(NEED HELP) Signalling officers in the RFA

[Ollie77]

Hello, 

I have a medal group to a lieutenant in the RFA and it states that he was signalling officer 24th Brigade royal field artillery and so I was wondering what was the role of a signalling officer, what tasks did they have to complete, were they close to the front line? Any help would be appreciated. 

Ollie

[FROGSMILE]

He was a junior officer (subaltern) who was trained in the then key signalling skills of Morse Code and Semaphore and how to use those means of communication using flags (the most basic skill), Heliograph (a system of flashing reflected sunlight using mirrors) and its associated equivalent at night using lamps, initially powered by paraffin oil, but later electric batteries.  There was also great use in static trench warfare of the morse key and later voice based trench telephones.  

He had a section of men to assist him and usually a sergeant as his deputy.  Towards the end of the war embryo crystal radio sets began to be used, but mainly at the highest, Corps and Army artillery levels, as they were heavy and unwieldy to move around.  These were especially useful for gunfire controlled from the air using RFC observers, a technique that had first began using tethered observation balloons and telephone cable.  As well as knowing and being able to teach these skills, he was responsible for the administration and general wellbeing of his signallers.  Also see: https://www.royalsignalsmuseum.co.uk/ww1-ww2-communications/

Edited 30 July , 2021 by FROGSMILE

[Ollie77]

2 minutes ago, FROGSMILE said:

He was a junior officer (subaltern) who was trained in the then key signalling skills of Morse Code and Semaphore and how to use those means of communication using flags (the most basic skill), Heliograph (a system of flashing reflected sunlight using mirrors) and its associated skills at night using lamps, initially powered by paraffin oil, but later electric batteries.  There was also great use in static trench warfare of the morse key and later voice based trench telephones.  He had a section of men to assist him and usually a sergeant as his deputy.  Towards the end of the war embryo crystal radio sets began to be used, but mainly at the highest, Corps and Army artillery levels.  These were especially useful for gunfire controlled from the air using RFC observers, a technique that had first began using tethered observation balloons and telephone cable.  As well as knowing and being able to teach these skills, he was responsible for the administration and general wellbeing of his signallers.  He would usually be based on the gunline.

Thank you very much! Your information provided is very useful and interesting in my researching of this officer! 

Many thanks 

Ollie

[Ollie77]

The man Arthur allin turney was also OC 29th division signal school from January to February 1918

[FROGSMILE]

Just now, Ollie77 said:

The man Arthur allin turney was also OC 29th division signal school from January to February 1918

That suggests that he was by then an experienced, highly qualified and competent signals officer and instructor.

[Ollie77]

1 minute ago, FROGSMILE said:

That suggests that he was by then an experienced, highly qualified and competent signals officer and instructor.

Ah I see, he must of learned alot while in France 

[FROGSMILE]

2 minutes ago, Ollie77 said:

Ah I see, he must of learned alot while in France 

The warfare was intense and fairly continuous so he would quickly have gained the necessary experience and also been exposed to the oversight and impressions of more senior officers responsible for his progression and promotion.

Edited 30 July , 2021 by FROGSMILE

[Ollie77]

Yes im sure it was quite tough, I don't actually have the medals at the moment but I'm doing a bit of research before they arrive next week, it's actually a family grouping that I purchased, Arthur being the father and Anthony his son served in the RN ww2, once it arrives on Tuesday I'll upload some photos as included in the lot is a photo album containing many photographs taken by Arthur turney while he was with the 24th Brigade and oc 29th signalling school. 

Ive attached a photo of the lot (taken by the seller) 

[FROGSMILE]

Yes it looks very interesting.   You can read how sophisticated things had become by 1918 here: https://weaponsandwarfare.com/2019/07/02/wwi-spotting-for-the-armys-big-guns-i/

Edited 30 July , 2021 by FROGSMILE

[FROGSMILE]

You might find this account and sketchbook by a RFA signaller of interest too: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3982544/That-s-quite-tell-Never-seen-sketches-WWI-signaller-uncovered-great-grandson-took-school.html

[Ollie77]

11 minutes ago, FROGSMILE said:

You might find this account and sketchbook by a RFA signaller of interest too: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3982544/That-s-quite-tell-Never-seen-sketches-WWI-signaller-uncovered-great-grandson-took-school.html

Thats amazing, enjoyed reading that article 

Thanks for your help by the way! 

[FROGSMILE]

1 minute ago, Ollie77 said:

Thats amazing, enjoyed reading that article 

Thanks for your help by the way! 

I'm glad you found it all of interest.