Signal Division (Royal Navy) facts for kids
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| Division overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1914 |
| Preceding Division |
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| Dissolved | 1964 |
| Superseding agency |
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| Jurisdiction | Government of the United Kingdom |
| Headquarters | Admiralty Building Whitehall London |
| Parent department | Admiralty Naval Staff |
The Signal Division was an important part of the Admiralty Naval Staff. This group was in charge of how the Royal Navy sent and received messages. They managed all naval communications from 1914 until 1964. Their main job was to make sure ships and naval bases could talk to each other safely and clearly.
Contents
The story of the Signal Division began in 1906. That's when the Admiralty, which ran the Royal Navy, created a group called the Signals Committee. This committee first looked into how Royal Navy ships could signal to merchant ships.
From Section to Division
In 1914, as World War I began, the Admiralty War Staff set up a bigger group called the Signal Section. This section handled all communications between land and ships. On August 18, 1917, this group became the Signal Division. Its main tasks were sending and receiving messages to ships at sea and bases on land. They also handled coding and cyphering these messages to keep them secret.
Name Changes Over Time
The division's name changed a few times. In September 1919, it was called the Communications Division. Then, in 1927, it went back to being the Signal Section. It stayed this way until 1941, when it became the Signal Division again. It continued as a key part of the Naval Staff until 1964. At that time, the Admiralty Department was closed. A new Navy Department was created within the Ministry of Defence.
What the Signal Division Did
Starting in August 1917, the Signal Division had many important jobs. They were responsible for all naval communications. This included messages for the Royal Navy, merchant ships, and allied forces. It also covered messages between the Navy and the Army.
Key Responsibilities
- Wireless (Radio) Signals: They managed all radio communications. This included giving out special call signs for ships and stations.
- Sound Signals: They handled signals sent using sound, like underwater sonar.
- Visual Signals: This involved signals sent using flags, lights, or other visual methods. They also assigned special flags called "pendants."
- Secret Messages: They were in charge of private and recognition signals. These were used to identify ships or send secret messages.
- Signal Books and Codes: The division created and managed all the official signal books. They also developed and used secret codes and cyphers. These were complex ways to hide messages.
- Message Handling: They set the rules for how messages were written, coded, and sent. This applied to all types of messages, whether by radio, sound, visual means, land lines, or underwater cables.
- Advisory Role: The Signal Division did not directly manage people or equipment. However, they advised other departments that did. These departments would ask the Signal Division for advice when needed.
- Documentation: They handled all paperwork related to signals. This included preparing, printing, and setting up all the necessary books and instructions.
