History Oveview

104 Signal Squadron and 1^st Combat Signal Regiment

By Denis Hare

Brief History - 104 Signal Squadron

104 Sig Sqn was raised for service in South Vietnam at Wacol,  Brisbane, Queensland in November 1965.  It replaced 103 Sig Sqn in South Vietnam in April 1967 and only return to Australia after the Australian Task Force involvement creased, in November 1971.  104 Sig Sqn has the distinction as the longest serving (5 years and 8 months) active service tactical signals unit in the Australian Army - both past and present.  After service in South Vietnam 104 Sig Sqn return to Australia and was located at Ingleburn, then Holsworthy, both near Sydney supporting the 1^st  Brigade [Renamed 1st Australian Task Force (1ATF) that served in South Vietnam] until the Brigade and its Signal Squadron relocated to Darwin in the late 1990's.

On the 16 October 1986, a memorial stone was laid at Malaya Barracks, Holsworthy (Sydney), NSW, by 104 Signal Squadron past and present members to honour the mates we lost in South Vietnam .   The memorial stone was unveiled by the first Commanding Officer of 104 Signal Squadron, Lt Col D. I. Godden.

Brief History - 1^st Command Support Regiment

In the late 1990's 104 Sig Sqn was moved to Darwin and rename A Squadron (A Sqn) , 1^st Command Support Unit (1CSU) as part of a trial of a single major support unit in support of a Brigade HQ.  With the success of the Army trial of 1CSU in Darwin, 1CSU was re-designated the 1^st Command Support Regiment (1CSR).  

Current members of The Royal Australian Corps of Signals worked hard to restore history and in late 1999 the memorial stone to 104 Sig Sqn Vietnam war dead,  was moved to Darwin and proudly located at  Support Squadron, 1CSR.  More work was done and in late 2001, 'A Sqn' was proudly renamed '104 Signal Squadron'.  

The 1CSR training room was name the 'The Alexander Young Training Room' and the name of the 1CSR boozer, once establish,   'Abraham Club' is the next goal.

The Alexander Young Training Room, 104 Sig Sqn, 1CSR, Palmerston, Darwin

 Major James Roche (OC) and Signalman Little (Youngest Soldier) cutting
the 104 Sig Sqn 36^th Birthday Cake on the 30 November 2001

Denis Hare with the memorial to 104 Sig Sqn war dead, at 1CSR,
Robertson Barracks, Palmerston, Darwin in July 2002

   
Click for Large View
Signs of 104 Sig Sqn in Darwin

Update Nov 2008  

1^st Command Support Regiment renamed 1^st Combat Signal Regiment

All the Signal Task Force Units from the South Vietnam era are now part of a Combat Signal Regiment, as follows:

103 Sig Sqn now part of 3CSR supporting 3 Brigade in Townsville
104 Sig Sqn now part of 1CSR supporting 1 Brigade in Darwin
139 Sig Sqn now part of 7CSR supporting 7 Brigade in Brisbane

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