1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signal Squadron

1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signal Squadron
Quartier général et Escadron des transmissions du 1er Groupe-brigade mécanisé du Canada (French)
The crest of 1 CMBG Headquarters and Signal Squadron
Active	1958–present
Country	Canada
Branch	Communications and Electronics Branch
Type	Military communications
Role	The provisioning of communications, security and service support to the commander of 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group and his staff.
Part of	1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group
Garrison/HQ	CFB Edmonton
Motto(s)	Velox, Versutus, Vigilans (Swift, Skilled, Alert)
Branch colors	French grey and dark blue
March	"Begone Dull Care"
Mascot(s)	Jimmy
Engagements	Bosnia-Herzegovina Operation Palladium Kosovo Operation Kinetic War in Afghanistan (2001–2014) Operation APOLLO Operation ATHENA Operation Mountain Thrust Operation Zahara Battle of Panjwaii Domestic Operations 1997 Red River flood Operation Assistance Ice Storm of 1998 Operation Recuperation
Commanders
Commanding Officer	Major C.J.I. Gergely
Regimental Sergeant Major	Chief Warrant Officer G.D. Given

1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signal Squadron is a Regular Force army unit of the Canadian Armed Forces at CFB Edmonton. The squadron is part of 3rd Canadian Division's 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (1 CMBG).

History

1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signal Squadron traces its heritage back to the formation of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals on 24 October 1903. ^[1] Before the end of the Second World War, small signal sections provided tactical communications for the Canadian Army's various brigade headquarters. After the war, brigade communication requirements expanded significantly, and it became necessary for the army to expand these sections into squadrons.

In 1958, as part of the reorganization of the Canadian Army, 1 Signal Squadron was formed from elements of the 1 Canadian Divisional Signal Regiment, in Borden, Ontario and was relocated Calgary, Alberta by the end of the year. ^[2]

Initially, 1 Signal Squadron was a separate unit from the brigade group headquarters. In 1972, for reasons of efficiency and cost effectiveness, 1 Combat Group Headquarters and 1 Signal Squadron were combined into 1 Combat Group Headquarters and Signal Squadron. ^[3] In 1978, the unit was redesignated 1 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters and Signal Squadron, and took its current name in 1992, becoming the 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signal Squadron. ^[4]

Commanding officers

1 Signal Squadron ^[2]

• Major A.P. Cote, May 1958 – July 1959
• Major E.G. Coombe, July 1959 – June 1962
• Major D.C. Coughtry, June 1962 – August 1964
• Major B.H. Bennett, August 1964 – May 1965
• Major P.H. Sutton, January 1966 – July 1967
• Major J.D.B. Kent, July 1967 – March 1969
• Captain J.H. Racine, March 1969 – July 1969
• Major G.L. Mowry, July 1969 – July 1971
• Major A.J. Freeman, July 1971 - December 1972

1 Combat Group Headquarters and Signal Squadron ^[3]

• Maj A.J. Freeman, December 1972 - July 1973
• Major D.R.A. McLean, July 1973 – April 1975
• Captain Routledge, April 1975 – February 1976
• Major J.M. Savage, February 1976 – July 1978
• Maj P.P.A.J.D. Boudreau, July 1978 - December 1978

1 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters and Signal Squadron ^[4]

• Major P.P.A.J.D. Boudreau, December 1978 - July 1981
• Major J.N. Brittain, July 1981 – July 1983
• Major L.M. Juteau, July 1983 – July 1985
• Major J. Holt, July 1985 – July 1988
• Major H.W. Coyle, July 1988 – July 1990
• Major R.W. Wright, July 1990 – July 1992
• Major R.C. Johnston, July 1992 - August 1992

1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signal Squadron ^[5]

• Maj R.C. Johnston, August 1992 - July 1994
• Major A.A. McPhee, July 1994 – July 1997
• Major B.K. Green, July 1997 – July 1998
• Major S.W. Hall, July 1998 – February 2000
• Major R.T. Williams, February 2000 – July 2000
• Major P.R. Bossé, July 2000 – July 2002
• Lieutenant-Colonel A.H.J. Schwab, July 2002 – June 2004
• Major J. Blythe, June 2004 – December 2006
• Lieutenant-Colonel G.T. Whelan, December 2006 – August 2008
• Lieutenant-Colonel P.R.T Whynacht, August 2008 – June 2010
• Major N.Y. Lemieux, June 2010 – January 2011
• Lieutenant-Colonel L.M. Smid, January 2011 – June 2013
• Major J.Y.A. Côté, June 2013 – June 2015
• Major W.K.E. Jull, June 2015 – 2017
• Major J.C. Gash, June 2017 – June 2018
• Major B.N. Blyth, June 2018 – Aug 2020
• Major R.W. Thompson, Aug 2020 – June 2022
• Major G.J. Barr, June 2022 – August 2024
• Major C.J.I. Gergely, August 2024 – Present

Regimental sergeants major

1 Signal Squadron ^[2]

• WO2 S. Reading, 1958 – 1959
• WO2 G.E. Wilson, 1959–1960
• WO2 K.F. NcKnight, 1960 – 1961
• WO2 W. Shannon, 1961 – 1963
• WO2 J.M. Blair, 1963 – 1965
• WO2 E.G. Chartrand, 1965 – 1967
• MWO B. Murphy, 1967–1969
• MWO Clark, 1969 – 1972
• MWO H. Searls, 1972

1 Combat Group Headquarters and Signal Squadron ^[3]

• MWO H. Searls, December 1972 - June 1975
• CWO B. Janik, June 1975 – June 1978
• CWO W. Kelly, June 1978 – December 1978

1 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters and Signal Squadron ^[4]

• CWO W. Kelly, December 1978 – June 1981
• CWO F.O. Marryatt, June 1981 – July 1986
• CWO S.A. Macaulay, July 1986 – July 1990
• CWO J.E. Pollock, July 1990 - August 1992

1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signal Squadron ^[5]

• CWO J.E. Pollock, August 1992 - September 1994
• CWO J.C. Browne, September 1994 – March 1997
• MWO A.H. Whittal, March 1997 – August 1997
• CWO H.D. Elhorn, August 1997 – February 2000
• MWO R.F. Phillips, February 2000 – June 2000
• CWO J.M. Laviolette, June 2000 – July 2003
• CWO V.W. Kelley, June 2003 – February 2005
• CWO A.O. Lopes, February 2005 – April 2006
• CWO R.J. Richard, January 2006 – November 2007
• CWO W.A. Brown, November 2007 – June 2010
• CWO F.I.E. Petzold, June 2010 – October 2011
• CWO P.C. West, October 2011 – June 2013
• CWO R.S. Guérin, June 2013 – June 2015
• CWO T.F. Stevens, June 2015 – June 2018
• CWO S.B. Edwards, June 2018 – July 2021
• CWO S.R.J. Loyer, July 2021 – May 2023
• CWO G.D. Given, May 2023 – Present

References

1. National Defence, Canadian Army (25 February 2013). "1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signal Squadron". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
2. "1 Signal Squadron - RCSigs.ca". www.rcsigs.ca. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
3. "1 Combat Group Headquarters and Signal Squadron - RCSigs.ca". www.rcsigs.ca. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
4. "1 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters and Signal Squadron - RCSigs.ca". www.rcsigs.ca. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
5. "1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signal Squadron - RCSigs.ca". www.rcsigs.ca. Retrieved 28 October 2024.

See also

• 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group