Communications and Communicators

COMMUNICATORS/COMMUNICATIONS 1913

or Those were the Days (of the Signalman)

Written by J. Lucas, Britannia Royal Naval College, Civilian Signal Instructor (ex CCY)

© RN Communications Branch Museum/Library

With the 'Signalman' and his badge of crossed flags almost no longer in evidence, and the pre-dominant badge of the 'Communicator' being that of the old Wireless Telegraphist, it seems that the branch and its badges have completely reversed from the times mentioned in the following extracts from K.R. and A.I. dated 13 June 1913.

By the way, this KR and AI was signed by such notables as First Lord - Winston S. Churchill, First Sea Lord - Louis Battenberg (Lord Louis's father) and Admiral J.R. Jellicoe.

Control of Signalling - was vested in the Signal Lieut. (who was usually either a R.M. Officer or a Torpedo Officer) the Signal Boatswain, or Senior Signal Rating who was responsible for:-
(a) All signalling, except actual transmission by Wireless.
(b) Reporting signals to Admiral/Captain, in their sequences of urgency.
(c) Despatching of all messages, and informing Wireless Office of movements of all ships.
With this object therefore the Signal Officer, or Senior Signal Rating was entitled at anytime to have complete access to the Wireless Office, and to give orders to the Telegraphists, in respect of the sequence in which messages were to be despatched, and other matters of kindred nature.

Apart from above, the control of exercising and training of the Wireless Telegraphists was under either the Warrant Telegraphist, Torpedo Lieut. or Senior Wireless rating. Telegraphists were also to fall in for Divisions with the Signal Division and were to be part of that Division for disciplinary organisation.

Signal Log - was an accurate log of all signals, except those W/T messages which were logged in the W/T log. The Signal Log was similar to the present day Deck Log, and such things as Ship Movements, Gun Salutes fired, Lighthouses/Lights sighted and passed were entered. Flagships' logs were kept for five years and other ships' for three years.

Signal Books - Under orders of the Captain, who ordered a stowage for the 'BOX' when in foul weather on the bridge, and they were mustered at the beginning and end of each watch, under the responsibility of the Officer of the Watch.

Training - Wireless ratings as required by Warrant Tel/Torpedo Lieut. Signal ratings by Signal Lieut/Signal Boatswain/Senior signal rating. Signal ratings had to carry out one hour's elementary wireless instruction, and half-an-hour's buzzer per week. 'Backward Exercises' were almost on par with those of today, except that instead of obtaining a certain percentage, one had to obtain a certain number of correct words in 5 minutes. If 90 words were correct the men had one exercise the next week, if 80 words two, 70 words three, under 70 five. Note, that if the Commander-in-Chief desired, any Signalman/Ord. Sig. who was thought to be incapable, was given a Branch change.

Advancement. -
To Signal Lieut. - from Signal Boatswain/Warrant Telegraphists, after LONG and ZEALOUS service.
To Chief Yeoman Signals.Yeoman of Signals - by Signal School.
To Chief P.O. Tel/P.O. Tel by Torpedo School, on same system as for Signal ratings.

Courses:
1. (SIGNAL) Flag Officers/Captains and Commanders, Signal School, Portsmouth.
2. Signal Lieuts. Qualifying, Signal School Portsmouth, plus five weeks Wireless Course at Torpedo School Vernon.
Having qualified they were then Lieut (S).
3. Warrant Telegraphists - selected and trained on course at Torpedo School Vernon.
4. Senior Signal Ratings - at their Signal Schools.
5. Senior Wirelss Ratings - at the Torpedo School.
6. Junior ratings both departments - ships.
Note, that the Wireless Instructors were mainly Royal Marine Officers, and Torpedo Officers.

Ceremonial - COLOURS - all ships were to wear the White Ensign, but the Union Jack was only to be worn at the Jackstaff, 'when thought proper to do so'.

There is no reference in this article of K.R. and A.I. to Half Masting, either Ensign or Jack, or Admiral Flags, Broad Pennant, etc.

Truly, the Communicators have gone a long way since those days, and although each department still has a dig at the other, we are certainly the COMMUNICATIONS BRANCH as a whole today.