User:TheMasterGuru/sandbox

The squadron's antecedent, the Essex Yeomanry, was first raised as local Yeomanry Cavalry Troops in Essex in 1797. After periods of disbandment and re-formation, it was reconstituted as the Essex Imperial Yeomanry in 1902 following the experience of the Second Boer War, and became the Essex Yeomanry upon joining the Territorial Force in 1908. It served as cavalry on the Western Front throughout the First World War, and as Royal Horse Artillery in North Africa, Italy, Burma, and North-West Europe during the Second World War. Full details of this operational history are covered in the Essex Yeomanry article.

Following the 1966 Defence White Paper, the Territorial Army was substantially reorganised and reduced in 1967. As part of this restructuring, the Essex Yeomanry — which had been re-raised post-war as the 304th (Essex Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, with headquarters at Chelmsford — lost its artillery role and was reduced to squadron status. On 1 April 1967, the Essex Yeomanry lineage transferred into the Royal Corps of Signals as 70 (Essex Yeomanry) Signal Squadron, forming part of the newly created 71 (Yeomanry) Signal Regiment when that regiment was constituted in 1969.

The squadron was based at Chelmsford, with troops at Southend-on-Sea and Harlow, reflecting the geographic spread of Essex Yeomanry recruitment across the county. Members of the new squadron wore Royal Corps of Signals cap badges but retained the rifle green beret and other dress distinctions of the Essex Yeomanry.

70 (Essex Yeomanry) Signal Squadron remained part of 71 (Yeomanry) Signal Regiment for most of this period, with a brief interruption following the Options for Change defence review in 1992, when it was temporarily transferred to 38 Signal Regiment. It returned to 71 Regiment in 1994 following the TA restructuring of that year.

Squadron headquarters and 881 Troop were located in Chelmsford, with 882 Troop based in Harlow.

On 25 April 2009, 70 (Essex Yeomanry) Signal Squadron was awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Harlow, recognising the long association between the Essex Yeomanry lineage and the town.

On 3 July 2013, as part of the Army 2020 Reserve structure changes announced by the Ministry of Defence, it was confirmed that the Essex Yeomanry troop would be re-subordinated from 68 (Inns of Court, City & Essex Yeomanry) Signal Squadron to 36 Signal Squadron, then part of 37th Signal Regiment.

36 Signal Squadron had previously been the 36th (Eastern) Signal Regiment — a Territorial Army regiment formed in 1967 from the amalgamation of several East of England signal units, which had been reduced to squadron status in 2009 as part of the same Royal Signals reorganisation. Under the Army 2020 changes, 36 Signal Squadron was transferred from 37th Signal Regiment to 71 (Yeomanry) Signal Regiment, and upon receiving 907 (Essex Yeomanry) Signal Troop from Chelmsford in April 2014, was formally redesignated 36 (Essex Yeomanry) Signal Squadron.

Re-subordination of 907 Troop commenced in April 2014, with members reverting to the rifle green beret with Royal Signals cap badge and adopting the Essex Yeomanry stable belt. The squadron conducted its first Annual Deployment Exercise under its new designation in September 2014, and was expected to be fully integrated in terms of dress and organisation by 2015.

The squadron's current structure is as follows:

• Squadron Headquarters, at Colchester
• 845 (East Anglian) Signal Troop, at Chelmsford

The squadron is based at the Army Reserve Centre on Circular Road, Colchester, with 845 Troop located at the Army Reserve Centre on Colchester Road, Springfield, Chelmsford.

Members of 36 (Essex Yeomanry) Signal Squadron wear the Royal Corps of Signals cap badge on the rifle green beret of the Essex Yeomanry, continuing a tradition established when the squadron was first formed in 1967. The Essex Yeomanry stable belt is worn by entitled members of the squadron. These distinctions are worn alongside standard Royal Signals uniform and are actively encouraged within the squadron as a link to the Essex Yeomanry's long history.

'B' Company, Essex Army Cadet Force, holds an affiliation with the Essex Yeomanry and is formally designated 'B' (EY) Company. Adult instructors of the company are entitled to wear the Essex Yeomanry stable belt.

The regimental war memorials to Essex Yeomen who died in the First World War and Second World War are located in St Peter's Chapel, Chelmsford Cathedral, along with individual memorials to Lance Corporal Harold Mugford VC, Brigadier-General Sir Richard Colvin, and Colonel Sir Francis Whitmore. A memorial window to Sir Richard Colvin is in the Lady Chapel of Waltham Abbey Church.

The Essex Yeomanry Association is open to former members of the Essex Yeomanry and its successor units, including 36 (Essex Yeomanry) Signal Squadron.

• Essex Yeomanry
• 71st (City of London) Yeomanry Signal Regiment
• 36th (Eastern) Signal Regiment
• Royal Corps of Signals
• Army Reserve (United Kingdom)