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Association appoints a new President

Bill Cunningham
Bill Cunningham Past President

Thirty four years ago I was tasked with the problem of taking over a unique Squadron doing a unique job in Germany. The Squadron having recently arrived in Dortmund from Shoeburyness.

I went to see the Squadron in Shoeburyness before I took over, I can only say that because their role was totally unique, one off, no other in the Royal Signals. The thought of it was to me, rather awe inspiring. But when I actually got to Dortmund it was my very great pleasure and I do mean great pleasure.

I think if I use the words 'looked after' approximately 190 people through thick and thin in that two and a half years I was in Dortmund. People came people went we did all sorts of things. Our sports teams used to beat the Gunners every year but I had to be careful because the first six years of my service was with the Royal Artillery that's why I think I was sent to 260.

You just can't think of the joy I felt, and I must admit when one used to get around 260 in Dortmund the average age of our soldiers at that time was pretty young and this was really a massive output of genuine tradesmen from the troop which was a super regiment, and of course most of them being fairly young there are two stories that I shall never forget as long as I live.

The first was a story that I was told by signallers to others over the reasons why they should remember to come in the main gates from the street and walk in front of the RHQ building which is on your left, since on the right hand side there were two fairly deep monsoon ditches. The Signallers say the real reason they were there, was so that when the Gunners marched into camp they could swing their arms.

The second story and apologies for this. You will remember in the compound where the Gunners had there were two radars on constant watch, one was called Noddy and the other Big Ears. When new Signalmen joined the Squadron on their first tour they were always told that if they ever saw Big Ears rotating they must turn away quickly and put their hands across a certain part of their anatomy in case they were made sterile.

I could go on all night with stories from 260 but I won't.

I am actually terribly proud of ones dutiful record of achievement and you know, one of the proudest moments I had was in August 1973 when we returned to Gutersloh from Belfast on that beautiful sunny day onboard the Britannia aircraft run by the Royal Air Force and every Soldier walked down the gangway, nobody was in a wooden box. And what amused me was watching as everyone trooped down from the aircraft they knelt down and kissed the tarmac. I though that was rather good, anyway to cut a long story short that was the end of my time with 260 in November 1973.

But it gave me even greater pleasure about seven years ago I think, was seeing a notice in the WIRE asking for people who had served in 260 to contact a certain person sitting over there, namely Roy Andrews, and would they like to have a meeting and of course as we have already described the first meeting was at Lutterworth and over those years since then it has, given me very great pleasure to come to these functions and as long as I do this, and look at faces I do recognise many, but boy don't ask me to look at the bodies.

So anyway as I am standing down as President I would commend to you Stan Howard.


Stan Howard President

Stanley Jack Howard's army career began in 1962 when he joined the Army Apprentice School Harrogate and trained as a Telegraph Operator.

In February 1965 he was posted to 15 Signal Regt in Aden and promoted to LCpl in 1966. His next posting was in March 1967 when he moved to 7 Signal Regiment in Herford and promoted to Cpl later that same year.

Two years later Stan was on the move again and in June 1969 he was posted to 606 Primary Forward Air Control Troop Bahrain but Stan didn't stay in the sun for very long because in April 1970 he received notice that he was to join the greatest Squadron in all the Corps 260 Signal Squadron (SAM) at Shoeburyness. Stan moved with the Squadron to Dortmund in 1971 and worked on the D11.

In March 1972 Stan was promoted to Sgt and posted to 37 Signal Regt (V) Bristol as a PSI. In November 1975 he was posted to 30 Signal Regt Blandford where he travelled the whole world providing HF Comms for Exercises and Operations.


Stan Howard

In October 1978 he moved to the School of Signals Blandford on the Yeoman of Signals Course. On completion of the course in July 1979 he was posted to 2 Div HQ & Sig Regt Bunde as SSgt (Yof S).

In October 1981 Stan was promoted to WO2(Y of S ) and posted to Gurkha Sig Regt Hong Kong. In March 1984 he was posted to 2 Div HQ & Sig Regt York for 6 months awaiting promotion. In October 1985 he was promoted to WO1 (Y of S) posted to HQ UKLF Comms Branch Wilton.

In March 1987 Stan received his Commission and promoted to Captain (Traffic Officer) and carried out a four month tour in the Falklands.

In August 1987 Stan was posted to HQ 4 Signal Group Rheindahlen as Ptarmigan Projects Officer. In October 1989 he was posted to Joint Comcen HMS Tamar Hong Kong as Hd of Comcen and Crypto Custodian for the Far East.

In March 1993 he was posted to 240 Sig Sqn (2 Sig Bde NC ) York as Traffic Officer and Custodian and in September 1993 promoted to Major and appointed as OC 240 Sig Sqn.

In September 1996 he was posted to HQ Defence Communication Services Agency in Corsham as Quality Officer for Army Fixed Communications. This was an unaccompanied posting.

In July 1999 Stan retired from the Army 2 years prematurely in order to be with family.

In September 1999 Stan joined a Traffic Survey Company based near Leeds as the Quality, Safety and Environmental Manager.

In May 2005 Stan was appointed President of 260 Signal Squadron (SAM) Royal Signals Association.

In his own words Stan writes: " In June 2003 I suffered a minor brain stroke and as a consequence have retrograde amnesia. This means anything before the stroke is a blank. But life is good and no matter what can't be remembered from the past doesn't stop you leading a happy and useful life. To prove the point I have the honour to be the President of the 260 Signal Squadron (SAM) Association. A privilege not to be taken lightly.

May I give all members of the Association an assurance that I am here to serve and be of use in any way that will benefit the members and maintain the integrity and honourable status of 260 Signal Squadron (SAM). "

Stan


260 Signal Squadron (SAM) Royal Signals Association