
Non-commissioned officers and Other Ranks) and asInns of Court and City Yeomanry (by the Officer's Mess).It is the current manifestation of two formerly separate units that were merged in 1961: the Inns of Court Yeomanry, and the City of London Yeomanry (more familiarly known as the Rough Riders).
The Inns of Court Regiment can trace its history back to
Elizabethan times to a Volunteer Rifle Corps and is by its name very closely associated with the legal community. In 1585, 95 members of the Inn entered into a solemn pledge to defend queen Elizabeth against the threat ofSpain . From then onwards, in times of national peril volunteers were recruited among lawyers. George III is reputed to have styled such a body as the Devil's Own, a title that lives on today.The City of London Yeomanry was raised from volunteers of the 20th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry which served with distinction in the
Second Boer War inSouth Africa . Its nickname of "Rough Riders" was taken from a body of volunteer horsemen who fought in theSpanish-American War of1898 .During the period of reduction of TA units between 1967 and 1969 it had the status of a cadre, but it spirit and purpose was kept alive by the active participation of its personnel, until it was re-constituted as a TA unit under its present name.
Each year the squadron contributes a mounted detachment to the
Lord Mayor's Show that processes through theCity of London , as well as providing radio operators and equipment to assist in communications.The unit is also affiliated with a local Army Cadet Force unit - 35 Signal Squadron From the City of london and North East Sector ACF. Who parade at the whipps cross site, and share the name and cap badge of 68 Squadron.
External links
*http://www.army.mod.uk/royalsignals/68sigsqn/
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.