It has probably been a while since most of you have seen a copy of the WIRE so I thought I would take this opportunity to give you a chance to grab a brief glimpse of what one looks like now.

It has changed somewhat since our time. Gone are the day's of the Blue and White bands across the cover with the bold Red title. The magazine now has lots of coloured photos, more storys than ever before and you may be confused to find that many of the familiar units have changed locations. 1 Div is now in Herford. 11 Sigs in Blandford. The price hasn't changed though. (No it hasn't Roy!) It still keeps going up!

Would you like to renew your subscription to the WIRE? The magazine comes out (Bi-monthly) Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, and Dec.) Current annual subscription is £12. Remittances should be made payable to the Royal Signals Benevolent Fund. But don't send them to us please. You must send your subscriptions to.

The Wire R.H.Q..Royal.Signals Blandford Camp Blandford Forum DT11 8RH, Dorset. Tel. 01258-82087

Are you receiving your copy of the WIRE? have you changed your address and forgotten to inform RHQ or perhaps you need to renew your subscription. Call the WIRE Office on 01258 482087.

Do you have a story you would like published in our own Newsletter 260 Squadron News?

Click to E-Mail the 260 Assocation Wire Correspondent

Greetings Folks

My Name is Steve Freeman - Pannett but you probably remember me best as FP like most people still do.

I entered the Squadron lines in Horseshoe Barracks in April 1970 having just been posted from 50 Missile Regt R.A., (I must have been good to them or someone in R.Signals records didn't like me) . I was an Electrician Driver and a member of X Troop. My wife Ulla and I with our two boys Mickl and Jon settled down in Leigh-On Sea.

Whilst based in Shoeburyness I did a sight seeing tour of Germany with the Regiment in June - July 70 and took with me (in the back of my truck of course) the car belonging to Lady Penelope from the Studio's of "Thunderbirds Are Go" and we displayed the car at a military exibition at Hone Ranges near Celle about half way through the tour.

The Surface to Air Missile used by our parent unit 36 Heavy Air Defence Regiment R.A. was named 'THUNDERBIRD II' and we are not sure if the television series was named after the missile or vice versa. One thing is for sure the Regiment shared the title music with the puppet series when it adopted the Thunderbirds theme as it's Regimental March.

Whilst serving with the Squadron in 1973, I did a tour of duty in Northern Ireland and was attached to HQ Bty aboard the former prision ship HMS Maidstone in Belfast Harbour. My duties mostly consisted of driving trucks backwards and forwards between Belfast and Aldergrove Airport ferrying all the lucky lads going home on R&R. I left the Squadron in October 1973 on a posting to 14 Signal Regt at Norton Barracks Worcester.

As one of the founder members of the Squadron Association I was asked if I would like to take on the job of Correspondent and do write ups from the Squadron Meetings for publication in the 'WIRE' and maybe a twice yearly Squadron Newsletter. Also with my son Jon's help we set up the first Association web site.

At the AGM in April 2003 I was elected Vice Chairman of 260 Signal Squadron (SAM) RSA adding another string to my bow.

Ulla and I are Life Members of the Royal Signals Association and we both attend most Corps Reunions at Blandford so we may see you there.

Hilda Cairns and Ulla Freeman - Pannett at the Signals Museum at Blandford June 2001. Click on the photo to enlarge

Ulla and Steve at the Blandford Memorial during the 2001 Royal Corps of Signals Reunion weekend. Click on the photo to enlarge

If you have any story's or information you wish to have published in our twice yearly newsletter 260 Sqaudron News please get in touch with me via email by clicking on the spinning @ or if you prefer you can reach me at Tel. 01603 300027.

The success of the newsletter is dependent on the imput sent in from you the members.

Best regards

FP.